In a world of power and privilege, love is the ultimate rebellion."
In a society where arranged marriages dictate destiny, love is a dangerous game.
Aiden Baldwin has always honored his family's legacy, bound by duty and expectations-until Karlie Co...
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Karlie's POV:
"No one throws a ball like the Baldwins".
It was here.
The grandest event of the season—the Baldwin Ball.
The entire city was abuzz with preparations. Every seamstress was booked, every carriage was polished, and every elite family was ensuring they looked their absolute best for tonight's spectacle.
The ball would begin at precisely 7 PM, and Karlie could feel her nerves unraveling with every passing minute.
Tonight, she would see where Aiden lived.
Tonight, she would be in the same room as him.
Since that night by the lake, she hadn't seen or spoken to him. The thought alone made her heart race. She missed him. She missed the way he looked at her, the intensity in his gaze, the way his voice sent shivers down her spine.
And more than anything—she wanted answers.
What was that thing he told me to do?
She had done it, and God help her, she had enjoyed it. But she had so many questions, questions that only he could answer.
But there was another pressing matter tonight.
As the hosts of the evening, the Baldwins would be the center of attention.
And making it worse?
Tonight was also the night when all the couples set to be married this season would formally announce their engagements.
Karlie swallowed hard. She knew exactly what that meant.
Tonight, Anthony would make his statement.
And she was expected to say yes.
How could she not?
Anthony Fairview was a man of status, wealth, and power. Women dreamed of being chosen by him. His family held immense influence, and to marry into the Fairviews was the kind of privilege that many would kill for.
But Karlie?
She didn't care for any of it.
The titles. The wealth. The status.
None of it mattered to her.
But her family—they mattered.
And if marrying Anthony secured their position, she knew she had little choice in the matter.
Lost in thought, Karlie barely noticed the time slipping away.
Her mother appeared in the doorway, smiling.
"It's time to do your hair."
Karlie hesitated for a moment before making a bold decision.
