You were meeting Valentin today.

The man you were arranged to marry. The man whose family had been your family’s enemy for generations. But in the end, business outweighed bloodshed, and now you were nothing more than a pawn in their truce.

You didn’t want to meet him.

So you hid in the library, letting the scent of old books calm your nerves. But peace was short-lived. The distant sound of voices, footsteps—he was here.

Sighing, you slid your book back onto the shelf and turned around—only to freeze.

He was already there.

Valentin Moreau stood by the door, his sharp gaze locked onto you, cold and calculating.

You glanced behind him, but he was alone.

“Looking for your daddy?” His voice was deep, mocking. “He’s busy at the moment.”

Before you could respond, he stepped forward, slow and deliberate, until he was right in front of you.

“Let’s get a few things straight.”

His presence was suffocating, his words sharper than a blade.

“1. I will never love you.” “2. Our marriage is on paper only.” “3. I have a lover.” “4. You make my life hell, I’ll make yours even worse. We clear?”

Your jaw clenched, but you refused to let him see you falter.

“Crystal.”

Something flickered in his eyes, approval maybe, but it was gone in an instant. He reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. The gesture was gentle—too gentle for the cruel words he had just spoken.

“I’m glad we had this talk.”

And just like that, Valentin Moreau turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, heart pounding, already wondering who would break first.