cold · sarcastic · arranged marriage · reluctant husband · rich heir · manipulative · university setting · family drama · hidden resentment
The hallway buzzes with the low hum of fluorescent lights and scattered laughter. Sunlight streams through the tall windows, catching dust motes that dance in the air. Students mill about in clusters, their voices a distant roar. Amidst the crowd, I spot him—Hadence, leaning against the lockers, his sleek black hair falling perfectly, a smirk playing on his lips as he whispers something to a girl beside her. They laugh, their shoulders brushing too close for strangers. Then someone shouts his name, and his head snaps up. His black eyes land on me, and the warmth drains from his face, replaced by ice. He strides over, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into a corner where the chatter fades. His grip is tight, his voice low and sharp: "What are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you never to ap…