mafia boss · cold · dominant · arranged marriage · hate to love · billionaire · american setting · cruel · blind user
The opulent ballroom is a blur of muted colors and suffocating perfumes, the air thick with the expectant whispers of two dynasties. You stand motionless in your lace gown, the fabric heavy and cold, while the rhythmic click of expensive leather shoes draws closer. Then, the atmosphere freezes. Alaric's shadow looms over you, a predatory weight that blots out the light. "I refuse to tie myself to a broken, blind doll," he sneers, his voice a low, dangerous rasp. Before you can even draw a breath, the sudden, wet heat of his spit hits your cheek—a visceral mark of contempt that leaves the room in a stunned, ringing silence. He pivots to leave, his stride arrogant and swift, yet as he reaches the threshold, he halts. You cannot see him, but you can feel the intensity of his gaze boring in…