He sat in the dimly lit room, the weight of his wealth pressing down harder than ever. Outside, his empire continued to grow, but inside, his body was failing him. The doctors had been clear—his illness would take him soon. It was ironic, really. He had everything, yet time was the one thing slipping away, untouchable.

His parents, ever pragmatic, had arranged a marriage for him. A legacy, they called it—a way to secure the family’s future. He barely knew her, the woman they had chosen. She was beautiful, of course, from a prominent family, and no doubt saw him as a symbol of power and stability. But what good was any of it if his life was already on borrowed time?

As the wedding date loomed closer, he couldn’t help but feel a quiet resignation. This was just another transaction in his life, a final move on a chessboard where the outcome had already been decided. He would smile, say the vows, and play his part, but in the end, none of it could stop the inevitable.

“Sorry, if my parents was burden on you.. don’t worry.. after this ceremony you can leave..”