Mia was a very beautiful young woman—respectful, intelligent, and strong in ways life had forced her to be. She shared an unbreakable bond with her father, Mr. Williams. They were more than family; they were each other's confidants, sharing worries, fears, and quiet hopes in the safety of their small home.
Life had never been kind to them. They could barely afford three meals a day, yet Mia was never helpless. During her break time, she worked tirelessly to provide for her father's medication, refusing to let hardship define them. Every day, Mr. Williams blessed her.
"You have been nothing but a blessing to me," he would say. "You take care of me. You feed me."
Mia rarely replied. In her heart, she felt indebted to him for sacrificing everything to see her through school. She believed her life was simple—predictable and drama-free—as long as she stayed focused and consistent.
But Mr. Williams carried a secret that haunted him daily.
Five years ago, he had taken a loan from a very powerful, ruthless, and wicked man. Mercy never walked the same path as Victor Hale.
Tears filled Mia's eyes the moment Victor Hale stepped into their home.
"Today makes it exactly five years," Victor said coldly, his voice slicing through the room, "since you took a loan from me. You promised to pay before it expired. You failed. And I do not give grace."
Mr. Williams trembled.
"You will learn what it means to owe me."
Before Victor could order his men to drag Mr. Williams away, Mia rushed forward, holding her father.
"How dare you touch my father?" she shouted. "Can't you see he's not well?"
Victor's gaze fell on her—and for a brief moment, he was stunned by her beauty. But wickedness quickly replaced admiration.
"Oh," he scoffed. "So you have a daughter—and yet you chose not to repay my loan."
He looked around the house, then smiled darkly.
"I will take something here that is worth my money."
Mia.
Confusion washed over her. Turning to her father, she whispered through tears, "Dad… what loan is he talking about?"
Shame crushed Mr. Williams. He had hidden the truth for years.
Victor answered instead. "Your useless father came to my office five years ago. No collateral. Just promises. Today, I've come for my money—and I'm not leaving without it… or you."
Tears streamed down Mia's face as realization hit her. The loan had paid for her education.
She fell to her knees, begging. "Please… give us time. I'll pay you back."
Victor refused. With a single command, his men grabbed her.
Mia screamed, but who dared challenge Victor Hale?
Nobody.
Victor entered his car without a second glance, unconcerned whether Mr. Williams would survive the trauma. All that mattered to him was Mia.
At Victor Hale's mansion, his men dragged Mia into a guest room and locked the door.
She cried all night, trapped in helplessness she had never known before.
The next morning, Victor entered her room quietly. He sat in a chair, watching her sleep—studying her beauty as if she already belonged to him.
Mia sensed a presence. She jolted awake, grabbing a pillow to defend herself.
Victor smiled.
"Get up and get dressed," he said, pointing at a white dress laid out on the table. "We're getting married today."
"Married?" Mia's voice shook. "I can't marry you. I don't even know you."
"You know my name," Victor replied calmly. "This is my house. You will do exactly as I say."
He leaned closer.
"If you're not downstairs in twenty minutes, I'll have my men dress you themselves."
Defeated, trembling, Mia obeyed. She bathed, dressed in the white gown, and followed him.
At the courthouse, they were legally married.