lished marble and crystal chandeliers, seemed almost oppressive in the stillness of the night. Mia's heels

ark was her husband. But Mia had made her decision too. She would n

nce was calm, deliberate. His dark eyes scanned the r

" Mia said sharply, cut

that was the plan?" His voice was low, even, bu

ing her hands on her hips. "I've made my c

something-surprise? amusement?-flicker across his face. But just

hing, but his eyes lingered on hers long

ded a little faster. She shoved the

-

e, replaying the events of the day over and over in her mind. The wedding, the forced vows,

ntrolled. Unshaken by the chaos she felt inside. That tho

ly had insisted on a formal meal, an introduction of Mia an

r, radiated a quiet authority. He didn't reach for her hand, didn't brush against her knee, did

s madd

hispered, leaning close enough that only Mia

.. fine." The word sounded li

. "Hmm. You sound like

or. She didn't want to admit it-not even to herself-but there was a

fly, then back to his plate, unflinching.

emy, she reminde

round the table were polite but tinged with curiosity. Everyone

a retreated to her suite. The door clicked shut, and she let h

et... the faintest pang of something unfamiliar tickled her chest when she remembered the way his ey

herself f

-

spent the entire dinner watching her-her stiff posture, her refusal to

was both infuriating and intoxicating. She hated him, yes. And he hated that she hated him. But he also

touchable. She was like a storm contained in porcelain, and every fiber of his being wanted to reach ou

r n

-

rvants and security preparing for another week of business, but Mia and Mark moved through th

ing. He didn't speak, didn't look at her, didn't invite conversation. And yet, she felt it

d it. She

th the faintest whisper of his sleeve against he

d, she gritted her teeth and focused on the

is. I will

ng hour. Their separate rooms, once a relief, now felt like walls she couldn't escape. Every glance, every

thing else-something she couldn't name. Something dangerous. Somet

hated t