The rain was falling heavily that night.
Emma stood alone outside the wedding hall, her white dress already soaked.
Her hands were trembling.
"Calm down… it's going to be fine," she whispered to herself.
But deep inside, she knew it wasn't.
Just one hour ago, she had discovered the truth —
Her fiancé, Daniel, wasn't inside the hall preparing for their wedding.
He was inside a hotel room… with her best friend.
Emma's heart felt like it had been crushed into pieces.
She didn't cry.
She didn't scream.
She simply walked out.
Because sometimes, the deepest pain comes silently.
As she stepped into the empty street, a black luxury car suddenly stopped in front of her.
The window rolled down.
A cold, deep voice spoke.
"Get in."
Emma frowned. "Excuse me?"
Inside the car sat a handsome man in a black suit. His sharp eyes looked calm, but distant.
"I need a bride," he said calmly. "Right now."
Emma blinked in shock.
"Are you crazy?!"
The man didn't react.
"My grandfather is dying. His last wish is to see me married tonight."
He paused.
"You need revenge. I need a wife."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Marry me. Just for one year."
Emma's heart started beating fast.
She had lost everything tonight.
Her love.
Her trust.
Her future.
Maybe… this crazy stranger was the only escape left.
After a long silence, she whispered —
"…Okay."
And that one word…
changed her entire life forever.
Emma sat inside the black car, her hands tightly gripping her dress.
Her heart was still racing.
She couldn't believe what she had just agreed to.
Marrying a complete stranger.
The man beside her remained calm, his sharp gaze fixed outside the window.
"Why me?" Emma finally asked.
He turned toward her.
"Because you have nothing left to lose."
His answer hurt… because it was true.
He continued in a low voice.
"My name is Ryan Blackwood."
Emma's eyes widened.
Everyone knew that name.
He was the youngest billionaire in the city.
Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable.
"And from tonight," he said calmly,
"you will be my wife."
Emma swallowed nervously.
"This marriage is only a contract," Ryan added.
"One year. No love. No emotions. No interference in each other's personal life."
He handed her a document.
"If you agree, sign it."
Emma stared at the paper.
Her hands trembled.
One hour ago, she had been a happy bride.
Now… she was about to marry a stranger.
Slowly, she picked up the pen.
And signed her name.
Ryan watched silently.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Welcome to hell, Mrs. Blackwood."
Emma felt a chill run down her spine.
She had no idea…
that this marriage would soon become the biggest storm of her life.