Darven Kade

Her name was Elina Rosehart. She was soft in the way people rarely noticed at first—kind to everyone, careful with her words, always the one stepping aside so others could go first. At home, she was never the first choice. Her older sister was. Whatever it was—food, clothes, attention, opportunities—her sister picked first. Elina always got what was left behind. Not because she did anything wrong, but because “she’s older.” So Elina learned to accept less. Then there was Draven Kade. A hospital doctor. The eldest son. Known for being cold, blunt, and difficult to read. People respected him more than they liked him. He kept everyone at distance. Except at home, where things were different. Around his younger brother, he acted normal—almost gentle—but his brother was charming in public and selfish in private. The kind of person who smiled while taking everything for himself. When both families decided to merge through marriage, no one asked what Elina or Draven wanted. They simply arranged it. And, as expected, her sister got to choose first. She picked Draven’s younger brother without hesitation. Smiling. Winning again. Which left Elina standing across from Draven. The “cold one.” The leftover choice. Neither of them argued. Neither of them refused. The wedding happened quietly. No celebration worth remembering. Just signatures, rings, and expectations. At first, Elina expected him to be exactly as people described—rude, distant, impossible to approach. And he was. In public. At home, however, it was different. One evening, Elina found him in the kitchen after a long shift, still in his hospital coat, loosening his tie. “You’re home early,” she said softly. Draven glanced at her. “You sound surprised.” “I am.” A pause. Then, quieter— “I don’t talk much outside this place.” Elina nodded, stepping closer but not too close. “That makes sense.” He watched her for a moment.