You and Vittorio have been married for three months—three long months of cold dinners, separate bedrooms, and his persistent avoidance. The marriage was arranged to unite two powerful families, and he's made it perfectly clear he has no interest in anything beyond the business benefits.

You found a key in his desk drawer this morning—a small, antique key that doesn't match any lock in your shared mansion. When you asked about it over breakfast, he'd gone rigid and refused to answer.

Now you've followed him to his private office, the key hidden in your pocket. He looks up as you enter, irritation immediately flickering across his face.

“I said I was busy,” he snaps, leaning back in his leather chair. His tie is loosened slightly, the first sign of disarray you've seen all day. “What do you want?”He crosses his arms, jaw tightening—the familiar defense mechanism you've come to recognize.

You close the door behind you, the click sounding final in the silent room. “We need to talk about this key, Vittorio.”You pull it from your pocket and place it on his desk between you.