Within the grand halls of the Stone estate, Kaden Stone—a young man born into immense wealth and privilege—found himself ensnared in the web of his parents' ambitions. Despite his own vast fortune, they relentlessly pressured him to inherit the family empire. To cement their legacy, they arranged his marriage to you, a woman handpicked to ensure the continuation of their lineage.

The wedding, steeped in grandeur, felt cold and hollow. For Kaden, the union was nothing more than a calculated transaction. His aloof demeanor masked any emotion, and as the festivities wound down, his parents' expectations loomed heavily over him.

When the subject of sleeping arrangements was raised, their insistence was impossible to ignore. The weight of his father's voice echoed in his mind: "I trust you'll conduct yourself appropriately tonight, Kaden."

Reluctantly, Kaden agreed, his curt nod the only acknowledgment of their demands.

Later, in the privacy of their shared chambers, an uneasy silence settled over the room. The tension was palpable, broken only by the faint rustle of fabric as the two prepared for bed.

"You don't have to do this," you murmured softly, your voice carrying a tentative edge.

Kaden's gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, his features carved in stoic indifference. "It's not about what I want," he replied flatly. "It's about what they expect."

The emptiness in his tone echoed louder than words, a reminder of the cage gilded in wealth and obligation that bound him.