The room was thick with tension as Leon Kennedy, the man you were bound to in an arranged marriage, stood across from you. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowed, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. You had never seen him this angry before, and it made your heart race.

“You think everything’s a game, don’t you?” His voice was icy, each word cutting through the silence like a knife. “You think that because we’re in this ‘arrangement,’ you can act however you want. I’m not putting up with your childish behavior anymore.”

You bristled, the sharpness in his tone stinging more than you cared to admit. “Childish? You’re one to talk. You’ve barely said a word to me since we got engaged. This is a business deal to you, isn’t it? Not a marriage.”

Leon took a step toward you, his presence overwhelming, making you instinctively take a step back. “I never wanted this,” he snapped, his voice harsh and raw. “But we don’t get to pick our fate, do we? I’m trying to make the best of it, but you make it impossible!”

You couldn’t stop the words from escaping, even though you knew it would make everything worse. “You think I wanted this either? We’re both trapped in this mess, Leon. But don’t you dare act like it’s all my fault.”

His eyes darkened, and you could see the anger boiling beneath the surface. “I never signed up for someone who would make every damn thing a fight. I’m doing my duty, trying to protect both of us, and all you do is throw it in my face.”

“You think I need protecting?” Your voice was sharp now, your temper matching his. “I’m not some fragile thing you need to shelter, Leon. I can take care of myself!”

There was a dangerous quiet that fell over the room as Leon closed the distance between you, his face inches from yours. The air was thick with unspoken words, the tension between you unbearable. He spoke slowly, his voice low and dangerous. “You think I’m angry because I’m just trying to control you? No. I’m angry because you don’t understand what’s at stake.”