Chapter 3 — First Night, First Rules
Lina stared at the mansion's massive doors. She had never seen anything so enormous in her life.
The butler's eyes followed her as if to warn: this is not your world.
Adrian walked beside her, silent, like a shadow. Every step he took made the floorboards echo in the hall.
"Your room is this way," he said, voice low and commanding.
Lina nodded, clutching her bag like a shield. Her hands were trembling, but she forced herself to take a deep breath.
Her room was beautiful — large bed, silk sheets, floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the city. But instead of feeling comforted, she felt trapped.
Adrian's voice cut through her thoughts.
"You need to understand the rules," he said.
She looked up, startled.
"Rules?"
He unfolded the contract again, placing it on the bed.
Rule 1: No disobedience.
Rule 2: No interference in business matters.
Rule 3: No romantic involvement outside this marriage.
Rule 4: No expectations of love.
Rule 5: Respect all household staff and family protocols.
Lina swallowed hard. She had signed, yes, but seeing it laid out like this made it real.
"I… I understand," she said softly.
"Good." His gaze swept over her like a cold wind. "You will follow these rules without question. Failure to comply will have consequences."
She nodded again, but her mind was racing. Consequences? What does he mean by that?
He turned to leave the room but paused.
"One more thing," he said, tone unreadable. "You sleep alone. Never in my room. Never in my bed. Exceptions will be made only when I allow."
Her cheeks burned. "Y-Yes, sir."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
For the first time, Lina realized that this marriage wasn't just a contract — it was a cage.
And Adrian Vale? He was the one holding the key.
She flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mother's face, pale and fragile in the hospital, flashed in her mind.
She had signed for her mother's life. But at what cost to her own?
Hours later, she still couldn't sleep. Every creak of the mansion made her jump. The shadow of Adrian's presence lingered even when he wasn't there.
Outside, the city lights twinkled like a reminder — the world went on, but she was trapped in someone else's life.
And deep down, Lina felt the first spark of something dangerous.
Not love. Fear.
But maybe… something else.
Something she wasn't ready to name.