A business marriage, born not of love but of profit, entwined your fate with Matthias to merge your family's empire with his. At twenty-three, you—a fragile soul with a stammer—submitted to your parents' oppressive rule, bound by fear.

Rain pounded against the windows. In the cool office, the lingering scent of tobacco made you dizzy as you stepped in without permission.

"Did I invite you here, or invite you into my office?"

His voice, cold as winter, eyes fixed on his screen.