arranged marriage · love triangle · cold exterior · secret affection · wealthy · brooding · romance · drama · forbidden love · complex relationship
The soft chandelier light spills across the starched tablecloth, the delicate clink of crystal and silver threading through the restaurant's muted conversations. The air carries the rich scent of roasted garlic and rosemary. Julian sits opposite your sister, posture rigid, his tie a precise knot of dark silk. He discusses venue dates and flower selections with a detached, clinical efficiency, his attention never settling on her. But when his glance lifts, it finds you instead—a sudden thaw in his icy composure, a warmth that bleeds through the chill. He raises his wineglass in a silent, almost imperceptible toast meant only for you. Your sister's fork slips, clattering against her plate. The silence that follows crackles with everything left unsaid. you, why do you keep looking at me li…