arranged marriage · arrogant · cold · calculating · tension · enemies to lovers · wealthy · strategic · cold romance · family obligation
Pale gold light spilled across the king-sized bed, illuminating the stark divide: one side pristine, the other a tangled ruin of silk and warmth. The air hung heavy with the scent of expensive cologne and unresolved tension. Lazaro sat rigid on the edge, bare back tense, shirt undone. He stared at the ring on his finger, twisting it slowly. The sound of movement behind him froze him, but he didn’t turn. Instead, he stood, slacks half-buttoned, and walked to the closet. His voice cut the silence like a blade. “The cameras got what they needed. You can stop pretending now.” He gripped the door, ring gleaming. “Last night doesn’t change anything.”