The rain fell softly over Verona City, washing the streets in silver light. Elena Rossi pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders as she locked the door of the small bookstore where she worked. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to go home, make some tea, and curl up with a book.
She loved rainy evenings. They made the world quieter, slower. Less demanding.
As Elena turned toward the bus stop, a black car appeared beside the road. It moved smoothly, silently, like it belonged to the night itself. The car stopped just a few steps away from her.
Elena hesitated.
The back door opened.
A man stepped out.
He was tall, dressed in a dark coat that looked too expensive for the street he stood on. His hair was neatly combed back, his face calm and unreadable. He didn't look angry or rushed. He looked controlled, like a man who always knew what he was doing.
"Elena Rossi?" he asked.
His voice was deep, steady, and polite.
Her heart skipped. "Yes," she replied, unsure why she answered so easily.
"My name is Adrian Moretti," he said. "I need you to come with me."
She had heard that name before.
Everyone in the city had.
Adrian Moretti was not someone people spoke about openly. His name was whispered, passed quietly between conversations. People said he was powerful. Dangerous. Untouchable.
Elena felt fear rise inside her chest.
"I—I can't," she said softly. "I need to go home."
Adrian studied her face for a moment. His eyes were dark, but not cruel. There was no anger in them, no threat.
"I won't hurt you," he said calmly. "But this is important."
The rain continued to fall around them. Cars passed, people walked by, unaware that Elena's life was standing at a turning point.
"Please," Adrian added. "Just listen."
Something about his tone made her pause. He wasn't demanding. He wasn't forcing her. He was asking.
Slowly, with shaking hands, Elena stepped toward the car.
The inside of the car was warm and quiet. Adrian sat across from her, leaving space between them. The driver said nothing as the car began to move.
Elena clasped her hands in her lap. "Why am I here?" she asked.
Adrian looked out the window for a moment before answering. "Your father," he said. "Marco Rossi."
Her heart tightened. "What about him?"
"He owes a lot of money," Adrian said honestly. "More than he can pay back."
Elena's throat went dry. She knew her father's business was struggling, but she never imagined it was this bad.
"I've paid his debt," Adrian continued.
She stared at him. "Why?"
"Because," he said slowly, "I need you."
The words frightened her more than the rain, more than the night outside.
"I don't understand," she whispered.
"You will," he replied. "Soon."
The car stopped in front of a large gate. Beyond it stood a massive house, surrounded by tall walls and soft lights. It looked beautiful, but distant. Like it didn't belong to the real world.
"This is my home," Adrian said.
Elena stepped out of the car, her legs weak. Guards stood nearby, but they didn't look at her. Everything felt controlled, quiet, powerful.
Inside the house, the air was warm and smelled faintly of coffee. The floors shone, the walls were lined with paintings she didn't recognize.
Adrian led her to a sitting room and gestured for her to sit.
"Elena," he said, standing across from her, "I won't lie to you."
She nodded, bracing herself.
"I need a wife," he said. "Not for love. For protection. For appearance. My enemies watch everything."
Her mind spun. "You want me to marry you?"
"Yes."
The word echoed in her head.
"But I don't even know you," she said.
"That's true," Adrian agreed. "And I don't expect you to love me."
He paused, then added, "I will keep you safe. Your father will be safe. You will have a choice in everything that matters to you."
She laughed softly, almost in disbelief. "This doesn't sound like a choice."
Adrian's gaze softened. "You're right," he said. "It's not a fair one. But it's the only one I can offer."
Tears filled Elena's eyes. She thought of her father, tired and worried, pretending everything was fine. She thought of her simple life, her small room, her books.
"I need time," she said quietly.
"You have tonight," Adrian replied.
That night, Elena stayed in a guest room. The rain continued outside, tapping gently against the windows. She couldn't sleep.
Her future felt heavy and unclear.
Somewhere in the house, Adrian sat alone, staring at a glass of untouched drink. He hadn't planned for Elena's eyes to haunt him. They were honest. Brave. Too kind for his world.
He didn't want to break her.
But his world had no gentle doors.
And by morning, both of them would step through one together.