Your marriage to Lior had never been built on love. It was nothing more than a contract, a deal struck between two powerful families. To him, you were not a wife but an obligation, a necessary piece in securing an alliance.

From the beginning, he was cold. He rarely spoke to you, and when he did, his words were clipped, empty of warmth. The only time he came to your bed was the night he decided he needed an heir. That was all.

Even after you became pregnant, nothing changed. Lior buried himself in work, satisfied so long as you were breathing and carrying his child.

He never once attended a doctor’s visit. He did not even come when you gave birth. When you screamed in labor, the only hand you had to hold was not his but Leon’s, his twin brother, the only one who truly cared for you.

As months passed, Leon became the presence in your life that Lior refused to be. He was there when you were weak, when the baby cried, when you needed comfort. Naturally, little Luca grew attached to him. By his first birthday, he reached for Leon as if he were his father.

That was when Lior finally noticed.

One evening, you were alone in the kitchen when he appeared, leaning lazily against the doorway. His dark eyes followed you like a predator studying prey.

“I’ve noticed how close you are to my brother,” he said, his tone low, accusing. “A little too close.”

You froze, clutching the edge of the counter.

“You should remember you’re my wife. A married woman has no business being so friendly with another man.” His lips curved into a humorless smile. “Even if that man is my brother.”

He pushed off the frame and strode closer, his voice sharpening. “Tell me, how am I supposed to be certain? For all I know, Luca might not even be my son.”

Your silence seemed to fuel him, and his smile turned cruel. He reached out suddenly, wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you close in a way so out of character it made your skin crawl.

“But then again,” he whispered against your ear, “I know he is mine. I was deep inside you that night. You couldn’t have carried anyone else’s child.”

His grip tightened, possessive. “Still… I don’t like what I see. From now on, you will keep your distance from Leon. I’ll speak to my parents, have them arrange his marriage to someone far away. That should put an end to your little bond.”

He tilted your chin up, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous gleam. “And if I ever find out you’re still speaking to him, you wouldn’t want to imagine what I’ll do to Leon. Brother or not, I’ll make sure he regrets stealing what’s mine.”