Kayros's cold rejection feels like a stab in Ophelia's chest. His turned back, only ten steps away, feels ten miles away.
Her chest twists and burns; panic rushes through her blood. Is it too late? she wonders.
She has an entire blueprint of revenge built on this one marriage arrangement. She can't let her pride come here and just leave.
"I don't expect you to accept this proposal after what happened two years ago."
Kayros's shoulders stiffen. Unknown to Ophelia, he's holding himself back from pulling her into his arms and locking her inside this mansion forever.
She has no idea how much he wants this marriage, how pleased he is that finally what belongs to him is walking into his orbit on her own.
"I am here to propose a contract marriage."
Kayros's blood runs cold. A chill makes his spine shiver.
(Contract marriage.)
His jaw clenches visibly, fury flashing across his face as he snaps his fingers. Instantly, twenty guards dressed in black, their faces hidden behind balaclavas, surround Ophelia and her car with guns pointed at her.
Ophelia remains unfazed, to Kayros's surprise.
He turns his head. His intense gaze makes her feel like a criminal waiting for judgment.
"Contract marriage?" he sneers angrily.
Ophelia steps forward, the tips of the guns almost touching her. Her straight posture makes her look like a queen standing in the middle of enemy soldiers, claiming her power with cold elegance and class.
"You want to unify the Underworld and bring it under you, don't you?"
Ophelia's voice doesn't waver despite knowing what's at stake, despite her racing heart and sweaty palms.
Kayros's eyes widen. For the first time, other than disdain, hatred, and fury, something else flashes in his expression, unsettling him.
"You—" He grits his teeth and steps down the stairs, letting snow fall onto his perfectly styled blonde hair, the light catching on it. He stands outside the ring of guards.
"Are you spying on me now?" He growls, his low voice sending a shiver down Ophelia's body. Her stomach turns. Even the guards look uncomfortable under Kayros's cold, looming presence.
"Does that matter?" Ophelia says calmly, keeping her nerves hidden.
A low, deep, mocking laugh leaves Kayros. His cheeks are flushed from the cold breeze, only making him look more dangerous.
Kayros breathes in frustration. "Tell me something, Ophelia."
Ophelia embraces herself, her eyes cold and composed, giving nothing away. It makes Kayros's blood boil even more.
"You broke the engagement. Publicly humiliated me. Offered no apology. And now," his voice drops low and dangerous, "now you want to marry me? Why? Did your boyfriend dump your pretty face?"
(Worse…) Ophelia wants to say. (Far worse than dumping… He betrayed me and killed me after turning me into a bloody monster.
But who would believe her? Nobody.
"Why do you care? You will get the benefits of marrying me, and after three years, we will divorce."
Kayros's eyes darken. He takes one step closer, his shadow falling over her.
"Three years?"
Ophelia tilts her head up. "Yes. I will make you the king of the underworld within three years."
Kayros's eyes flutter, his ice-blue irises dilated. He searches her expression for hesitation. But Ophelia looks like a bearer of prophecy—someone who has looked too deep into the future.
"What do you want in return?"
Ophelia clenches her fist. She knows this is her chance.
One opportunity to rewrite everything, avenge herself, and turn everything upside down—this time, for her sake.
"I want to destroy…" She pauses, then shakes her head, correcting herself. Her green eyes glint with fury and heartbreak. "I want to burn Dimitri and the Jonas family to ashes." Her shoulders tremble with the intensity of her hatred.
Kayros blinks rapidly, his chest tightening. He knows that look in a person…
(Mad revenge.)
"But… Elosia Jonas is your best friend." He narrows his eyes, trying to tear apart her lie. He has seen how emotionally dependent Ophelia is on Elosia.
A bitter laugh leaves her mouth, her eyes glassy but tearless. "A best friend who is stabbing me in the back with the guy who claims to love me."
As soon as that sentence leaves her mouth, Ophelia feels the familiar pain in her chest and stomach—the cruel smiles on Vincent and Elosia's lips, the heartbreak echoing through dimensions.
"They are cheating on you," Kayros whispers darkly, something raw and primitive rising inside him. He wants to burn down everything that ever made her suffer.
His hands shake, but he hides them in his pockets before anyone notices.
"Yes. And I do not plan to just cry and blame my fate. I want revenge."
"As you should."
Ophelia's eyes widen. She wasn't expecting that. She doesn't know exactly what, but something about Kayros feels too dark and dangerous.
Kayros blinks slowly. "I have conditions."
Ophelia's heart skips in relief. He isn't rejecting her. Her body buzzes with thrill. She knows she will accept any conditions Kayros sets without a second thought.
She is desperate and out of options. She needs to finish everything before the real female lead comes into the picture—three years later, on December 25.
She nods.
"I have two conditions."
"I accept whatever you suggest." Her calm reply makes Kayros's blood run cold with precision.
"First, you don't meddle in my business." (Even if it means I make the life of your ex and best friend a living hell.)
Ophelia nods. "Second?"
A small smirk plays on his lips as he dips his head down to her eye level. The guards step back, giving them space. Ophelia feels his warm breath fan across her face.
(His breathe smells like strawberries.... Oh right, he loves strawberries.) Ophelia thinks to herself for a brief unguarded moment that the next condition makes her rethink her life decisions.
"When this marriage ends—that's up to me to decide. Of course, not before three years," his tone drops dangerously. Ophelia's breath trembles slightly from his dominating presence; her toes curl inside her heels.
"Even if you beg me to let you go."
"I won't bring up divorce before three years. And after that," she inhales sharply, steadying her restless heart, "I will sign the divorce papers whenever you ask me to."
Kayros's eyes crinkle in amusement—and something darker she cannot name.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Soon-To-Be Natheniel."