Lina sat in her room, staring at the moonlight filtering through the curtains.
Her mind was racing faster than ever.
Adrian's grip at the press conference, the calm way he handled the reporters… and that dangerous look in his eyes.
She didn't understand him at all.
And yet… part of her couldn't stop thinking about him.
The soft knock on her door made her jump.
"Come in," she said, trying to steady her voice.
The door opened slowly. Adrian stepped inside, closing it behind him.
He wasn't smiling. Not today. Not ever.
"You need to be careful," he said quietly, his voice low and intense.
"People in the company… and outside… will try to use your presence against me."
Lina frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Adrian took a step closer, his dark gaze piercing her.
"Your family… and mine… we have a history. A lot of people still remember the feud. Some want revenge. Others want to see this marriage fail."
Lina felt her stomach twist.
"I… I didn't do anything."
"You didn't," Adrian said, almost softer this time. "But that doesn't matter. They'll use anything they can."
Her heart raced. Fear mixed with something she didn't want to admit… fascination.
Adrian moved closer until they were barely a foot apart.
"Understand this," he whispered. "For the next year, you're mine… legally, socially, and practically. No mistakes. No slip-ups."
"I—I understand," Lina stammered.
He studied her face for a long moment.
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Lina sank into her chair.
Her chest was tight. Her mind was spinning.
One year… one year trapped with a man she hated, feared, and strangely… couldn't ignore.
The next morning, Lina arrived at Adrian's office for the first time as his "official wife."
The staff bowed politely, and she could feel every pair of eyes following her.
It was exhausting.
Adrian sat behind his desk, reviewing documents as if nothing had changed.
"Good morning," he said, not even looking up.
Lina crossed her arms.
"Don't you think it's strange… me being here like this? Acting like a perfect wife?"
Adrian finally looked up, his dark eyes cold.
"It's not strange. It's necessary."
"And do you ever worry about… feelings? About us?" Lina asked, her voice soft, almost curious.
Adrian's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something behind his eyes.
"I don't do feelings," he said. "Not in business. Not in marriage. Not with you."
The words stung… but Lina realized she was already drawn to him. Against her own judgment.
She shook her head, frustrated.
Later that day, a mysterious email appeared in Lina's inbox.
The sender: Unknown
The message was short, but it made her blood run cold:
"You don't belong in his world. Leave now… or regret it forever."
Lina's hands shook as she showed it to Adrian.
He read it calmly.
"Expected," he muttered. "Someone is testing us… testing you. Ignore it. You belong here now."
"But who?" she whispered.
Adrian didn't answer.
Instead, he walked past her, standing at the window, looking at the city like a predator watching his territory.
Lina realized something then: this marriage… this contract… it wasn't just about money or appearances.
It was a battlefield.
And she had just been thrown into the center.
That evening, as Lina tried to rest, she heard a soft knock.
She opened the door to see Adrian standing there again, holding a folder.
"I thought you should see this," he said, handing it to her.
Inside were old documents, photographs, and letters.
Lina's eyes widened as she saw the familiar names… her family intertwined with Adrian's in ways she had never known.
The feud, the betrayal, the scandals… it was all true.
"You're telling me… this has been going on for decades?" she asked, horrified.
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Yes. And now… you're part of it."
Lina felt a mix of fear and anger rise in her chest.
She looked at him, her voice trembling.
"And you… are you part of this too?"
His dark gaze met hers, steady and unreadable.
"I am part of it. And I will protect what's mine. That includes you."
Her heart skipped. Something inside her reacted to that statement.
Something she couldn't explain.
She swallowed hard.
One year… one year trapped with him.
And she already felt… like she couldn't escape him.
The moment Adrian said "I will protect what's mine," Lina realized that this marriage was more dangerous than she imagined.
Someone in the shadows is already trying to sabotage them… and secrets from the past are about to explode.