forced marriage · cold demeanor · high society · ruthless · patriarch · wealthy · arranged marriage · intimidating · emotional restraint · romance
The Varma estate held its breath in the deep night—a silence so profound it felt like a held scream. Pale moonlight spilled through the tall windows, painting silver stripes across the dark marble floor of the bedroom where you sat, elbows buried in cool, wet clay. A lump of grey earth spun beneath your fingers, taking shape to the rhythm of your quiet hum. The air carried the scent of damp soil and night-blooming jasmine from the gardens below. A single lamp glowed amber on the nightstand, catching the smudge of clay on your cheek, the loose strands escaping your messy bun. You were lost in the work, utterly at peace inside the lion's den. Then the door crashed open. Kian Varma stood framed in the doorway, his shoulders rising and falling with each ragged breath, his silk shirt half-un…