The car rolled to a stop in front of a lavish estate — towering gates, trimmed hedges, glass windows that reflected the cold blue sky. It looked less like a house and more like a museum.
Riven stepped out without a word, slamming the door behind him. He tossed the keys to the butler, who caught them in surprise.
Inside the car, Iris flinched at the sudden noise.
The butler turned to open the passenger side, confused. His brows furrowed at the sight — a girl curled in the seat, dirt-streaked and trembling, her clothes in tatters, barefoot and clearly injured. For a moment, he hesitated. Then quietly said, "Boss went inside," and motioned toward the entrance.
Iris gave a weak nod and stepped out, limping slightly as she followed the path.
The lights inside were warm, golden. Chatter echoed from the grand hallway. Marble floors, chandeliers, the scent of polished wood — everything screamed wealth and power. Iris felt like an intruder in a dream.
Standing tall at the grand entrance were Riven's parents — Lilia, his mother, elegant and graceful, and Alan, his father, firm and commanding. The power couple of the family — their presence was magnetic, undeniable.
A maid saw her from across the hall. Her eyes widened at the sight of the girl — barefoot, bruised, filthy.
"Hey! This isn't a place for beggars!" the maid snapped, storming toward her.
Iris flinched backward, her heart leaping into her throat.
The sound of footsteps came from behind the maid — Riven, standing in the hallway with his arms around a woman and a man.
Their embrace broke the moment they noticed where his gaze had shifted.
Riven turned, following their line of sight.
"Oh, right," he muttered, pulling away from them. "Almost forgot. Mom, Dad — she's that fucking bastard Trevor's daughter."
His tone was cold. Disgusted.
Alan, his father, looked again at the girl trembling near the entrance. The bruises, the dirt, the terrified expression.
Lilia let go of her son and took a step forward.
"Riven brought her," she said softly to the maid. Her voice was calm, but laced with steel.
The maid immediately paled. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't know..."
Lilia's eyes returned to the trembling girl now barely standing near the door. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Iris shut her eyes tightly, overwhelmed. Her body trembled, trying to stop herself from collapsing entirely.
The voice — sweet, calm, gentle — was so unfamiliar that it almost scared her more.
She opened her eyes slowly.
Riven stood in the distance, expression unreadable. Behind him was a man who looked just like him — sharp jawline, piercing stare — but older, and less brutal.
Riven frowned and looked sideways at his father. "What is Mom doing?"
Alan smiled faintly. "You know how soft-hearted your mother is."
"she's in a really bad condition." Alan glanced at Iris again. "These bruises — did you do this this?"
Alan arched a brow.
Riven shook his head. "No. I didn't beat her. Just locked her up for a bit. Looks like her house was worse. I'm guessing she was abused before."
Alan gave a quiet nod, seemingly lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Lilia knelt slightly to meet Iris's eyes. "What's your name, dear?"
Iris, calming just slightly, whispered, "...Iris."
Lilia's face lit up. "That's a beautiful name. I'm Lilia — Riven's mother. And that's my husband, Alan."
Iris looked between the two of them. Lilia looked kind. Delicate features, soft voice, so different from the cold cruelty she'd been shown for days.
Alan, in contrast, bore the same facial structure as Riven — sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes — but his energy was more... measured. Controlled. Where Riven was fire, Alan was ice.
Riven and his father turned and walked toward the inner study.
"So," Riven began, "I was thinking of flying out to Italy tonight. Vallar's private jet is prepped. I'll lay low for a week."
Alan nodded. "Good. You'll be safer there. But we have another problem."
Riven stiffened.
"Derek's filed a lawsuit. If we don't act, he'll block the handover of the company. I retire in one week, and I can't extend it. You need to finalize the transfer before then."
"What are you saying?"
"So," Alan said slowly, "legally, to keep the shares within the family line, we need stability on record. That means a marital status. A wife. Preferably before dawn tomorrow."
Riven blinked. "You're kidding."
"You heard me. It doesn't need to be love. Just a legal certificate. A contract marriage for a year is enough. Once it's done, you can end it."
Riven dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. "I've been chasing Trevor nonstop. My men slipped up — blew their cover. That's how Derek found out about our moves. I messed up, and now I don't even have time to fix it."
Alan's eyes flicked upward.
Lilia was gently leading Iris upstairs, her hand resting protectively on the girl's shoulder.
Alan turned back to Riven. "What's that girl's name again?"
"...Iris. Why?"
Alan leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "Use her."
"What?" Riven's tone darkened.
"Get a marriage certificate with her name on it," Alan continued. "You don't need a wedding. No ceremony. Just the paper. Tonight."
"You're out of your mind," Riven snapped, spinning around to face him. "She's Trevor's daughter. She's like... what, eighteen?"
Alan chuckled. "She's of legal age, Riven. I'm not asking you to sleep with her or start a real marriage. I'm asking you to be smart. You already have her under your roof. Under your control. She's scared, broken, and alone. She won't betray you. She has no one else. In fact, it might benefit her. A roof, protection — she gets to disappear for a year. Then she's free."
Riven's expression twisted, disgust and disbelief warring on his face. "You want me to marry that trembling sparrow?"
Alan's voice was calm, calculated. "She's perfect for this. We don't have time to find someone trustworthy before morning. You can't go underground without securing the company first. This is a solution. A clean one."
Riven exhaled sharply, pacing the room. His mind was racing — flashes of Iris in the car, silent and shaking. Iris on the road, broken and barefoot. Iris, flinching when the maid yelled. She hadn't even looked at him without fear in her eyes.
And now this?
He raked a hand through his hair. "I don't know..."
Alan stood and walked over, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "Lets talk to your mother first."
Riven looked up the staircase where Iris had vanished.
"...Marry her," he muttered. "God."
He sighed.
"I'll wait till Mom comes down."