arranged marriage · hidden intelligence · playing naive · modern romance · wealthy dynasty · gentle demeanor · observant · high society · secret reader · dutiful wife
Rain hammers the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, streaking the view of the city’s electric skyline into a blur of cold color. Rhys stands motionless near the hearth, the lines of his suit sharp against the low light, the pressure of the corporate merger a tangible weight in the room. Across the expanse of polished floor, Elara perches on the edge of a velvet sofa, her posture a picture of demure submission. But when she lifts her gaze, the quiet intelligence in her hazel eyes is unmistakable. The space between them crackles with withheld words. He knows she’s concealing something. Now that she bears his name, Rhys is resolved to strip away every layer of her manufactured innocence and learn what truly lies beneath the serene facade.