Yun Lan sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers trembling as they traced the edges of the forged marriage certificate resting on her lap. The word married stared back at her like a cruel joke, mocking the helplessness curling inside her chest. How had her life come to this? How had the kind, ordinary girl who once saved a dangerous man turned into a prisoner in her own home?
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes, willing the nightmare to end. But no matter how much she wished, reality was harsh and unyielding.
Leon—the man with the dark, stormy eyes and a temper like a tempest—was now legally her husband. Not because she wanted it, but because he forced it upon her. Because she saved him once, and now he claimed her as his own.
Her heart hammered painfully in her chest. She knew she couldn't stay here—not like this. Not trapped under his watchful gaze, not dressed in a wedding gown that felt like armor rather than something beautiful. There had to be a way out.
Suddenly, her gaze flickered to the window—the tall, wide window behind her, curtains slightly parted to reveal the faint glow of the streetlights outside.
Maybe I could run. Maybe I could escape.
The thought was reckless and desperate, but it sparked a fragile flame of hope inside her. She could climb out, slip into the night, and disappear. No more lies, no more forced kisses, no more feeling like she belonged to someone else.
But was she brave enough?
Morning Breaks
Before the sun had fully risen, sharp knocking jolted her from her thoughts. Her heart seized as the sound echoed through the small apartment.
"Yun Lan," came Leon's low, commanding voice from the other side of the door. "It's time."
She took a shaky breath, shoved the marriage certificate deep into her drawer, and crept toward the door. Her fingers barely managed to open it just an inch.
Leon stood there, tall and imposing, his dark coat damp from the early morning mist. His eyes glinted with cold certainty, as if the world belonged to him—and now, so did she.
"Are you ready?" he asked quietly, but his voice carried no room for refusal.
Yun Lan's throat tightened. "I... I don't have a choice, do I?"
Leon smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that made her skin crawl. "No. You don't."
He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
The Drive of No Return
Leon's car waited outside, sleek and black like a panther. Yun Lan slid into the passenger seat, clutching the small bag she had thrown together the night before.
The silence was suffocating.
Neither spoke as they drove through the sleepy streets toward his mansion.
Finally, unable to bear the quiet any longer, Yun Lan whispered, "Where are you taking me?"
"To my home. Our home now."
She swallowed hard, heart sinking.
She didn't belong here. She didn't belong to him.
The Mansion of Shadows
The mansion loomed before her like a fortress—its high stone walls guarded by cold-eyed men who watched her every move.
Leon strode inside confidently, and she followed, feeling more like a prisoner than a bride.
Inside, the halls were grand but cold, decorated with expensive art that lacked warmth.
In a dimly lit room, a pristine white wedding dress hung on a stand, waiting.
Leon's voice broke the silence. "I expect you to wear this."
Yun Lan's eyes widened. "I can't. I won't."
He moved closer, his voice low and hard. "You will."
"And if I refuse?"
"Do you want a scandal? To ruin your family's reputation?"
Her throat constricted at his words.
She knew she couldn't fight this—not yet.
A Desperate Plan
Dressed in the constricting wedding gown, Yun Lan stood before the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the pale, frightened girl staring back.
Her mind raced.
The window.
It was tall, just behind her.
If she moved quickly, she could slip out and run away.
But could she? The thought was terrifying and thrilling all at once.
Her fingers brushed the heavy curtain as her heart hammered in her chest.
If she was caught...
Her mind flashed back to the night before—his rough hands, his demanding kiss, the hunger in his eyes.
She swallowed hard, torn between fear and hope.
Leon's Watchful Eyes
"Beautiful, aren't you?" Leon's voice was suddenly at her side, dark and low.
She jumped, spinning to face him.
His eyes bore into hers, unreadable.
"Why do you look at me like I'm the enemy?" he asked quietly.
"Because you treat me like one."
He sighed, an unexpected softness entering his gaze.
"I'm afraid of losing you," he admitted.
She shook her head. "You can't own me."
"Not yet," he said with a sly smile. "But soon."
The Ceremony
The ceremony was cold and private—only the minister and Leon's closest men witnessed it.
Yun Lan felt like a ghost, reciting vows she didn't believe.
When Leon slid the ring onto her finger, his dark eyes locked on hers.
"I'm yours."
She wanted to scream. She was his—but not by choice.
Nightfall: The Escape Attempt
The mansion was silent except for the crackle of the fireplace.
Leon led her into a vast bedroom.
He closed the heavy door behind them.
"This is our night."
Her breath hitched.
"I don't want this."
His smile was cruel. "Too bad. You're my wife now."
She backed against the wall, heart pounding.
Her eyes darted to the window again.
Maybe—just maybe—she could escape.
She moved quickly, hands shaking as she pulled the heavy curtain aside.
Leon's voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some air," she lied.
He followed, dark and silent.
With a surge of courage, Yun Lan pushed open the window.
The cool night air hit her face.
She climbed out, feet scrambling on the narrow ledge.
Below, the garden stretched wide and shadowy.
A leap.
Her heart screamed.
She jumped.
The Fall and Capture
The fall was terrifying and fast.