In the palace of the cold man

Chapter 1: A Signature Without a Glance Lamar stood before the grand hall door, her heart pounding fiercely as if it wanted to escape her chest. The sounds around her were muffled—the whispers of family and their tense murmurs filled the room—but she felt as if all eyes were fixed on her, on a decision she had not chosen. She remembered her father’s words just minutes ago: "This marriage is for our benefit. No matter how hard it is, you must endure." She took two heavy steps toward the table where the white papers awaited her. Sitting there was Asser, the businessman known for his black suits and cold, emotionless gaze. He didn’t lift his eyes from his phone, as if completely ignoring her presence. She approached him in a quiet voice: – Are you… going to talk to me? But he didn’t reply. He only said coldly: – Sign here. Her hand trembled as she held the pen, trying to steady herself. She wrote her name with all the confidence she could muster despite the fear squeezing her heart: Lamar Khaled Al-Asiri. After finishing the signature, she raised her eyes to watch Asser, hoping for a glance, any kind of reaction—but there was only chilling coldness. He said quietly to the lawyer: – It’s done. Take her to the guest suite. She didn’t move, staring at him lost in thought: "Why this harshness? Why does he feel nothing?" A hot tear slipped from her eye, but she held back her cry, gripping her bag tightly as she walked toward the room that was now her new home. In her heart, this was not just a marriage, but the beginning of a long journey whose length she did not yet know. Chapter 2: The Cold Room Lamar stepped into the guest suite, her heart still fluttering like it wanted to escape her chest. The room was spacious, but its coldness surrounded her from all sides. The white walls were bare, without any pictures or decorations, and a large distant window overlooked a silent garden, though its calmness was far from comforting. She sat on the old wooden chair beside the small table, feeling the weight of becoming the wife of a man she didn’t know and who didn’t seem to care for her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her thoughts only grew more scattered. “How will I live here?” she murmured. “Is he really the cold man they say he is? Or is there a side I haven’t seen yet?” Her memories of her father’s quiet words before she left came back to her: “This marriage is for our benefit. You have no choice. Just endure.” She stared at the room that was now her home and felt a crushing loneliness. Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind the door, and Asser slowly opened it and stood there silently. His gaze was heavier than any words. She spoke with a trembling but determined voice: “Why did you agree to this marriage? We’ve never met, and you haven’t given me a single reason.” He stared at her for a few seconds, then answered: “Because it was the only way out of a predicament I didn’t choose.” She didn’t understand what he meant, but he quietly closed the door, leaving Lamar with unanswered questions. She got up and hurried to the window, staring at the garden, wondering what the coming days would hold. Chapter 3: The First Meeting The next morning, Lamar woke to a soft knock on the door. Her heart fluttered between anxiety and anticipation. She wasn’t sure what awaited her in this cold house where she never felt warmth. Asser quietly opened the door and stood there calmly. This time, his eyes carried a hint of mystery instead of the usual coldness. He entered the room and sat at the edge of the bed, avoiding direct eye contact. He spoke in a low voice: “I didn’t intend for our marriage to be like this... I have many things I need to explain to you.” Lamar looked at him in surprise: “What do you mean?” “Sometimes life forces us to make difficult decisions we can’t share with anyone...” He sighed deeply, then added: “There are many things about me you don’t know and the reasons I agreed to this marriage.” Lamar listened attentively, sensing that behind this mysterious man was a story much bigger than she imagined. Suddenly, Asser smiled lightly for the first time: “I’ll prove to you that I’m more than just a cold man... that this icy heart can melt before you.” Lamar felt a strange warmth pierce her heart despite all the fear and doubts. But she knew she had to discover the truth herself and face whatever would come with him together.