the chilling conversation in Don Allerick's study. His words still lingered, sharp and calculating, like the blade of a dagger aimed at he

his

ins. The weight of her decision pressed on her chest, and the fear of the unknown clawed at her. She

ext M

hue over the lavish furnishings. Leora had barely slept, tossing and turning as the consequen

ccasional creaking of the old building settling. She pulled on a robe and walked over to the window, peeri

been a proud woman, fiercely independent, but now, she was bound to a man who was bo

the door interru

was one of Allerick's men, a quiet man named Thomas who had served

or a few more moments of peace, but it s

fore heading toward the door. The moment she stepped into the hallway, she was met with the eyes of the guards stationed at var

ining

rned with portraits of past family members-cold, unfeeling faces frozen in time. A grand chandelier

ng authority. He didn't look up as she entered, but the weight of his presence was unmista

t across from him. As she sat down, the s

y spoke, his voice low, almost calcul

perhaps even reprimanded for her sudden agreement to the contract, but his question

ling slightly. She steadied herself, meeting his gaze. "Wha

old but oddly amused, "is exactly what I agreed to give you. A contract marriage. But it's not just

ean, we both get what we want?" she asked, her voice sharpening. "I'm here becau

you well. But the truth is, Leora, this is a business transaction. Nothing more, nothing less. You give me something-your father's trust, access to his empire-and

ng the tension b

The moment you entered this contract, you handed me your fate. You're un

ealiz

she had imagined. She had thought that marrying him would free her from the binds of her father's control, but now she

chest like a stone. But she couldn't back down now. She had no choice

Did you think this would be easy? That you could simply walk away and live your

y of her situation fully sinking in. He was r

sked, her voice steady despite

t it wasn't kind. "Now," he

nning of

nsion. Allerick's influence stretched far beyond the walls of the estate, and his men were everywhere. They watched her every move, observed her conversations,

always brief, calculated, and filled with underlying tension. He was always in con

there was no going back. The world she had entered was unfor