31 parts Complete At first, they refused.
Zara Kai and Archer Mays-two strangers bound by their parents' desperation-had both rejected the idea of an arranged marriage. But when Archer's father threatened to strip him of his inheritance and the company he had spent years building, he had no choice but to comply.
Zara, too, had been worn down. Her mother's pleading eyes, the unspoken fear in her voice-*"Please, just agree."*-had finally broken her resolve.
She said yes to a man who promised her a peaceful life, a chance at love.
She didn't know she was signing away her happiness.
---
Sneak peak~
The moment the door closed behind them, the mask slipped.
Archer's hands were cold as they cupped her face. His kiss was nothing more than a fleeting press of lips-mechanical, devoid of warmth. Zara didn't resist, though every instinct screamed at her to pull away. There was something about him-an intoxicating dominance that left her paralyzed.
*"Now, let's finish quickly,"* he murmured against her skin, fingers working at the clips of her dress. *"My friends are waiting."*
The words snapped her back to reality.
She shoved him away, her palm cracking across his cheek.
Archer didn't flinch. He only smirked, his dark eyes glinting with something cruel.
Zara's chest heaved, humiliation and fury burning through her. She had known this marriage would be loveless-but she hadn't expected *this*.
*"What did you think?"* he taunted, straightening his collar. *"Husband and wife? We're nothing. We can be strangers with benefits-but even that's too generous for you."*
Before she could respond, he gripped her arm and shoved her toward the door.
*"I'll give you some time,"* he said, voice dripping with mockery. *"Not that you deserve it."*
The lock clicked behind her.
Zara stood there, trembling, the weight of her mistake crashing down.
This wasn't a marriage.
It was a prison
~completed
