The Russo mansion was never quiet.
Even in the late evening, the house carried a constant hum—staff moving through marble corridors, distant murmurs of conversations, the faint clink of glasses from the sitting room.
But tonight, the tension in the main lounge was thicker than usual.
Matteo Russo stood near the tall window, his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark trousers. Outside, the city lights stretched endlessly, glowing beneath the night sky.
Behind him, his father cleared his throat.
"Matteo."
The tone alone told him this conversation would not be pleasant.
Matteo turned slowly. His expression was calm, but the slight tightening of his jaw showed his patience was already wearing thin.
Across from him sat his parents.
His father looked stern as always, sitting straight in the armchair like a man used to being obeyed.
His mother, however, looked fragile tonight. A blanket rested across her lap, and the soft lamplight made the paleness of her face even more obvious.
The sight made something in Matteo's chest tighten.
His mother gave him a small smile.
"Sit down, Matteo."
He didn't move.
"I'd rather stand."
His father sighed impatiently.
"You're thirty-two years old," he said bluntly. "And still behaving like a stubborn child whenever this topic comes up."
Matteo already knew what was coming.
Marriage.
It was always marriage.
"I assume," Matteo said calmly, "this conversation is about the same thing as always."
His father leaned forward.
"It's about responsibility."
Matteo raised an eyebrow.
"To the family," his father continued. "To our name. To our future."
Matteo gave a faint, humorless smile.
"Our future seems to be doing just fine."
"That is not what I meant."
Silence fell briefly.
Then his mother spoke, her voice gentle but tired.
"Matteo… I just want to see you happy."
That softened him a little.
He walked closer and sat on the couch across from them.
"I am happy, Mother."
"You work all the time," she said quietly. "You live alone. You keep everyone at a distance."
Matteo didn't respond.
Because in truth, she wasn't wrong.
His life was complicated in ways his parents could never understand.
And for their sake, he intended to keep it that way.
His father folded his hands together.
"There is another reason we called you tonight."
Matteo looked at him.
"And what reason would that be?"
His father exchanged a brief glance with his mother.
Then he said the name.
"The Harrington family."
Matteo's expression immediately darkened.
"Absolutely not."
His father frowned.
"You don't even know what I was going to say."
"I don't need to."
But his father continued anyway.
"They have formally proposed a marriage between you and their daughter."
Matteo let out a short laugh.
A cold one.
"Madeline Harrington?"
"Yes."
Matteo stood up immediately.
"That is not happening."
His father's patience snapped.
"You refuse every woman we suggest!"
"And I will continue to do so."
"You cannot remain unmarried forever!"
Matteo's voice dropped, firm and unmovable.
"Watch me."
His mother looked distressed.
"Matteo, please—"
But he shook his head.
"With all respect, I will not marry someone I don't even like. Especially not Madeline Harrington."
His father's eyes narrowed.
"She is from a powerful family."
"She is spoiled, arrogant, and insufferable."
"Matteo."
"She has been chasing me for years," Matteo continued calmly. "And I have made it clear every single time that I am not interested."
His father slammed his hand lightly on the armrest.
"This marriage would strengthen both families."
Matteo grabbed his jacket from the chair.
"I don't need strengthening."
He started toward the door.
"Matteo," his mother called softly.
He stopped.
For a moment he looked back at her, guilt flickering across his face.
"I'll visit tomorrow, Mother."
Then he left.
⸻
Twenty minutes later, Matteo stepped into a quiet bar tucked inside one of the city's luxury hotels.
He spotted his friend immediately.
Luca sat at their usual table, scrolling through his phone with a glass of whiskey in front of him.
Matteo pulled out the chair across from him.
Luca glanced up.
"Well," he said casually. "You look like you just survived a family meeting."
Matteo leaned back in his chair.
"Barely."
Luca pushed the second glass toward him.
"Let me guess. Marriage again?"
Matteo took a sip.
"Harrington family."
Luca nearly choked on his drink.
"Oh no."
"Yes."
"Madeline Harrington?"
Matteo gave him a flat look.
"Who else?"
Luca leaned back, shaking his head.
"That woman is a nightmare."
"Tell me something I don't know."
Luca laughed.
"She's been obsessed with you since she was like nineteen."
"I know."
"I once saw her throw a glass of champagne at a waiter because he looked at you for too long."
Matteo rubbed his temple.
"That sounds like her."
"So your parents said yes?"
Matteo's eyes narrowed.
"I said no."
"Of course you did."
Luca took another sip of his drink.
"So what now?"
"My father will continue insisting."
"And Madeline will continue stalking you."
Matteo sighed quietly.
"Exactly."
Luca studied him for a moment.
"You know what your real problem is?"
Matteo raised an eyebrow.
"I'm afraid you're about to tell me."
"You refuse to marry anyone."
"Correct."
"So your parents think the only solution is to force you into one."
Matteo didn't respond.
Luca tapped the table thoughtfully.
"Well… there is a very simple solution."
Matteo looked at him.
"And what would that be?"
Luca shrugged casually.
"Get someone pregnant."
Matteo stared at him.
Luca smirked.
"I'm serious."
Matteo shook his head.
"That is not a solution."
"Sure it is," Luca continued lazily. "Your parents want grandchildren. Give them one."
"And Madeline?"
Luca grinned.
"Hard to force you into marriage when you already have a baby with someone else."
Matteo didn't laugh.
Instead, he went quiet.
Very quiet.
Luca noticed the change almost immediately.
"Hey," he said slowly. "I was joking."
Matteo leaned back in his chair.
His mind was already moving quickly.
Calculating.
Analyzing.
Then he spoke.
"Not pregnant."
Luca frowned.
"What?"
Matteo looked at him.
"A surrogate."
Luca blinked.
Matteo continued calmly.
"I don't need a relationship. I don't need a wife."
He took another sip of his drink.
"Just someone to carry my child."
Luca stared at him for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"Oh my God."
Matteo's expression remained serious.
"You're actually considering this."
"It solves both problems."
Luca leaned forward.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"And your parents?"
"They want an heir."
"And Madeline?"
Matteo's lips curved slightly.
"She won't be able to marry a man who already has a child on the way."
Luca shook his head slowly.
"You are unbelievable."
Matteo stood.
His mind was already made up.
"I'll speak to a specialist tomorrow."
Luca looked up at him.
"You move fast."
Matteo adjusted his jacket.
"If my parents want an heir…"
He paused.
Then said quietly:
"I'll give them one."
"But I won't marry for it."