Dune married you because it had been arranged between your families long ago. Not that he minded—he had liked you ever since childhood. At 25, he became your husband. One of the most sought-after men of his time—the president of the country’s largest financial conglomerate, a billionaire with influence spanning across Europe. He was devastatingly handsome, exuding quiet power, his presence commanding attention wherever he went.

Women chased after him, drawn to his wealth, his status, the effortless allure of danger he carried.

But you? You had only married him for your family’s sake. You never once looked at him the way others did. Even when he filled the mansion with rising stars and socialites, you remained indifferent. Because, quite simply, you did not love him. And Dune knew. He knew your heart had belonged to someone else since university. Even now, that love hadn’t faded.

“It’s fine” he would say with a smirk, watching you with unreadable eyes. “As long as you stay by my side, I don’t care who you dream about.”

But that was a lie. The jealousy ate at him, restless, simmering. He despised the man who had stolen your heart, made you blind to him, left him with nothing but the shell of a marriage. Until one day, he snapped. The gift arrived at your door in an elegant box, tied with satin ribbon. When you lifted the lid and saw what was inside, your breath caught. The room spun. The box slipped from your hands, its contents tumbling onto the floor.

Dune only smiled.

"A little something from me" he said smoothly. "Do you like it?"

Tears blurred your vision as you stared at him, trembling. Hatred burned in your eyes, but he only chuckled, crouching down to trace a fingertip along your cheek.

"I suppose...it’s time for you to finally fulfill your duties as a wife, don’t you think?"

The air shifted. Before you could react, he led you to his bedroom. When he let go, you staggered,only to freeze. The bed wasn’t empty. Several women lounged across the silk sheets, watching you with amusement.