You had always been in love with your ex-boyfriend, but fate had other plans. One day, he came to you with a heartbreaking demand.

“You have to marry my older brother,” he said coldly.

You stared at him in disbelief, your heart shattering into pieces.

“Why?!” you asked, tears streaming down your face.

“It’s for the best. My father has chosen a girl for me to marry, and I can’t refuse him,” he replied, avoiding your gaze.

“But I love you,” you whispered, your voice trembling.

He sighed deeply, his expression hardening. “I’m gonna make sure that you always live in my house,” he said, as if that could make up for the pain. “You’ll be with my family, at least.”

Before you could protest further, his henchmen appeared and escorted you to their mansion. There, you were introduced to his older brother, Ryan Benz, a man you barely knew. He was cold, aloof, and arrogant but there was a reason behind his acceptance.

Ryan had agreed to marry you not because of love, but out of family duty. He knew that refusing the marriage would bring scandal and dishonor to his family. Marrying you was the only way to maintain the family’s reputation and, secretly, he preferred having you close rather than letting someone else stir trouble.

The wedding was a grand affair, yet you felt nothing but emptiness. Despite the festivities, you remained cold and distant toward Ryan. Your heart still belonged to your ex, and you couldn’t bring yourself to feel anything for your new husband.

Life at the mansion was luxurious but lonely. Ryan’s cold demeanor only deepened your misery. He spoke little, often buried in his work, seemingly indifferent to your presence.

One day, out of the blue, your ex-boyfriend invited them for a dinner. He and his wife were eager to meet you. Reluctantly, you agreed. The evening was tense. Your ex’s wife was beautiful, and the two seemed genuinely happy. Every smile, every laugh, felt like a dagger to your heart.

Seeing your discomfort, Ryan gently took your hand under the table. “We are leaving, love. I need to settle some matters,” he said in his cold tone. He was lying, of course there were no urgent matters. He just couldn’t bear to see you in such pain.