The luxury car slowed as it reached a massive building, glowing under golden lights. People in expensive clothes and cold expressions moved like shadows outside.
I pressed myself against the car door, anxiety tightening in my chest.
"Where… are we?" I whispered, but I already knew. This wasn't a simple party.
Knight's voice was calm but firm.
"One of my associate's private parties. Don't embarrass me."
I swallowed hard.
Before I could respond, a servant opened my door.
The moment I stepped out, eyes turned.
Men in sharp suits. Women in elegant dresses. But their smiles felt wrong.
Cold.
Empty.
Like they weren't people… just dangerous players in Knight's world.
I felt like prey.
Then Knight stepped beside me, tall and commanding. His hand suddenly touched the small of my back, making me flinch.
"Stay close," he ordered softly, as if warning me more than protecting me.
I hesitated, but my feet moved on their own.
Inside, the mansion was even grander. Crystal chandeliers. Dark walls. Expensive silence.
Knight walked confidently, like this place belonged to him.
I followed silently, eyes lowered, feeling every stare.
I heard murmurs.
"Who's the girl?"
"Is that Knight's wife?"
*"Poor thing…"
My heart sank.
I didn't belong here.
Not in this world.
Not beside a man like him.
And yet… I was here.
His world.
His rules.
His wife.
At least for now.
I stood near the edge of the grand hall as Knight spoke to a group of serious-looking men across the room.
For a moment, I felt invisible.
Then… someone noticed me.
A tall, strong man—almost as commanding as Knight—stepped toward me. His sharp eyes scanned me like I was something fragile… or something interesting.
"Why so nervous?" he asked, smirking. "Don't tell me you're scared of me."
I instinctively took a step back.
"Don't be afraid. I'm a close friend of your husband, Mr. Knight," he said smoothly, his voice calm but with an edge I couldn't explain.
I looked away, forcing a polite tone. "I'm fine. Thank you."
He chuckled softly.
"I came to ask you for a dance."
"I don't want to dance," I replied firmly, trying to avoid eye contact.
But his smirk deepened.
"No, Mrs. Knight. I wasn't asking."
Before I could react, he grabbed my hand, his grip strong and controlling.
"You have to dance with me."
Panic surged through me as he pulled me toward the dance floor.
I felt everyone's eyes turning, but no one moved.
I struggled slightly, my voice trembling. "Please… let me go."
He didn't listen.
As we reached the center of the floor, he reached toward my waist, preparing to pull me closer.
And then…
Suddenly, I felt another hand.
Strong. Possessive.
Wrapping firmly around my waist.
"She's dancing with me."
That deep, familiar voice froze the man immediately.
Knight.
He stood behind me now, his presence sharp and dangerous, his hand pulling me back into him as if I was something precious he refused to share.
"You can dance with someone else," Knight said coldly, eyes locked onto the man, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The man raised both hands slightly, stepping back.
"As you say, Knight. She's all yours."
He turned away without another word.
Silence followed.
I stood frozen, confused… and terrified.
Then, Knight leaned down slightly, whispering near my ear.
"Don't forget, Alice. You're mine. Only mine."
I couldn't breathe.
Not from fear.
But from something deeper… something I didn't want to name.
I stood silently as his hand held me firmly around my waist, pulling me close into the slow rhythm of the music.
My heart raced, not from the dance, but from the confusion twisting inside me.
I don't understand this man…
Did he pull me away to protect me?
Or because he thought I was his possession? His property?
Do I really belong to him?
The thought made my chest feel heavier.
The distance between us was nonexistent now.
His hand rested tightly on my waist, his other hand holding mine as he moved with a grace I didn't expect from someone so dangerous. His grip was strong. Too strong.
I tried to breathe.
The way he looked down at me…
The way he controlled my every move…
It wasn't protection.
It was a silent reminder that I was his.
"Let me go," I whispered suddenly, unable to take the suffocation any longer. "I don't want to dance with you."
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, without a word, he loosened his grip and stepped back.
His voice came cold, serious, but something in it sounded like a warning… or maybe a truth I wasn't ready to hear.
"Don't go anywhere alone."
I looked up, confused.
"This world… it's not safe for you."
And just like that, he turned and walked away, disappearing back into the shadows of his dark world.
Leaving me standing alone.
Breathless.
Confused.
And more trapped than before.
I can't do this.
Standing alone in the corner of the grand hall, my heart pounding, I watched Knight from a distance. He was busy, surrounded by powerful men, deep in some serious discussion.
This is my chance.
I can't stay trapped in this life… I can't be a part of this ruthless mafia world. I have to run… now.
Swallowing my fear, I took slow, quiet steps toward the main entrance. Every part of me was shaking, but I forced myself to stay calm. I moved past people, lowering my head, pretending to blend in.
My legs felt heavy.
But freedom was in sight.
The large main gate stood ahead, unguarded in the party crowd.
Almost there…
I kept walking, glancing back once.
Knight wasn't looking.
A cold determination filled my heart.
"I'll be free from you, Knight. No matter what."
With that, I stepped out.
And ran.
I ran without looking back, the night air hitting my face as tears stung my eyes. My heart screamed for freedom.
This is over. I won't belong to him anymore
Meanwhile…
Knight turned from his conversation, glancing toward where I had been standing moments ago.
I was gone.
His jaw tightened, his expression turning darker than ever.
"She ran…"
His voice was dangerously calm as he muttered to himself.
Then his eyes glinted with cold fury.
"What does she think… she can escape me?"
His hand curled into a fist, knuckles turning white.
"She'll pay for this."
Without wasting a second, he turned to his men.
"Find her."
The devil himself was now hunting me.
I kept running.
Away from the mansion.
Away from him.
But after a while… my legs weakened. My breaths grew shallow. The streets around me were empty and silent.
Then reality hit me.
Where will I go?
Back to my father?
No.
He was no different from Knight. Just as ruthless. Just as cold. Maybe worse.
Tears stung my eyes.
In this world… no one is mine.
I stopped running, standing alone in the middle of the dark road.
Tears fell silently as I whispered to myself,
"Why… why do I have no one?"
Suddenly—
A car screeched to a stop in front of me.
I jumped back, panicked, wiping my tears quickly.
The car door opened.
I froze, heart racing.
Slowly… someone stepped out.
I looked up, terrified.
And whispered,
"You…?"
My voice trembled.
It was
Someone I didn't expect to see.