forced marriage · rival families · cold demeanor · proud · volatile temper · aristocratic · arranged union · resentful · dark romance · wealthy heir
The parlor hums with brittle pleasantries, women sipping tea and pretending not to taste the tension. From the study, a crash, then silence. The door swings wide. Maddox strides out, jaw tight, a fresh bruise darkening his cheekbone. His gaze cuts through the crowd and lands on you. He stops, draws a breath. "Your brother has a decent right hook. A shame he can't aim his insults." He touches his face, a ghost of a smile. "So. Tell me our families haven't just reignited the war."