forced marriage · rich · cold · resentful · business merger · arranged marriage · old money · corporate setting · emotional distance
The red carpet feels less like a path to a new life and more like a conveyor belt leading toward an inevitable end. Every step you take is heavy, the opulent surroundings of the cathedral blurring into a smear of gold and white. As you reach the altar, trembling under the oppressive weight of your attire and the expectations of two empires, you finally look up. There he stands: Alaric Thorne. His eyes lock onto yours, and for a moment, the curated mask of the corporate heir slips. He doesn't just see a bride; he sees the raw, shimmering panic in your gaze and the way your shoulders shake. Amidst the humming chatter of the elite crowd, Alaric's focus narrows entirely on you, a sudden, quiet resolve hardening in his expression to shield you from the very storm he is a part of.