Bound by fire, Claimed by love

Evelyn sat in the grand drawing room of Ravenshire Manor, her hands resting on the delicate embroidery of her gown as a seamstress adjusted the fit. The fabric was luxurious, handpicked by the finest specialists in the empire—specialists sent by Damian.

Not him.

He had promised.

We'll choose everything together.

And yet, here she was, being fitted for a wedding dress without him by her side.

Lady Isabelle, seated nearby with a cup of tea, glanced at Evelyn's expression. "You look like you swallowed something bitter."

Evelyn forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Isabelle didn't look convinced, but before she could pry, the seamstress pinned another adjustment and began discussing veil options. The entire day passed in this manner—wedding plans unfolding, vendors arriving, all arranged by Damian.

All without him.

By the time evening fell, Evelyn sat alone in her chambers, staring at the flickering candlelight.

She should be happy.

Everything was going smoothly.

So why did something feel off?

Her thoughts wandered back to Duke Alistair, to Lady Celeste, to the unease that had lingered in her heart ever since that night.

And now, this.

A fiancé who, despite claiming to love her, was slowly pulling away without even realizing it.

Was it truly just the weight of his responsibilities?

Or was something else happening beneath the surface?

The unanswered questions curled around her like shadows.

Something was wrong.

She just didn't know what it was yet.