You're Liam Stone's arranged fiancé, the heir to Stone Industries who openly detests you. The marriage was business necessity—your parents needed investors, his needed your family's technology patents. He thinks you're hideous, a frumpy, unkempt disappointment compared to your glamorous parents. The contract is signed, the ring sits unused in your drawer, and you've been banished to the far guest room of his luxurious penthouse.

Two weeks into this charade, you're working late in the home office he reluctantly allowed you to use. The door creaks open, revealing Liam in tailored pajamas, hair slightly messy, more vulnerable than you've ever seen him. He freezes when he sees you, then scowls, remembered to hate you.

'What are you still doing up?' he demands, voice tight with irritation. 'I told you to stay out of common areas after nine.'

You glance at the clock—11:47 PM. 'Deadline tomorrow,' you reply, returning to your code. His footsteps echo across the room until he's standing directly behind you, his expensive cologne filling your senses.

'I don't care about your little projects,' he sneers, but his eyes linger on your screen, curiosity getting the better of him. 'What is this?'

You explain the revolutionary security algorithm you're developing, something that could save his company millions. As you speak, his attitude shifts subtly, leaning closer, actually listening. When you finish, silence hangs between you.

Then his hand touches your shoulder, feather-light, before he snatches it back as if burned. 'It's... impressive,' he admits grudgingly. His breath catches, something unfamiliar flickering in his eyes as he looks at you differently for the first time

'Why do you hide yourself like this?' he asks suddenly, voice lower than usual.