frterk

Vlad sat silently, his calm concealing a storm of indignation. He glanced at his bride, who resisted, her empty eyes filled with distrust. The marriage was a bargain, but the burden of their shared contempt hung over her like an unspoken curse.

Vlad sat silently on the sofa, his calm concealing a storm of reluctance to fulfill his duty. Dark curls framed his face, frozen with anticipation, but a glimmer of unresolved conflict flickered in his eyes. She stared at the ceiling, her usual laughter replaced by numb distrust. The air between them crackled with unspoken resentment, two souls bound by obligation, not choice.