Ojo_Omowumi

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
To save her family from ruin, Aria Chen agrees to a marriage she never wanted—with Elias Xian, a powerful and emotionally distant CEO. Their relationship is bound by a contract, not love. She's expected to stay quiet, act perfect, and disappear when the deal ends.

But Elias didn’t expect his silent bride to challenge his heart. And Aria didn’t expect the cold man behind the contract to make her feel anything at all.

As the lines blur between duty and desire, secrets unravel and emotions ignite. But can a marriage built on silence survive the noise of truth?

In a world where love isn’t part of the agreement, will their hearts rewrite the terms?

Silent Vows

Aria sat by the tall window in the drawing room, the late afternoon sun spilling golden light over her still-aching side. The mansion felt quiet, almost too still. She kept her gaze steady on the distant garden, careful not to betray the swirl of emotions tightening her chest.

The door opened quietly, and a soft voice broke the silence.

She didn't turn immediately. When she did, a woman stepped forward with effortless grace—her posture perfect, her smile warm and genuine, but carrying the faintest edge beneath the surface.

"Liana," Elias said as he appeared behind the woman, his expression unreadable.

Aria's voice was steady, almost distant. "Hello."

Liana's eyes swept over Aria briefly, appraising, before settling on Elias. "It's been some time."

"Too long," he said, his tone clipped, betraying nothing.

The two fell into conversation as if no time had passed, exchanging light laughter and memories. Their easy camaraderie filled the room like a subtle storm brewing beneath the surface.

Aria watched, her hands clenched softly in her lap. She told herself this was none of her business, that she was simply a piece on a chessboard—necessary but replaceable. Liana was part of Elias's past, and Aria had no place there.

Yet, as she listened to their shared jokes and the way Elias's eyes softened just slightly when he looked at Liana, something unexpected stirred inside her.

Not jealousy—not quite—but a quiet tenderness, a softness she hadn't allowed herself to feel before.

Her heart betrayed her in silence, but her face remained unreadable.

When Elias's glance flicked to her briefly, Aria met his eyes head-on, refusing to give anything away. The cold mask she'd worn for so long settled firmly back into place.

To Elias, she was just a mission. A contract to be fulfilled.

The thought both stung and strangely comforted her.

When Liana finally stood to leave, her smile was warm and sweet—almost genuine—but Aria caught the subtle tilt of her head, the way her eyes lingered just a moment too long on Elias, the way she spoke with an intimacy Aria could never claim.

"Take care, Aria," Liana said softly. "You're stronger than you know."

As the door clicked shut behind her, the silence that returned was heavier, filled with unspoken truths.

Alone again, Aria allowed herself one small breath, one tiny admission: maybe she cared more than she wanted to admit.

But for now, that softness would remain locked away—hidden behind the unyielding walls she had built.

Because in this game, vulnerability was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Mask and Shadows