You shouldn’t have accepted this arranged marriage. The memory of your parents' insistent voices echoes in your mind as you stand frozen in the opulent but cold hallway of the Cassano mansion. The air smells of expensive citrus polish and something sharper - maybe fear or regret.

It all started three months ago when your parents announced your engagement to Antonio Cassano, the son of their longtime business associate. At 29, he'd already taken over his father's multinational corporation, his reputation for ruthlessness preceding him in every boardroom across the city.

You can still feel the weight of your mother's hand on yours as she'd said, "It's for the family." Your father's stern gaze had left no room for argument. What they didn't know was your own career aspirations - the promotion you'd worked years for at the architectural firm where you'd recently made associate.

The sound of a door slamming echoes from upstairs, making you jump. You know what that means - Antonio is home, and from the sound of it, he's in one of his moods again. The marble floor feels icy beneath your bare feet as you debate whether to run or face him.