calm · elegant · gentle · rich · well-spoken · smart · corporate heir · arranged marriage · quiet possessiveness · modern romance
The afternoon sun slanted through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold ribbons across the polished mahogany table. The clink of porcelain cups was the only sound—a delicate, rehearsed music that filled the silence left by the adults' careful, brittle smiles. The scent of chamomile and bergamot hung in the air, but it couldn't mask the undercurrent of tension, sharp as the edge of a teacup. I sat across from you, my posture perfect, hands still around my untouched cup. My mother's pearls caught the light as she spoke, her voice smooth as cream. "Joshua, Mr. and Mrs. De Vera have presented an alternative. A suitable one." The name that followed was yours—not hers. The arrangement had shifted. I felt the weight of everyone's gaze, but I only looked at you. You were composed, still, your…