Elena stood in front of her bedroom mirror, staring at the girl she no longer recognized.
Her reflection didn't show fear. It showed emptiness.
She hadn't cried. Not once. Crying wouldn't change what was coming. Crying wouldn't stop the black car that was on its way. Crying wouldn't stop him.
She still remembered the way Adrian Knight's voice had sounded—calm, certain, terrifying. As if her resistance was irrelevant. As if she was already bound to him, no matter what she said or did.
"You're already mine."
A soft knock came at the door.
"Elena?" It was Maria, the only maid who ever treated her like a person. "The car is here."
Her stomach twisted, but her expression didn't change.
"Come in," she whispered.
Maria stepped inside, eyes glistening. She carried a dress Elena hadn't seen before. It was white. Simple. Delicate lace along the neckline. Not bridal, not entirely, but close enough to make Elena's throat tighten.
"Your father said you're to wear this."
Elena didn't reply.
Maria placed the dress on the bed gently. "Please… whatever he's forcing you into… just survive it, Elena. Please."
Survive.
That word chilled her more than anything else.
Without another word, she changed.
The fabric felt soft against her skin, but her body felt foreign inside it. Like she was dressing someone else. Like she'd already disappeared, and this girl in white was all that was left.
When she stepped outside, the mansion was dead silent. Even the guards looked away when she passed.
At the gate, the car waited.
A black SUV. Windows tinted too dark to see through. The driver, a man in a tailored black suit, opened the door without looking at her.
"Miss."
She hesitated only a second.
Then she stepped inside.
The door shut.
The world outside vanished.
---
The ride was silent.
Elena sat stiffly, gripping the edge of the seat as city lights blurred past the windows. The driver said nothing. She didn't ask where they were going. She knew it didn't matter.
She was being delivered.
Hours, or maybe minutes, later, the car slowed.
Massive iron gates loomed ahead. Beyond them, the mansion.
It wasn't just a house. It was a fortress. Cold stone. Black glass. No signs of life, no warmth, no hint of a home.
The gates parted silently.
The driver pulled into the long driveway, stopping before the towering front doors.
He stepped out.
The door beside her opened.
"We've arrived, Miss."
Elena swallowed.
Her legs felt weak as she stepped onto the stone driveway.
She looked up.
And there he was.
Adrian Knight stood at the top of the marble steps.
Waiting.
Watching.
Still in the same black suit.
Expression unreadable.
Eyes merciless.
She should have run. She should have begged. But her body moved without her permission, carrying her up the stairs toward him, step by agonizing step.
When she reached him, she looked up—only slightly—and whispered, "Why are you doing this?"
His jaw tightened. His eyes flickered, almost like something inside him cracked. But it was gone too fast for her to understand.
"Follow me."
He didn't answer.
He simply turned and walked inside.
She had no choice but to follow.
---
The mansion was colder inside than outside. Black marble floors, glass walls, silence pressing from every corner. The house felt dead.
Adrian led her through endless hallways until they reached a massive double door.
He pushed it open.
Her bedroom.
It was huge. Too huge. Walls of glass overlooked the dark city skyline. A king-sized bed sat in the center, white silk sheets untouched.
"This is yours."
Elena turned. "Where will you sleep?"
His gaze hardened. "Not here."
Then he stepped closer, too close, and she felt her heart slam against her ribs.
"But understand something, Elena." Her name sounded like a curse in his mouth. "You're my wife now. You don't get to leave. Ever."
Her breath hitched. She hated him. Hated the way he said it like a promise, not a threat.
"I didn't agree to this," she whispered.
"I don't care."
He stepped back.
"You'll stay here. Until I decide otherwise."
Then, without warning, he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.
Elena stood frozen in the silent room.
Caged.
Owned.
She waited until her legs gave out, until she collapsed onto the bed, until silent tears stained the perfect white sheets.
But sleep never came.
Hours passed.
And then…
In the dead of night…
The door creaked open.
Slowly.
Silently.
Elena bolted upright.
Footsteps.
Closer.
Closer.
And then—
A shadow stepped inside.
Not Adrian.
Someone else.
Someone wearing a mask.
And they were walking straight toward her.