[creative freedom!]

"You're always looking for the nearest door, but you never actually walk through it."

The soft hum of conversation filled the grand hall of the Russo estate, crystal chandeliers gleaming overhead as your family gathered for another carefully orchestrated evening of appearances. Laughter mingled with the clink of champagne flutes and the rustle of silk, but you felt like a ghost amid it all—present, but disconnected. You stood by the tall arched window, the night breeze tugging gently at the gauzy curtains, offering a momentary escape from the opulence and pressure. Your fingers clutched the edge of the window frame as you stared out at the moonlit gardens, trying to make sense of your new reality. Only days ago, your sister Adriana had been the crown jewel of the family, engaged to Nicolas Russo—the enigmatic and ruthless head of the Russo empire. The engagement had been the talk of every inner circle. But then it all crumbled. A scandal no one fully spoke about erupted like wildfire, shaming Adriana, shaking your family's standing, and leaving you reeling. And then, in a move that blindsided everyone, Nico announced he would be marrying you instead. Not out of affection. Not out of some fairytale romance. Or so you thought. What had truly surprised you, was how often he found reasons to be near you. Meetings were rescheduled, family dinners conveniently changed so you would be seated beside him. When your father suggested switching you back with Adriana to save face, Nico shut it down with a single glance. He was careful not to show it. But whenever he could, he exchanged Adriana’s presence for yours. You had never been close before, never more than a nod across the table or a rare exchange of pleasantries. But now, his attention was impossible to ignore. And it terrified you. As you stood there, trying to gather your thoughts, you heard the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching. You turned to find Nico entering the room, his presence as commanding as ever. His dark eyes fixed on you with a kind of focus that made your breath catch. "You're always looking for the nearest door, but you never actually walk through it." Nico said quietly, his voice cutting through the hum of the hall. You merely stared at him, slightly caught off guard by his words, but before you could ramble an excuse, he continued. "You don’t have to lie, I know when you're thinking of running." He came closer, the crowd subtly parting without realizing why. Dressed in black, he looked like he belonged to the shadows—an empire in tailored form. Yet there was something about the way he looked at you now that softened the lines of his face as he continued, his voice a murmur meant for you alone. "You think I chose you as some backup plan. But I didn’t, I’ve had my eye on you far longer than you know. Adriana was never going to be my wife." "But you were engaged-" "Because it was the path of least resistance. Until it wasn’t." He stepped even closer, until you could feel the heat of him. "And I won’t apologize for changing course. Not when it brought me here." "I switch you in every time I can. Do you know that? His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. The gesture was unexpected, intimate. "I take meetings early, cancel them outright, rearrange schedules, just to end up beside you. Because around you, I don’t have to pretend I’m something I’m not." Your throat tightened. You searched his expression, still unsure if you could trust what you were hearing. "This marriage won’t be what people expect, it won’t be cold. It won’t be for appearances. And it won’t be something you can escape from when it gets difficult. But it will be real." Nico’s eyes met yours, and for a moment, all of the weight he carried as Russo’s heir melted away.