pmother, Lara, had chosen for me. The fabric was luxurious, but it felt like a shroud. My dream of getting married in a good way, with the man of my dreams, h

her tone as cold as ever. "I do not want you ruining your weddi

eyes were hollow, my heart heavy with dread. The woman staring ba

orated with flowers and shimmering lights, but it all felt like a twisted mockery of what a wedding s

sion unreadable. As I approached, his lips curled into a smirk that sent a chill down my spine. When

, wife," he said, his voice laced

nt row, their faces a mixture of pride and something else-something I couldn't quite place. I looked at my fa

g it all happen from a distance. The priest's voice was a dull drone in my

Chen as your husband?" the priest

ered, the words bare

ept Amelia Petrov as your

n, his eyes boring into mine with an

wasn't ready for it. "You may kis

fade away, leaving only the sensation of his lips on mine. It wasn't a tender kiss; it was a sta

he whispered, his voice d

ind was reeling, trying to process

tulated us. Their words felt hollow, their smiles forced. My father and Lara app

ess meant a lot to me. I couldn't watch what I built for years collapse. I had to ask for help... I could have gone

d crying. Yes, what he did was wrong, but he was my father. He was the on

sband's house," my father whisper

a added, but her tone lacked warmth. I kn

was slipping away, replaced by an uncertain future with a man I barely

of my thoughts. "It's time to leave

eps in sync, but our hearts worlds apart. The car waiting outside was sleek and bl

through the streets. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them comforting. What would my life b

the night sky. It was beautiful, but it felt more like a fortress-

andeliers, the ornate furniture-it was all so different from what I was used to. Ryu led me up t

ng a lavish bedroom. The bed was enormous, covered in silk sheets and

u said, his voice devoid of emotion.

of awe and dread. "Where will you be?" I

smile. "I'll be close, but not

one turning serious. "You may not like this arrangement, but I expect you to

rd, nodding. "

on me for a moment longer before he w

down onto the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of everything that had happened cra

et this situation break me. I might be trapped in this marriage, but I would find a wa

ights twinkling in the distance, but it did nothing to soothe the ache in my

me as more than just a pawn in his game? Would I ever find a way to escape this gild

e day at a time, until I could figure out a way to reclaim my life. And as much as I hated to admit it,

on. Whatever happened next, I would face it head-on. I would survive this ma

nto the enormous bed, pulling the covers over me, and closed my eyes. Sleep was elusive, but eventually, exhaustion took over,