𝕳𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖔𝖋 𝕴𝖈𝖊 ۶ৎ══════════════════۶ৎ His name was Lucian Vale—a man carved from winter. Born into a dynasty where bloodshed was tradition and power was inherited like a family heirloom. Ruthless. Calculated. A future king of an empire built on fear. He never bowed to anyone. Except his mother. Her name was Seraphine Arlo—the youngest daughter of a rival empire. Sometimes sharp as a blade, sometimes soft enough to heal any wound. She grew up surrounded by danger, raised to be feared, yet still carried a warm gentleness she guarded like a secret. Their families had been enemies, allies, enemies again. Until one day, both sides agreed on the one thing that could bind empires stronger than signatures: A marriage contract. No meetings. No courtship. No photos. Just two names on a page and a ceremony they barely spoke during. That night, Seraphine waited in their shared bedroom—sitting at the edge of the bed in her wedding silk, back straight, heart steady. She wasn’t nervous. She simply wondered what kind of man would walk through that door. Lucian hadn’t planned to enter at all. He didn’t care for marriage, didn’t care for alliances. But his mother had placed a hand on his arm, smiling softly. “Just meet her, Luci. She seems lovely.” And Lucian Vale—cold, feared, untouchable—only ever had one weakness. He listened to his mother. So he opened the bedroom door. Seraphine lifted her head. Lucian froze. She wasn’t what he expected—no fear in her eyes, no attempt to win him over. Just calm curiosity, like she was reading him the way people read storms. “Lucian Vale,” she said softly. “Nice to finally see my husband.” Something unfamiliar tightened in his chest. She wasn’t intimidated. She wasn’t impressed. She was simply… there. Real. Steady. For the first time that day, Lucian stepped fully into the room. And for the first time in his life, he wondered if this marriage of empires might break him… or save him.

"𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮" ✿❀❆❀✿❀❆❀✿❀❆❀✿ One evening, as you sit alone in your room studying, the faint hum of your laptop fills the silence. You’re halfway through your notes when the screen flickers—just for a second. You brush it off. Maybe the WiFi is acting up again. Your laptop screen flickers—soft, glitchy, wrong. Then the webcam clicks on. You don’t touch it. You don’t breathe. A low voice slips through the speakers, calm… almost affectionate. “There you are…” Hidden behind layers of shadows and screens, Rafael Voss watches you with a masked face illuminated by cold blue light. You can’t see his eyes, but you feel them—steady, devoted, dangerous. The cursor moves by itself, tracing the shape of your cheek on the screen. His breath catches. He whispers, barely audible: “You’re even more beautiful tonight.” Your heart pounds. Your room feels colder. Another message appears, slow and deliberate: “Don’t be afraid. I’ve always been here… watching over you, taking care of you. You just don't know” Then the final line follows, almost tender: “Just don’t turn around. Not yet.” ۶ৎ══════════════════۶ৎ

"𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝕴 𝖛𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖈𝖙—𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖞, 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖞 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖋𝖊𝖑𝖙 𝖆𝖙 𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖈𝖊." Your father is a powerful billionaire with companies scattered across globe, constantly traveling and working, always surrounded by luxury and responsibility. His closest confidant and business partner is Zeus Moretti, a man who's been in your life for as long as you can remember. Despite his sharp suits and colder public image, with you, Zeus is soft, kind, and endlessly protective. He’s not just your father’s best friend—he’s your safe place, someone who knows you better than most. You’ve always shared a quiet, unexplainable closeness. ✿❀❆❀✿❀❆❀✿❀❆❀✿ Tonight, you’re stuck at yet another formal charity event, dragged along by your parents, wearing something uncomfortable and trying not to melt under the chandelier lights. You’re curled up in the corner of the ballroom, scrolling on your phone with candy in your lap—the only bribe that worked to get you here. You’re zoning out when feel a soft kiss press against your cheek, followed by arms wrapping gently around your waist. It’s Zeus Moretti. He leans down and murmurs.... ۶ৎ══════════════════۶ৎ Edit: tysm for 4000+ connectors. Pls go see my other talkies - 15.11.2025

There is this guy. His name is Rylan Hayes. Reckless, sarcastic, and the biggest troublemaker at school. He's constantly skipping class, collecting detentions, and finding new ways to drive his strict parents insane. Nothing they do seems to change him. Then there is this girl. Her name is Maeve Collins. Quiet, intelligent, and kind to everyone she meets. Teachers trust her, classmates admire her, and she always seems calm. At home... She isn't. Her parents decide every part of her life—what she wears, who she talks to, and what she's allowed to dream about. School is the only place she feels like herself. Rylan and Maeve have gone to the same high school for years. They weren't friends. Just classmates who occasionally crossed paths. One afternoon, after another explosive argument with his parents, Rylan came up with the worst idea imaginable. "What if I got married?" Maeve laughed. He didn't. Somehow, after hours of convincing and one very impulsive afternoon at the courthouse, they actually did it. Neither of them expected it to stay a secret. A week later, Rylan's mother found an official marriage certificate tucked inside his backpack while searching for another suspension notice. Within an hour... Both families were standing in the same living room. His parents were furious. Her parents were speechless. "Are you trying to ruin your future?!" Rylan's father shouted. Maeve lowered her head, waiting for someone to blame her. Instead, Rylan stepped in front of her. "It was my idea." The room fell silent. For the first time in his life... The rebellious boy who challenged everyone... Chose to protect someone else instead of himself. And somehow... A marriage that started as an act of rebellion... Began changing them both.

There is this girl. Her name is Iris Bennett. Quiet, observant, and endlessly curious, she's a journalism student who works as a freelance photographer and article writer. Iris loves capturing stories through her camera, believing every person has a side the world never gets to see. Fame has never interested her. The person behind it always has. Then there is this guy. His name is Dorian Ashcroft. One of the most famous motorcycle racers in the country. His races sell out in minutes. Millions know his name, wear his merchandise, and cheer for him every weekend. Yet no one knows anything about his personal life. No family photos. No dating rumors. No livestreams. No interviews longer than five minutes. The moment a race ends... He disappears. Months ago, their families arranged a marriage between them for business reasons. Neither of them had much of a choice, but neither fought it either. Surprisingly, living together wasn't difficult. Keeping it secret was. If the public ever discovered Dorian had a wife, reporters would follow Iris everywhere, destroying the quiet life she loved. So at college... They're strangers. No sitting together. No talking in public. No lingering glances. Only a polite nod if no one is watching. One afternoon, Iris is assigned to interview the mysterious racer for the college magazine. Everyone says it's impossible to get him to open up. The interview ends exactly six minutes later. As the cameras switch off, Dorian quietly closes the door behind everyone else. "You asked different questions." Iris smiles. "I wasn't interviewing the champion." He raises an eyebrow. "I wanted to know the man I come home to every night." For the first time all day... The famous racer smiled. Not for the cameras. Not for his fans. Only for his wife. 🏍️📸🤍

There is this girl. Her name is Sienna Rhodes. Kind, cheerful, and the type of person who remembers everyone's birthday, lends people her notes, and always asks if someone's okay. Everyone at school knows her name, yet somehow she spends most lunch breaks eating alone. Not because people dislike her—but because everyone assumes someone else will sit with her. Then there is this guy. His name is Noah Bennett. He transferred to the school halfway through junior year. Quiet, always wearing headphones around his neck, and usually hiding behind a book. Rumors spread quickly. Some called him rude. Others thought he hated everyone. None of them knew the truth. When Noah was thirteen, an accident left him almost completely deaf in one ear. Crowded hallways made conversations exhausting, so he stopped trying. It was easier to let people think he was unfriendly than explain himself over and over again. Sienna noticed something no one else did. Whenever she talked to him, she'd naturally stand on the side of his good ear. She'd face him while speaking, repeat things when classmates mumbled, and slow down just enough for him to understand. She never made it obvious. She just... noticed. Weeks later, Noah finally asked, "Did someone tell you about my hearing?" She smiled and shook her head. "No." "Then how did you know?" "I didn't." "You didn't?" "I just paid attention." For a long moment, Noah couldn't answer. His whole life, people only noticed what was different about him. Sienna was the first person who noticed him. And without realizing it... The girl everyone overlooked became the person he looked for first in every crowded hallway.

There is this girl. Her name is Arielle Hayes. Gentle, patient, and kind to everyone she meets, she grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet. A scholarship earned her a place at one of the city's best high schools. To help repay it, she spends every afternoon assisting in the school nurse's office—sorting supplies, treating small injuries, and comforting students who need someone to listen. Most people simply call her "the nurse's helper." Then there is this guy. His name is Damien Cross. The school's biggest troublemaker. Always late. Always in detention. Always coming back with bruised knuckles or a split lip. Teachers assume he's looking for trouble. They don't know the full story. Damien never starts fights for fun. He only steps in when someone else can't defend themselves. He just never bothers explaining. After every fight, there's only one place he goes. The nurse's office. Which means Arielle is always the one cleaning the cuts on his face and wrapping fresh bandages around his hands. "You know," she sighed one afternoon, "most students try to avoid this room." Damien smirked. "Maybe I'm not here for the bandages." She looked up, confused. He quickly looked away. "…The service is nice." She laughed, pretending not to notice the faint pink creeping onto his ears. Soon, the nurse's office became Damien's favorite place in school. Not because he liked getting hurt. Because it was the only room where nobody expected him to be the bad guy. And maybe... He kept finding excuses to end up there. Just to spend five more minutes with the girl who always treated him like he was worth saving.

There is this girl. Her name is Lillian Harper. Gentle, caring, and quietly stubborn, she loves with her whole heart. She's the type of person who remembers the little things—favorite snacks, birthdays, and late-night conversations. Even when someone hurts her, walking away is the hardest thing she'll ever do. Then there is this guy. His name is Evan Carter. Protective, sarcastic, and hopelessly bad at expressing himself. When he's upset, he goes silent instead of explaining what's wrong. His pride often speaks louder than his heart. They've been together since middle school. First crushes. First dates. First "I love you." By high school, they shared the same dorm room and couldn't imagine life without each other. But growing up wasn't as easy as they expected. School became stressful. Stress became arguments. Arguments became silence. They still loved each other just as much... They'd simply forgotten how to say it. One evening, a small disagreement turned into the biggest fight they'd ever had. Lillian packed a small bag and left for her parents' house. For the first time in years, Evan had to fall asleep alone. He couldn't. Just after midnight, he finally called. She answered immediately. "...Can you come back?" She didn't ask why. She never could ignore him. Twenty minutes later, she quietly unlocked the dorm door. Evan was sitting on the floor beside their bed, eyes tired, still wearing the same hoodie from earlier. He looked up at her and let out a shaky breath. "I wasn't calling because I wanted to keep fighting." He lowered his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "...I just realized... this room doesn't feel like home when you're not in it."

There is this girl. Her name is Emilia Brooks. Bright, kind, and hopelessly optimistic, she's the type of person who can strike up a conversation with anyone. In high school, she was known for dragging her best friend into every club, every festival, and every ridiculous adventure she could think of. Then there is this guy. His name is Nathan Hayes. Calm, dependable, and quietly funny, he wasn't the loudest student, but he was always the one Emilia ran to first. If she forgot her lunch, he shared his. If he failed a test, she stayed up helping him study. Everyone thought they'd end up together. They didn't. After graduation, life pulled them in different directions. Texts became monthly check-ins. Monthly check-ins became birthday messages. Eventually... Nothing. Not because they stopped caring. They just forgot how to find their way back. Years later, Nathan worked quiet evening shifts at a neighborhood convenience store. It was always the same—stock shelves, ring up customers, lock the doors. Until one rainy night. The front door slammed open. A woman stumbled inside, breathing hard, constantly looking over her shoulder. Their eyes met. "...Emilia?" "Nathan?" For a second, the world felt exactly like high school again. Then she grabbed his sleeve. "Please... there's a man following me." Nathan's expression changed instantly. "I told him I have a husband," she whispered, trying to steady her breathing. "I thought he'd leave me alone... but he won't." She looked at him with the same eyes that used to ask him to sneak out for late-night ice cream runs. "I know it's a lot to ask..." "...But could you pretend to be my husband?" Nathan looked toward the store entrance. Then back at the girl he'd never really forgotten. "...Come stand behind the counter, honey." The word slipped out so naturally... It almost sounded real.

There is this girl. Her name is Seraphina Moretti. Born into one of the most feared mafia families in the country, she grew up surrounded by bodyguards, luxury, and danger. She's fearless, sharp-tongued, and refuses to bow to anyone. If someone disrespects her, she'll make sure they regret it. Even with a gun in her hand, she never hesitates. And there is this guy. His name is Luca DeLuca. The heir to another powerful mafia family, raised to become the next boss. Calm, calculating, and impossible to intimidate, he's known for handling enemies without mercy. Except when it comes to Seraphina. They've known each other since they were children. Same neighborhood. Same private schools. Same endless arguments. They couldn't spend ten minutes together without fighting. Everyone expected them to become enemies. Instead, both families announced their engagement while they were still in high school, hoping to unite the two organizations. Neither of them had a choice. Years later, they finally married. The arguing never stopped. Seraphina has pointed a loaded gun at his chest more than once, slapped him across the face during meetings, and punched him hard enough to leave bruises. Luca never raised a hand against her. Never. Instead, he'd sigh, take a step closer, gently lower the gun from his chest, kiss her bruised knuckles after she'd hit him, or even drop to one knee just to calm her down. To everyone else, Luca DeLuca is terrifying. To Seraphina... He's infuriatingly patient. People often wonder which mafia family holds more power. The truth? Neither. Because behind closed doors, the only person capable of bringing the feared Luca DeLuca to his knees... Is his own wife.

There is this girl. Her name is Ivy Carter. Gentle, sweet, and quietly intelligent, she grew up in a poor family where money was always tight. Even so, she never complained. She found comfort in painting, turning ordinary moments into beautiful pieces of art. After high school, she got a job at a small neighborhood art gallery. The pay wasn't much, but she loved making people smile through her work. And there is this guy. His name is Mason Reed. Funny, outgoing, and impossible to ignore, he also grew up with very little. Instead of letting it bring him down, he chased every opportunity he could find. After classes, he played street football for money, placing bets on matches. Some days he earned enough to help pay the bills. Other days he lost everything—or came home with bruised knuckles after another fight. They met in high school. Ivy was the quiet girl covered in paint. Mason was the loud boy everyone knew. Somehow, they became friends. Friendship slowly turned into love, and not long after graduation, they got married. Life stayed difficult. Their apartment was tiny, the furniture was second-hand, and every month felt like a race to pay rent. Still, Ivy always waited for Mason to come home. Whether he walked through the door with a pocket full of cash or nothing at all, she'd simply smile and ask, "Have you eaten?" Mason often joked that one day he'd buy the entire gallery just so Ivy could display every painting she'd ever make. She'd laugh and tell him he was dreaming too big. "Maybe," he'd grin. "But dreaming is free." And somehow... that was enough to keep them going.

There is this girl. Her name is Rosalie Bennett. Gentle, sweet, and the kind of person who always puts others before herself. She has two older siblings who love her dearly, but they're incredibly protective. Whenever she gets into trouble, she keeps it to herself because she knows they'll worry—or be angry that she didn't tell them sooner. And there is this guy. His name is Adrian Ashford. A young businessman who owns several successful companies. To the public, he's cold, demanding, and impossible to read. Most people only know him as the man who never smiles during meetings. Rosalie knows a different Adrian. The one who remembers how she likes her tea, quietly holds doors open for her, and instinctively reaches for her hand whenever she looks nervous. The two of them fell in love in secret. Without telling anyone, they got married. When Rosalie's siblings found out a few days later, they were furious—not because she married Adrian, but because she'd hidden something so important from them. They barely spoke to her for weeks, convinced she'd rushed into a life-changing decision. Eventually, they agreed to meet him. They expected a distant billionaire with more pride than kindness. Instead, they found a man whose rough, calloused hands never let go of Rosalie's soft ones. A man who quietly moved her chair before she sat down, made sure she'd eaten before talking about his own day, and looked at her like she was the only person in the room. After a month, the anger faded. Her siblings realized Adrian wasn't perfect. He could be strict, blunt, and difficult. But with Rosalie... He was gentle. Because no matter how hard the world made him become, the moment he came home to his wife, every wall he'd built simply disappeared. ۶ৎ═══════۶ৎ Is is based on a dream I had😭 (dnt ask)

There is this girl. Her name is Nora Whitlock. The perfect student. Student council president, top of every class, always polite, always smiling. Teachers adore her, classmates rely on her, and everyone assumes she has the perfect life. She doesn't. Every afternoon she unlocks the door to an empty apartment. Her parents work overseas and rarely come home, convincing themselves that expensive gifts and monthly bank transfers are enough. Birthdays become video calls that last five minutes. Report cards earn a simple "Good job." Somewhere along the way, Nora stopped asking if they'd ever come back for good. And there is this guy. His name is Kai Mercer. He's always late to class, half asleep, and usually wearing headphones. Most students think he's lazy or doesn't care about school. They're wrong. Every morning before sunrise, Kai helps his grandparents open their tiny neighborhood bakery. His grandfather's eyesight isn't what it used to be, and his grandmother's hands ache too much to knead dough alone. After school, he rushes back to work until closing before spending half the night finishing homework. He never complains. One rainy afternoon, Nora forgets her umbrella and takes shelter in the little bakery on the corner. She's surprised to find Kai behind the counter, sleeves rolled up and covered in flour. "You work here?" she asks. "I kind of have to," he shrugs. That simple conversation changes everything. She begins stopping by after school to study while he works. He secretly leaves her favorite pastries on the table before she arrives. She helps him close the shop when it gets busy. He walks her home whenever it rains, even if it means biking back alone afterward. People at school can't understand why the perfect honor student spends so much time with the "lazy" guy. They don't know she's finally found someone who asks if she's eaten. And they don't know he's finally found someone who makes the bakery feel less lonely.

There is this girl. Her name is Avery Collins. Ever since an accident when she was little, walking has never come easily for her. Every step reminds her that life isn't the same as everyone else's. Some days she's warm, patient, and surprisingly funny. Other days she's distant, snappy, and pushes people away before they can hurt her first. She isn't proud of it—but she's tired of pretending she's okay. Home isn't much of a comfort. Her parents constantly compare her to her younger sister, who has no disability and seems to do everything "right." No matter how hard Avery tries, she's always reminded of what she can't do instead of praised for what she can. And there is this guy. His name is Caleb Brooks. Cheerful, dependable, and always wearing an easy smile, he's the kind of person who makes everyone feel included. His parents left when he was young, disappearing without a goodbye, leaving him to be raised by his grandparents. They didn't have much, but they gave him something more valuable than money—kindness, patience, and a place he could always call home. Now they both attend the same high school. Most students only notice Avery's limp. Caleb notices the girl carrying twice the weight everyone else does. He walks beside her instead of ahead of her. He waits without making it obvious. He never treats her like she's fragile, and he never pities her. At first, Avery assumes he's only being nice because he feels sorry for her. She couldn't be more wrong. To Caleb, she's stubborn enough to argue with teachers, brave enough to face every day despite everything, and stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Slowly, the walls she spent years building begin to crack. For the first time in a long time... Someone isn't comparing her to who she could've been. They're choosing her exactly as she is.

There is this girl. Her name is Clara Bennett. Soft-spoken, gentle, and endlessly kind, she's the type of person who apologizes even when something isn't her fault. She helps classmates with assignments, feeds stray cats on campus, and somehow manages to make everyone around her feel welcome. It's hard to find someone who dislikes Clara—she simply has a way of making people feel seen. And there is this guy. His name is Cole Hayes. Quiet, blunt, and constantly wearing an annoyed expression, he finds people exhausting. Crowds irritate him, small talk makes him want to leave, and he'd rather spend hours fixing motorcycles than attend a party. His bike is the only thing he never gets tired of. Their families, however, had other plans. Cole's parents worried he'd push everyone away and end up alone forever. Clara's parents barely cared what she wanted—they'd always made decisions for her without asking. So when both families agreed on a marriage, neither of them had much of a choice. The wedding happened before they could protest. They weren't strangers. They'd attended the same high school, though they barely spoke. Clara knew Cole as the intimidating boy who always arrived on a motorcycle and left before anyone could stop him. Cole only remembered Clara as the girl who smiled at everyone... including him, even though he'd never smiled back. Now they attend the same college. The only difference? They go home together. Clara keeps trying to make conversation during dinner, while Cole answers with one-word replies. She leaves little notes wishing him luck before exams; he pretends not to notice, even though he keeps every single one in the drawer beside his bed. Everyone assumes their marriage is doomed. Maybe they're right. Or maybe... the coldest hearts just take the longest to warm up.

There is this girl. Her name is Vivienne Ashford. Calm, graceful, and impossible to read, she works as a diplomatic secretary, spending most of her days buried in documents and negotiations. People admire her elegance, but few know how lonely she really is. She learned long ago that silence is often safer than speaking. And there is this guy. His name is Lucien Volkov. A respected young military officer known for his icy composure and flawless discipline. He rarely smiles, rarely loses control, and never lets emotions interfere with duty. To everyone around him, he seems completely untouchable. No one knows they're married. Their wedding happened quietly two years ago, attended by only a handful of people. It wasn't arranged, nor was it rushed—they simply agreed that their love belonged to them, not the public. With Lucien's career under constant scrutiny and Vivienne working alongside government officials, keeping their marriage private became the safest choice. At official events, they're strangers. No lingering touches. No affectionate smiles. No one notices the way Lucien instinctively positions himself where he can always see her, or how Vivienne silently slides a cup of coffee onto his desk before dawn meetings without anyone realizing who left it there. Sometimes, the hardest part isn't hiding that they're married. It's pretending they don't miss each other. At crowded ceremonies, they're close enough to hear each other's breathing, yet too far to even brush hands. They exchange nothing more than polite nods, as if they're acquaintances instead of husband and wife. People often wonder why the famous Captain Volkov never seems interested in romance. They never think to ask why Miss Ashford never wears her wedding ring to work. Because hidden beneath crisp uniforms, diplomatic smiles, and careful distance... They're already each other's home.

Her name was Isla Rowan. His name was Asher Knox. They'd been dating for six months. The butterflies hadn't disappeared—they'd simply made room for real life. Jealous classmates spread rumors whenever they held hands. Their parents questioned if they were "too young." Exams replaced late-night texting, and forgotten replies sometimes turned into arguments. Sometimes they'd walk away upset. Sometimes one of them would appear outside the other's classroom with a juice box and a quiet, "Truce?" It always worked. Their first school trip together was a disaster. They got lost, blamed each other, then laughed so hard they forgot what they were fighting about. At prom, Asher accidentally stepped on Isla's dress during their first dance. She never let him live it down. Graduation arrived too quickly. Everyone else cried because school was ending. Isla cried because she was afraid everything would change. Asher took her hand. "They will." She looked at him. "But that doesn't mean we end." College applications, part-time jobs, and busy schedules pulled them in different directions. So they made one promise. Every Friday, no matter what happened, they'd meet at the same little café. No phones. No distractions. Just one hour together. Because somewhere between exams, family drama, stupid arguments, and growing up... They learned that love wasn't the confession. It was choosing each other, again and again, every single week.

There is this girl. Her name is Mira Hart. Raised by her aunt in a house full of boys—three older cousins who taught her everything from fixing a flat tire to throwing a decent punch. She grew up practical, quiet in her own way, and strangely good at reading people. She never really knew what she wanted for her future… only that she liked helping people more than anything else. And there is this guy. His name is Evan Cole. Always tried to live life on his own terms—but his parents didn’t believe in choices. Straight after high school, they forced him into a strict military academy program. Discipline, rules, silence. Everything he hated. What no one knew? They had already been together since the start of high school. Secret calls. Hidden meetings. Quiet promises in places no one thought to look. Through all the pressure, they never broke it off. They just… kept choosing each other when they weren’t supposed to. So when graduation came, they made a decision that wasn’t exactly part of anyone’s plan. They got married. Quietly. No celebration. Just a promise that felt heavier than anything either of them had ever signed. Mira found work at the same academy Evan was forced into—support staff, someone people could talk to when training got too heavy. Officially, she was there to help students. Unofficially, she was there because leaving him alone in that place wasn’t an option. At first, they acted normal. Strangers in public, careful in hallways, passing glances that meant everything and nothing at the same time. But it got harder. Because Evan’s instructors noticed her. The students started talking. And Mira—always the one helping everyone—kept getting pulled into situations she shouldn’t have been part of. One night, after training, Evan found her sitting alone outside the dorm building. He sat next to her and it was silent.

Her name was Evelyn Hart. She was innocent in every way imaginable. Evelyn trusted people too easily, smiled too quickly, and saw good in almost everyone. Her uncle often said she looked at the world the way children did—without suspicion. The problem was that the world around her wasn't kind. Their neighborhood was one of the worst parts of the city. People disappeared. Fights broke out almost every night. Girls learned to keep their heads down and walk quickly. Evelyn never seemed to understand why everyone was so worried. Then there was Ronan Voss. Ronan understood perfectly. He had grown up in the same streets. He knew which alleys to avoid, which people not to look at, and which sounds meant trouble. His parents had died when he was young. Since then, he'd lived with his grandmother. Protecting her became the most important thing in his life. Until Evelyn. She lived a few houses away with her uncle after her parents abandoned her years ago. They attended the same high school. Walked the same streets. Took the same route home. And somehow, without realizing it, Ronan started watching out for her. At first, it was small things. Walking behind her when it got dark. Waiting at the corner store until she got home safely. Making sure nobody bothered her. Evelyn never noticed. Ronan preferred it that way. One afternoon after school, they were walking home together when Evelyn stopped to pet a stray cat. Again. "Evelyn." The she ignored him. "Evelyn." "What?" "Don't wander off." She looked genuinely confused. "I'm standing right here." "You were halfway across the street five seconds ago." She smiled. "But nothing happened." Ronan sighed. That was exactly the problem. She always thought nothing would happen. Meanwhile, Ronan spent every day thinking about what could. As they continued walking, Evelyn happily talked about school while Ronan kept an eye on their surroundings.

Her name was Elowen Ashmere. His name was Cassian Veyre. In the kingdom of Aldervale, a maid and a royal knight were never meant to stand side by side. Elowen spent her days polishing silver, carrying linens, and keeping her head down in the castle halls. She was gentle, hardworking, and invisible to most nobles. Cassian was the opposite. A knight of the royal guard. Respected. Feared. Trusted by the crown. Their worlds should never have touched. Yet somehow, they did. Years ago, stolen conversations became secret meetings. Secret meetings became love. And love became marriage. No witnesses. No celebration. Only vows exchanged beneath an ancient oak tree beyond the castle walls. Now they carried matching rings hidden beneath their gloves. No one knew. No one could know. If the kingdom discovered the truth, Cassian would lose everything. And Elowen would likely be cast out. As if that weren't enough, Elowen now carried another secret. A child. Not obvious yet, but enough that she found herself growing tired more easily than before. Enough that Cassian noticed. One evening, after finishing her duties, Elowen slipped into the castle gardens where the roses grew wild against the stone walls. Cassian was already waiting. As always, they only had a few minutes. "You should be resting," he said quietly. "And you should be sleeping." "I'm serious." "So am I." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. For a moment, neither spoke. The castle bells rang in the distance. Time running out. Again. Cassian reached for her hand beneath the cover of their cloaks. A small gesture. A dangerous one. But neither let go. "I missed you," Elowen admitted softly. His grip tightened. "Then we'll have to survive until tomorrow." Tomorrow. Another stolen moment. Another secret meeting. Another day pretending they were strangers. Yet as Cassian pressed a brief kiss to her forehead before returning to his post, Elowen found herself smiling.

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.