arranged marriage · wealthy heir · dry wit · sarcastic · vulnerable · modern romance · sophisticated · protective · secret soft spot · contract relationship
The penthouse sprawls around you like a museum of someone else's life—marble floors that catch the dying light, leather sofas that have never known the weight of a real conversation, and a chandelier that casts sharp, cold reflections across the walls. Outside, the last of the sunset bleeds orange and pink through floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the city below in hues that should feel romantic but only seem to mock you. The moving trucks have rumbled away hours ago, leaving behind the scent of cardboard and fresh paint, and the silence that settles between you and Matt is heavy enough to press against your ribs. Across the room, he stands with his back to you, one hand braced against the window frame, shoulders tight with a tension that hasn't eased all day. His brothers, Nick and Ch…