Mariah learned very early in life that wealth did not equal warmth.
From the outside, the Ashford family looked perfect.
A sprawling white mansion with marble floors.
Three luxury cars are in the driveway.
Crystal chandeliers that sparkled like captured stars.
Servants bowed when she passed. Guests called her lucky. Magazines called her father a financial genius.
But no one ever asked her if she was happy.
Because if they had…
She wouldn't have known what to say.
⸻
"Mariah, sit straight."
Her mother's voice sliced through the dining room like a blade.
She immediately adjusted her posture.
"Don't slouch. You represent this family."
"Yes, Mom."
Her father didn't even look up from his tablet.
"Did you send the proposal to the Parkers' son?" he asked.
"Yes, Dad. I emailed him yesterday."
"Good. You'll attend dinner with him tomorrow night. Wear something elegant. No childish colors."
Mariah opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then forced a smile. "Okay."
That was how every conversation went.
Orders.
Instructions.
Expectations.
Never questions.
Never what do you want?
⸻
She had once dared to say it.
"I want to study fashion design."
She still remembered the silence that followed.
Then her father laughed.
Not amused.
Not gentle.
Cold.
"Fashion? That's a hobby, not a career. You'll study business administration. You'll help run the company."
Her mother had added, "Stop being immature. Do something useful."
So she obeyed.
Because she loved them.
Because she thought—
If I try harder, maybe they'll love me back.
⸻
Years later, after graduating top of her class, Mariah stood in her father's office.
The air felt tense.
Heavy.
Her parents looked… worried.
Which was rare.
"Our shares dropped again," her father muttered.
"The Wright Group is swallowing the market," her mother said bitterly.
Mariah held her bag tightly. "Is everything okay?"
They exchanged a look.
The kind that made her stomach twist.
Then her father finally spoke.
"We found a solution."
She waited.
"You're getting married."
Her mind went blank.
"…What?"
"To Tony Wright."
The name hit her like a splash of cold water.
Everyone knew Tony Wright.
Playboy.
Arrogant.
Cruel.
Rich beyond imagination.
"I—I don't even know him," she whispered.
"You will," her mother replied calmly.
"I don't love him!"
Her father slammed the table.
"Love? Love doesn't save companies!"
Her voice trembled. "But Dad—"
"This marriage is a partnership. His father agreed to help our business. In return, you marry Tony. That's final."
Final.
Just like that.
Like she was a contract.
A signature.
A product.
⸻
She cried that night.
Quietly.
Into her pillow.
Because even heartbreak had to be silent in that house.
But in the end…
She still wore the wedding dress.
⸻
The wedding was extravagant.
Gold chandeliers.
Diamond rings.
Hundreds of cameras.
People whispered how lucky she was.
"The Wrights are the richest family in the country."
"She married up."
"She must be thrilled."
Mariah smiled for photos until her cheeks hurt.
Tony didn't even look at her once.
⸻
The nightmare started the very first night.
She waited in the main bedroom, her heart pounding.
New bride.
New life.
Maybe… maybe he won't be that bad.
The door opened.
Tony walked in.
With another woman.
Tall. Curvy. Red lips.
Anna.
Tony's arm was wrapped around her waist.
They laughed like Mariah didn't exist.
He glanced at Mariah lazily. "Why are you still here?"
"…This is our room."
He smirked.
"No. It's mine."
He tossed a pillow at her.
"Guest room's down the hall. Don't disturb us."
Then he shut the door in her face.
Anna's laughter echoed through the woods.
Mariah stood there for a long time.
Still.
Like stone.
Until her legs finally moved.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each one heavier than the last.
That was the first night she cried herself to sleep in the guest room.
It wasn't the last.
⸻
Days turned into months.
Tony ignored her.
Insulted her.
Sometimes didn't even acknowledge her existence.
Anna came every night.
Perfume fills the house.
Mocking smiles.
"Oh, the legal wife is still here? How embarrassing."
"Tony only keeps you for business, sweetheart."
"You're just furniture."
Mariah endured everything.
Cooked.
Cleaned.
Tried to be gentle.
Tried to be good.
Tried to earn even a little kindness.
But Tony only grew colder.
⸻
One evening, she finally broke.
"Tony… what did I ever do to you?"
He turned, eyes sharp. "Excuse me?"
"I try so hard. Can't you at least treat me like a person?"
For a second, silence.
Then—
SLAP.
Her head snapped sideways.
Pain exploded across her cheek.
He grabbed her chin harshly.
"Know your place."
His voice was ice.
"You're not my wife. You're the reward your father gave me. A transaction. Don't ever forget that."
Her heart shattered quietly.
Right there.
⸻
The final straw came a week later.
Anna arrived again.
This time, it was more vicious than usual.
"You think Tony will ever love you?" she sneered, shoving Mariah's shoulder.
"You're pathetic."
"I didn't do anything to you," Mariah said softly.
Anna laughed. "Your existence annoys me."
Then suddenly—
She pushed Mariah.
Hard.
Mariah stumbled backward near the stairs—
And fell.
Pain.
Rolling.
Crashing.
Darkness.
When she opened her eyes, Anna was screaming dramatically.
"She pushed me! Tony, she tried to kill me!"
Tony rushed over.
He didn't even look at Mariah.
Didn't ask if she was hurt.
He grabbed her arm and dragged her outside like trash.
"Get out."
"…Tony, please—"
"Don't come back until you learn your lesson."
The door slammed shut.
Rain began to fall.
Cold.
Merciless.
Just like everything else.
Mariah lay on the ground for a moment.
Shaking.
Bleeding.
Alone.
Then she forced herself to crawl toward the road.
A taxi stopped.
The driver gasped. "Miss, are you okay?!"
"…Hospital…"
Everything went black.
⸻
Voices.
Footsteps.
Then darkness again.
Somewhere far away, she heard herself whispering.
"Please… please…"
Don't send me back.
Don't make me go back.
Please.
⸻
"Miss?"
A deep voice.
Gentle.
Warm.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Bright hospital lights.
White ceiling.
And…
A man sitting beside her bed.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Sharp features.
Eyes so dark they looked like midnight.
He looked calm.
Quiet.
But there was something powerful about him.
Something commanding.
"…Who are you?" she croaked.
She instinctively pulled back.
The doctor hurried over. "Don't be scared. He's the one who brought you here. You fainted outside the hospital."
She blinked.
He saved me?
The man nodded once.
"I found you alone," he said softly. "You looked like you needed help."
His voice was steady.
Safe.
For some reason…
Her chest hurt.
Because no one had ever sounded that gentle with her before.
Not even her parents.
Not even her husband.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
He watched her quietly.
As if studying her.
As if something about her mattered.
For the first time in years…
Mariah didn't feel invisible.
And she didn't know why…
But when their eyes met—
Her heart beat strangely fast.
Like something in her life had just shifted.
Like fate had quietly opened a new door.
She didn't know yet…
That the man who saved her…
Was more powerful than the Wright family combined.
And that this meeting—
Would change everything.