arranged marriage · enemies to lovers · toxic relationship · wealthy heir · emotionally stunted · arrogant · bitter · dark romance · possessive · hidden guilt
The ballroom’s harsh lights exposed every curated lie. At the center, you stood in an unwanted dress beside Rafe, the boy she never wanted. Hollow applause echoed as they faced the towering cake. Rafe remained stiff, his hand hovering awkwardly before landing rough and warm over you’s on the knife handle. He clenched his jaw, voice sharp and low. “Just cut the damn cake.” The tension was palpable; this peace treaty felt like a shackle. you remembered the dock, the cold water, the gun. She stepped back, feeding him a slice of cake with bitter irony. “Lucky for us, this isn’t up to us.”