Chapter 1

On Christmas Eve, I was organizing some folklore research materials when I turned to Sebastian Zayas beside me with a smile.

"Hey, you think our 'business-style marriage' might just fade away one day, like those old traditions?" I asked.

Sebastian was busy checking the schedule for the company's Christmas party, not even looking up. "Sue, don't overthink it. We're a couple, not business partners. I'll never break my promises."

I bit my lip and laughed at myself for being so sensitive. Our families set it up, but in these two years, he'd been solid, reliable, and thoughtful about everything.

Everyone said we were the most stable couple among all the family-arranged marriages.

Then came another Christmas Eve. I sat alone at the dining table, watching the food go cold, listening to him on the phone, his voice soft as he comforted another girl, "Don't be scared. I've got you."

*****

"Sue, go ahead and eat. Something came up at Violeta's studio. Someone threw a rock through the window. I need to handle it." The background noise was loud. A girl was crying, trying to muffle it.

I said, "It's Christmas Eve."

"I know." His words came fast. "But she's alone here with no family. That studio is everything she has. I'll sort it out and be back soon."

"How soon?" I asked again.

"Sue," His voice dropped, that unmistakable commanding edge creeping in. "Don't fuss. This is important."

Then I heard Violeta Wilkerson on the line, her voice cracking. "Mr. Zayas, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Am I ruining your Christmas Eve with Ms. Tucker?"

"It's fine." Sebastian's voice immediately softened. "Don't be scared. I had someone pulling security footage. I'm here. The project won't fall apart."

On the first Christmas Eve after we got married, it snowed like crazy that year. He canceled everything, walked through the door covered in snow, holding my favorite chestnut cake.

"Ms. Tucker, you've been working so hard." Sebastian warmed his hands before touching my face.

We decorated the Christmas tree together. I couldn't reach the top, so he held me up. I was shaking, hung the star crooked, and he laughed. "It's perfect. It adds character."

We stayed up till midnight. Fireworks lit up the sky outside, and he held me close, his breath warm against my ear. "Sue, we're gonna have this forever."

I didn't know when he hung up. The soup was ice-cold by then.

I went to hang his coat. My hand hit a hard card in the pocket. It was Violeta's studio access pass. The girl in the photo wore an innocent smile.

There was also a pink heat patch with a Hello Kitty pattern. I'd never use something like that.

At 1 a.m., Sebastian came in, still carrying that winter chill, exhaustion written all over him. He stopped short when he saw me still at the table. "Why aren't you in bed?" he asked.

"I was waiting for you," I replied.

Sebastian rubbed his temples, walked over, and tried to pull me close. I stepped aside. His hand hung there for a second. Then he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a velvet box. "It's your Christmas gift. See if you like it?"

I didn't need to open it. I knew what was inside. Last month, I was scrolling through Instagram and mentioned offhand that I liked a certain bracelet.

It was so typical of Sebastian. He remembered every little thing I mentioned and then bought the most expensive version to fill all the spaces he left empty.

I thought that was how love ended up. At least he was responsible, and that was enough. Except now his responsibility wasn't just for me.

"You don't like it?" he asked, frowning.

"Nope." I pushed the box back. "It's too heavy for me."

His face tightened. "Sue, I was out all night dealing with things. I didn't mean to blow off dinner. Violeta's situation is complicated. She..."

"She's got it rough. She has no family. That studio is her whole world." I finished it for him. "I know. You've said it so many times."

Sebastian looked at me like I was being unreasonable. "What are you even mad about? That I missed Christmas dinner?"

I stood up and headed for the bedroom.

"Susanna." He caught my wrist. "Talk to me."

I pulled away. "I'm tired. Going to sleep."

Sebastian stood there watching me for a long moment. Finally, with a sigh, his voice softened. "Okay. My bad. In a couple of days, I'll make it up to you. We'll go watch fireworks somewhere, okay?"

I didn't answer, and he took that as a yes. After a shower, he got in bed. Soon his breathing evened out.

I lay there staring at the dark ceiling. My phone screen lit up on the nightstand.

[Susanna, happy holidays. The museum is officially extending an offer for that position we discussed. Contract draft attached. You have a month to consider. Looking forward to working with you.]