The wedding was nothing like Aria had imagined.
No soft music.
No smiling guests.
No warmth.
Just silence… and power.
Aria stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. The white gown clung perfectly to her body, elegant and expensive—far more than anything she had ever worn.
She didn't feel like a bride.
She felt like a prisoner dressed for display.
"Miss Bennett, it's time."
The voice of one of the staff pulled her out of her thoughts.
Aria inhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the edge of the dressing table.
One year.
Just one year.
She could survive this.
She had to.
The ceremony hall was massive, filled with people who looked like they belonged to a completely different world—wealthy, powerful, untouchable.
Eyes turned the moment she stepped in.
Judging. Curious. Whispering.
Aria kept her head high, even though her heart was pounding.
At the altar stood Lucien.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he looked exactly like what people said he was—
Dangerous.
Untouchable.
And completely out of her league.
Yet here she was… walking toward him.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
When she finally reached him, his eyes met hers.
Cold. Calm. Unreadable.
No emotion.
Not even on his wedding day.
"Don't look so tense," he murmured quietly, just loud enough for her to hear. "People might think I forced you."
Aria let out a soft, dry laugh.
"Didn't you?"
For a split second, something flickered in his gaze… but it disappeared just as quickly.
The officiant began speaking, but Aria barely heard a word.
Her mind was racing.
How did her life come to this?
Standing here… about to marry a man she didn't know… a man she didn't trust.
"Arias Bennett, do you—"
"Yes."
She didn't even let him finish.
A few murmurs spread across the room.
Lucien's lips twitched slightly, almost amused.
Impatient, are we?
When it was his turn, he didn't hesitate.
"I do."
Simple. Cold. Final.
The rings were exchanged.
His fingers brushed hers briefly as he slid the ring onto her hand.
Her breath caught.
His touch was warm…
Too warm for someone so cold.
"You may kiss the bride."
The words echoed through the hall.
Aria stiffened.
Oh.
Right.
She hadn't thought about that part.
Lucien stepped closer, his hand gently but firmly resting on her waist.
"Relax," he whispered. "It's just for show."
Just for show.
Then why did her heart suddenly start racing?
Before she could think any further, he tilted her chin up slightly…
…and kissed her.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't sweet.
It was controlled. Dominant. Claiming.
Aria's eyes widened slightly, her fingers gripping his suit instinctively.
For a brief moment…
Everything around her disappeared.
Then just as quickly as it started, he pulled away.
The crowd applauded.
But Aria barely heard them.
Her mind was stuck on one thing—
That kiss.
Why did it feel so real?
The ride to his mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aria sat by the window, staring outside, her thoughts tangled.
Lucien sat beside her, calm as ever, as if nothing had changed.
As if they hadn't just gotten married.
"Why me?" she asked suddenly.
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Lucien didn't look at her.
"I already answered that."
"No," she said, turning to him. "You didn't. Not really."
Silence.
Then finally, he spoke.
"You were the most suitable choice."
Her brows furrowed.
"Suitable?" she repeated. "That's it?"
Now he turned to her.
"And alive," he added.
A chill ran down her spine.
"What does that mean?"
But Lucien simply looked away again.
Conversation over.
The car slowed as massive gates opened.
Aria's eyes widened slightly as the mansion came into view.
It wasn't just big.
It was overwhelming.
Cold. Beautiful. Untouchable.
Just like him.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Knight."
The words felt foreign.
Heavy.
Unreal.
Aria stepped out of the car, her heels clicking softly against the ground as she looked up at the building.
This was her life now.
Inside, everything was perfectly arranged, almost too perfect.
Not a single thing out of place.
"Your room is on the right wing," Lucien said as they walked in. "Mine is on the left."
Aria blinked.
"Separate rooms?"
He glanced at her.
"Did you expect something else?"
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"No."
"Good."
Cold again.
Of course.
Later that night…
Aria couldn't sleep.
The room was too big. Too quiet.
Too unfamiliar.
She sat up in bed, sighing softly before deciding to get some air.
Carefully, she stepped out into the hallway.
The mansion was silent.
Almost eerie.
As she walked, something caught her attention—
A room at the end of the corridor.
The door was slightly open.
A faint light glowing from inside.
Curiosity pulled her closer.
She hesitated for a moment…
Then gently pushed the door open.
Inside was an office.
Dark. Elegant.
And on the desk…
A photograph.
Aria stepped closer, her heart slowing as she picked it up.
Her breath caught.
"No way…"
It was an old picture.
Of her family.
Her hands began to shake.
Why would Lucien have this?
Her heart started pounding violently as a terrible thought crossed her mind.
Before she could process it—
"Curiosity can be dangerous."
His voice.
Right behind her.
Aria froze.
Slowly… she turned.
Lucien stood there, his expression darker than she had ever seen it.
Her grip tightened around the photo.
"Why do you have this?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
His eyes dropped to the picture… then back to her.
Silence.
Heavy. Tense. Suffocating.
Then he spoke.
"Put it down, Aria."
Her heart raced.
"No," she said, stepping back slightly. "Not until you tell me the truth."
Something shifted in his expression.
Something dangerous.
And in that moment…
Aria realized something terrifying.
She had just crossed a line.