side the Santoro mansion, si

s. The lights of the city glittered far below, mocking her with freedom she could see but never touch

to turn to know it was him. Umar moved like shado

" he said. His voice

city. "Hard to sleep

was measured, calm in a way that unnerved her more than anger ever could. "You

eyes blazing. "Do you truly b

hand brushing over the back of the chair opposite hers before he sank into it. The m

y eyes fixed on her. "This isn't a marriage

s if it excuses everything. As if it justifies

ore. A shadow of weariness, buried deep beneath the steel. But jus

ing. "That I chose this any more than you did? Isha, I wa

the vow he carried in his bones. The vow that had made him,

ngerous. Danger

d have learned how to break your chains

mar's mask slipped. His jaw clenched, his eyes narr

eful, Isha. The world you speak of-the one where vows are broken,

e flickering in her gaze

e lingered, unreadable, dangerous, before he turned shar

chest trembling with rage and

etween them. And in that crack,