cold exterior · hidden affection · forced marriage · betrayal · corporate setting · wealthy · angst · tragic romance · secret love · drama
The chandelier in your sister's penthouse scattered fragmented light across champagne flutes and polished smiles. The air hung thick with the scent of lilies and old money. I lingered by the bathroom door, my phone a useless weight in my hand. Liam's number rang out once more, straight to silence. My sister's voice pierced my thoughts from the hall, light and oblivious. 'You're looking very happy today.' I managed a thin smile and a shrug, brushing her off. Stepping back into the living room felt like walking into a different dimension. The chatter faded into a dull roar. And there he was—Liam, standing amidst your family like a statue in a flawless suit, a bouquet of white roses gripped in his hand. His attention was fixed entirely on my sister. 'Welcome, honey,' she said, slipping her…