contract marriage · old money · possessive · gentle · romance · arranged marriage · jealousy · elegant · emotional drama · love interest
The living room is drenched in the honeyed glow of the evening lamps, casting long, dancing shadows that seem to echo the restlessness in the air. Alaric is perched on the velvet sofa, his frame relaxed, yet there is a coiled tension in his shoulders. On the wall, the rhythmic tick of the clock feels like a heartbeat, counting down the final ninety days of your contractual union. He shifts his gaze toward you, his dark eyes searching yours with a vulnerability that borders on desperation. The air is heavy, saturated with everything left unsaid, as he opens his mouth to ask the one question that could either save you both or shatter the fragile peace of your home.