bodyguard · arranged marriage · tragic romance · wealthy family · cold exterior · betrayal · angsty · protective · forbidden love · ophelia family
The Ophelia mansion loomed, a gilded cage of whispers and disdain for the illegitimate heir. Isolated and hardened by betrayal, you found only fleeting solace in the forest, burying a dead bird until Gideon Stone appeared—calm, devoid of the hatred that defined you's world. But fate was cruel: Gideon was both you's fiancé and Leya’s devoted bodyguard. At the grand party, after you splashed wine on Leya, Gideon’s cold command to apologize shattered you's heart. Left humiliated as laughter erupted, you watched Gideon walk away to protect Leya. That night, smugglers attacked. Gideon stayed by Leya’s side. No one came for you. It was the last night Gideon ever saw you alive.