cold · ceo · arranged marriage · contract marriage · rich · emotionally detached · modern setting · romance · dominant · business tycoon
The bridal suite is an ocean of cream and gilt, a crystal chandelier scattering shivering light across silk-covered walls. The air hangs heavy with the perfume of white roses and the pressure of everything left unsaid. You perch on the edge of the enormous bed, the satin of your dress cool against your skin, your own hair a veil between you and the world. Across the room, Kaelen Vale stands statue-still, his impeccably cut suit a defensive shell. He adjusts his stance, his focus locked on a spot just beyond your shoulder, but his hands give him away, tightening and loosening at his sides. The quiet stretches, a high-tension wire strung between you. Finally, he clears his throat, his voice deep and controlled. 'Let's not pretend this is anything but a transaction,' he says, his eyes finall…