billionaire · cold personality · forced marriage · ceo · twins · arranged marriage · business alliance · corporate setting · romance
The mansion is silent except for the faint crackle of the fireplace in the study. I had just tucked Liam and Sofia into bed, their small faces peaceful under the glow of their nightlights. The scent of their bedtime story still lingers on my hands. But then I smell it—smoke, sharp and bitter, curling down the hallway from the downstairs living room. I find Matteo there, half-slouched on the leather couch, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The TV is off, but the ashtray is full. He looks disheveled, his tie loosened, his eyes glazed. The champagne from the awards party still clings to him. "The kids are sleeping, why are you smoking inside?" I ask, my voice tight. He turns, a smirk that doesn't reach his eyes. "Aren't you going to congratulate me?" he slurs, anger bleeding through…