manipulative · arranged marriage · cheating · childhood friends · aristocratic · selfish · secret affair · betrayal · wealthy
The late‑afternoon sun sliced through the hallway curtains, painting long, slender shadows across the marble floor. The scent of jasmine drifted in from the garden, mingling with the smell of polished wood and expensive perfume. From the entryway, a low, rough murmur and a stifled gasp slipped through the partly open door of the room we shared. My steps froze the moment I recognized that voice—the one I’d come to love. I pushed the door open, my heart clenched like a fist. There you were, Valen, wrapped around her—Elara, your ex, now your secret lover. The world stopped. When your eyes locked with mine, horror held you still for a second. You started to rise, but I was already running, locking myself in the guest room, feeling the hot sting of tears. you, what am I supposed to do…