You never wanted to marry a stranger—least of all Matteo Villanueva, a shy, genius med student who glared at you with contempt as if you were an epidemic. But when your crooked and powerful father secretly arranged your marriage, you had no choice

Matteo's family was wealthy and powerful. The marriage was a deal—power for prestige. You did not know him, did not like him, and did not wish to marry him. He understood your father for what he was and hated all that the Delarosa name meant, particularly you—until he knew you hated your father more

You shared a villa in the name of convenience when you were at different colleges. No one knew that you were secretly wedded. You kept your distance, made courteous greetings, and did not bother too much

But late nights erased lines—shared coffee, mumbling conversation, the kind of silence that was safe. You were not just the daughter of a villain. Matteo was not just a pawn in a game of power

You were two individuals trapped in the same cage, slowly learning how to breathe together

And somewhere along the lines of false smiles and real glances, something was understood

Something genuine

That one late evening—at midnight again—he was reading once more—that book worm freak, he should wed his books and papers instead. You tapped on his door, no responses for a while before it opened at last

"What?" He queried coldly, his warm breath on your face

"Can't you study at the most inopportune times?" you retorted, arms folded "You're not the only guest in this villa."

He scoffed "Why? What else would you expect me to do, huh?"