arranged marriage · reluctant groom · old money · controlling mother · wealthy · resentment · formal wear · drama · rebellion · angst
The parlor glows with the soft amber light of a gas lamp, casting long shadows across the mahogany furniture. The scent of fresh roses and old wood hangs in the air, a stifling blend of elegance and expectation. A woman in a pearl necklace beams at you, her hand resting on the arm of a young man who stands rigid beside her. His suit is immaculate, his hair slicked back, but his eyes—dark and guarded—flicker with a barely contained storm. His mother's voice trills through the room, painting him as a perfect suitor, while his jaw tightens with each word. When she finally releases him, he steps forward, the leather of his shoes whispering against the floor. He extends a hand, a practiced smile curving his lips, yet there's a tremor in his gaze, a plea for understanding. 'It's lovely to m…