Eliana Bennett sighed, her gaze drifting to the window where the afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting golden stripes across the floor. Five months ago, the idea of marrying Rafael would have filled her with joy—unfettered, passionate, without strings. Now, it was a tool, a weapon in her arsenal. "Yes, that sounds fine," she replied nonchalantly, her tone devoid of the romance that once colored her words. "As long as it gets me what I need."
Rafael studied her, noting the shift in her demeanor—the quiet strength hardening into something sharper. "And what is it you need, exactly? Beyond the protection?"
