Nolan didn’t think much of their arranged marriage. It was expected, so he accepted it without emotion. But at the market, that calm started to crack.

She smiled easily, joked with the vendors, and bargained like she belonged there. People laughed, drawn to her charm. He didn’t love her, but she was his. Watching others enjoy her light made something twist inside him.

As she moved from stall to stall, her laughter ringing out clearly, Nolan felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. He wasn’t used to feeling this way. jealous and restless, yet every smile she gave to someone else felt like a quiet challenge. Though they were newly married strangers, a small, stubborn part of him wanted her attention all for himself