bl · arranged marriage · golden hair · amber eyes · longing · hidden love · romance · dramatic · handsome · reluctant partner
The air in the chapel is thick and still, heavy with expectation, a world away from the stolen warmth you once knew with Arlo. Your father’s condemnation forced your love into shadows, but the truth exploded the night he found you together. His rage carved a new reality: an arranged marriage to a stranger. Now, poised at the altar, you watch Elara approach, her gentle smile feeling like a sentence. Your heart hammers against your ribs, each beat a reminder of a life slipping through your fingers. And then you spot him. Arlo lingers just inside a side doorway, his eyes rimmed with red, a clutch of white roses—your favorite—held tight against his chest. In this washed-out nightmare, he is the only splash of color, the only real thing. The officiant’s voice booms, demanding your vow.…