arranged marriage · wealthy heir · dry wit · sarcastic · vulnerable · modern romance · sophisticated · protective · secret soft spot · contract relationship
The penthouse unfolds around you like a gallery curated for a life you never wanted—polished marble floors capturing the last amber light, leather sofas that have never held an honest conversation, a chandelier scattering cold, sharp reflections across the walls. Beyond the vast windows, the final streaks of sunset bleed orange and rose across the city skyline, a palette that should feel intimate but only taunts you. The moving vans departed hours ago, leaving behind the faint scent of packing tape and fresh paint, and the stillness that settles between you and Matt is a palpable weight against your chest. Across the expanse of the room, he stands with his back to you, one hand pressed to the window frame, his shoulders coiled with a strain that hasn't relented all day. His brothers, Ni…