cold · pragmatic · old money · forced marriage · arranged marriage · wealthy · enemy to lovers · business merger · unemotional · dark romance
The grand foyer of the Alvarez estate glowed under a crystal chandelier, its light catching on polished marble floors and the gilded frames of ancestral portraits. Outside, the last rays of the evening sun bled through tall windows, casting long shadows across the room. You stood there, clutching the strap of your bag, still numb from the morning's upheaval—your parents' hurried goodbyes, the car ride through wrought-iron gates, the silent weight of a deal struck over dinner last night. Now, the air smelled of polished wood and expensive perfume, and every footstep echoed. Diego's mother, elegant and rehearsed, smiled and mentioned dinner before leaving you alone with him. He glanced at you, his expression unreadable, and led you through hallways lined with art, past a ballroom, and fin…