“No! Mom! Dad! Please,” I cry, staring at my parents, as I struggle with two huge men aggressively dragging me out of my house. “You can’t do this to me! You can’t just sell me off like this!”

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my life would turn out this way.

I have dreams and goals I look forward to, and I’m happy with whatever life has in store for me. But that doesn’t include being hauled away by several men, and forced into marriage with a mafia boss.

The day starts like any other—actually, better than most.

I’ve just wrapped up my third year in college, now in a taxi heading home for summer break.

Today is better than most days not because I’m going home but because I get to see my younger brother, Andrew again. He’s the one I care for the most.

Better than most days ‘cause I don't have to stuff my face in textbooks.

My college life is stressful and hectic– normally it shouldn't be, but because I have to work twice as hard as top students to maintain my full-time scholarship that funded my whole life in college, it sure was.

It’s not like I spend my whole time reading textbooks. I have a part-time job and a crochet small business I run. But the money I make from it, I save it for after I graduate, hoping to use the money to move out, get a good job, and live the life of my dreams—far away from my family.

And…. maybe fall in love with a kind, hardworking decent handsome man.

I practically have my whole life planned out, but these plans fall apart the moment I step out of the taxi that drops me in front of my house.

The taxi zooms off and I grip the retractable handle of my pink suitcase, ready to pull it toward my house, an old three-bedroom bungalow. But as I lift my eyes from the suitcase to my home, they narrow at the sight of two jeeps parked in the driveway. Their luxurious and sleek designs making my dad’s white old rusted pickup truck look even worse.

“Rich people?” I mumble, my stomach knotting uncomfortably.

Why would a rich person be at our house? A house that I have always been embarrassed to invite friends over because of how tattered and uninviting it looks.

Worse, not one car, but two?

Something doesn’t feel right.

A heavy sense of dread washes over me, as my instincts scream, “Run! Don’t go in there! It’s dangerous! It’s trouble!”

Whatever that is going on inside, it’s definitely trouble. And I do not like trouble. I always avoid it.

But knowing Andrew might be in this trouble, I race to my front door, leaving my suitcase behind to tumble to the ground.

My knuckles barely touch the wood of the door when it swings open, revealing my living room filled with men in black suits.

Startled, My eyes bulge, my chest tightens, my heart racing as I try to make sense of the scene in front of me.

‘Huh’

The men, they’re everywhere, standing like sentinels, guarding something—or someone. Eight of them stand fiercely in calculated positions in the living room, blocking exits.

My eyes sweep across the faces of my family of six, to understand the state of the scene before me.

I stare at my two elder brothers whom I despise, behind the couch, Romeo and George. Their faces are blank and sour. I can barely tell what they are thinking. While my younger brother Andrew, stands a bit shorter and skinnier beside them, his red, filled with tears, his expression a mix of fear and disappointment.

‘This is serious.’

Quickly lowering my gaze to the couches in the sitting room, my parents sit humbly across from a man who lounges on our couch casually, as if he owns the place.

He looks older than the other men, around my mom’s age but slightly younger. His gaze suddenly shifts from my parents to me, his dark eyes sizing me up.

My gaze abruptly flicks back to my parents, desperate for an answer. “Mom, Dad, what’s happening?” I barely manage to ask, breaking the tense silence, my voice small and shaky.

They don’t answer. They don’t even look me directly in the eye, yet I could see guilt in theirs.

“Haha!”

A dark chuckle breaks the silence, pulling my attention to the man on the couch. His cold dark eyes roam over me as a creepy sinister smirk spreads across his face.

“So,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough, “this must be her. Hazel Benson, My new virgin wife.”

A cold chill runs through my blood.

“Wife?” I mutter, barely able to believe the words that come out of his and my mouth.

“Wife?”

I must not be hearing correctly, because did I just hear this creepy man, who looks more than twice my age, call me his wife?

This isn’t real; this must be some kind of joke. Yes, a prank! Because I will never believe this; I will not accept it.

My head instantly snaps in my parents’ direction, searching their faces for any sign of protest, some kind of denial, but all I see is guilt and resignation etched deep in their expressions. My mother avoids eye contact, her hands clutched tightly in her lap, while my father stares blankly ahead.

“Mom, Dad, this must be a joke, right?” I ask, hoping they tell me, yes, and this is just some extreme welcome-back party.

“It is not, Hazel,” my dad answers curtly, making my eyes widen more than they already are.

“Wha… what do you mean?” I ask, my lips trembling, my voice breaking. “What do you mean it’s not, Dad? Who is this man, and why is he calling me his virgin—” I yell.

“He is Lennox Zephyr, and you will be getting married to him, Hazel,” my father cuts me off, with a voice void of guilt.

“Lennox Zephyr…” I mumble. “Who the hell is Lennox Zephyr?!!”

“Hahaha!”

A dark, rumbling laugh escapes the man’s throat, drawing my attention back to him, his dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I am, darling,” the man says, drawing my glare to him. “And oh, it’s no joke, darling. Your parents and I have a deal. You’re mine now.”

“Honey, please, come sit down,” my mother pleads, her voice too soft, too careful. “We’ll explain everything.”

“Explain?” Lennox Zephyr repeats incredulously.

“Oh, I see. Another situation where the parents keep their bad decisions a secret.” he mocks then locks his gaze on me “I’ll explain everything for you, Hazel, darling.”

He stands. “Your parents see you as nothing but an exchange for money. You are only worth money to them and nothing else. They don’t love you; they don’t even see you as their child, or a human being.” He says "All they see is a woman with a vagina that can be used to please men.”

“No, no,” I mumble, backing away.

“That’s not true, honey,” my mom argues, standing up as if to approach me, but two of the men in black step forward, stopping her in her tracks.

Lennox takes a frightening step forward closing the distance between us. “They came begging for money with nothing as collateral. Nothing but you.” He continues. “They warned them that their daughter might be sold off to another country to be used as a slave. But your parents did not care; they still signed the document!”

“They had six years,” Lennox says, his voice hardening. “One, two, three, four, five, six! Years!” he yells counting with his fingers. “Yet instead of working their asses off, they relaxed, waiting for the term to end. Not even able to return half of what they borrowed.”

My heart hammers in my chest, my breath quickening. “No. No….”

“All this happened when you were fifteen, behind your back. And now you will suffer the decisions of your parents.” He continues causing more damage to my heart.

I shake my head frantically, the room spinning. “No, no please…”

My life has been pretty horrible so far, and my family does nothing to help; in fact, they are the cause of everything.

I never really feel loved, nor do I feel like giving love to anyone except my younger brother.

My parents? No.

They train me to be the perfect little “housewife,” turning me into a maid in the house, teaching me to be humble and submissive, allowing my older brothers to boss me around like they’re some kings.

They didn’t even want me to further my education, claiming that we’re poor and the little money they have is for my older brothers, who literally have no interest in school, saying things like, “Men have it harder in life. You’ll probably marry a rich man because you’re beautiful.”

Though I hate the idea of marriage because of the way my dad treats my mom.

Now… I understand everything; Why they’ve been obsessing over my virginity since I was fifteen. At first, I thought it was because of our religion, but it’s clear now.

It’s because of the deal!

“You’re worthless to them,” Lennox says, bringing me out of my thoughts. He steps even closer than before, his body barely inches away from mine, his presence suffocating, “but not to me.”

His voice lowers, almost a whisper. “I’ve decided to keep you for myself. To save you from the misery your parents have left you in. I’ll cherish you, protect you… as long as you obey me.”

My legs feel weak, my throat tightening as his words settle in. “What?”

“Mom?” I rush past him, stumbling toward Mom, who stands beside my dad.

“Mom? Dad?” I cry, desperation clawing at my chest. “Please… please tell me he’s lying.”

My mother’s eyes fill with tears, “We’re sorry, Hazel,” mom whispers.

“Mom—”

“We had to do this for our family!” Dad cuts me off, his voice loud and piercing “We needed the money.”

"For what? How much did you take?” I yell back at him.

“For everything! Have you forgotten? I had no work; your brother Andrew was very sick. We were about to be thrown out into the streets with no roof over our heads! No food, no money to keep funding your education. If we didn’t make this hard choice… who knows, we might all be dead.” He shouts in defense.

“I thought I’d be able to pay it back in five years, but we couldn’t. We’ve been begging for time, but they have been merciful for too long, and even now, they are still merciful. You are very lucky, Hazel.”

“Lucky?” I choke out, “You think this is lucky?”

“Yes, you’re getting married to someone rich and powerful,” my dad says, his voice disturbingly calm. “We have nothing to worry about now, knowing you won’t face the fate we feared. We’re very thankful to Mr. Zephyr.”

I blink, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. “Are you hearing yourself? Are you fucking hearing yourself right now?!”

“Dad please stop these games and tell these men to leave our house!”

“Our house?” Lennox Zephyr laughs, a sound that chills me to the bone. “This house belongs to us, Not your father. Practically everything your family has belongs to us. Even your lives. And you hazel, are their sacrifice. Their scapegoat.”

His cruel snicker echoes through the room, “Haha, this is truly fascinating. The best part of all this? Watching a family as close as yours crumble. A daughter with so much hope in her parents now sees them as what they truly are… monsters.”

Leaving me stunned as he walks past me. “Okay, I think I’ve had enough fun,” I hear his trailing voice as he walks out of the house. Instantly, several men in black have their eyes fixed on me. They immediately start to march toward me, and in a matter of seconds, they grab me and start to drag me out of the house.

Just one more year. That’s all I literally need to be out of this house only for this to happen.

“No! Mom! Dad! Please!” I scream, thrashing in their hold, my heels scraping against the floor as they drag me toward the door. “You can’t do this to me! You can’t just sell me off like this!”

Mom collapses onto the floor, sniveling quietly. She doesn’t fight for me, she doesn’t even move.

My gaze darts between my brothers and Dad. They knew…. They all fucking knew!!!

But then there’s Andrew. He’s the only one who looks as shocked and pained as I am. He bolts toward me, only to be held back by more of Lennox’s men.

“Hazel!” he shouts, his voice breaking as he struggles against them. “Hang in there, Hazel! I’ll get you back! I swear, I’ll get the money and bring you home!”

His last words barely reach me before the door to my home slams shut in front of me.

Home?

Will I call this a home? A family?

No.

The intimidating brute-looking man is right.

I’m worth nothing to them.

Just a scapegoat chosen for their sacrifice.

They shove me into one of the luxury vans and My eyes widen, caught off guard by the design I had only seen on TV. Instead of the usual rows of seats all facing forward, two plush seats face each other.

They force me down into one of the chairs, carefully binding my wrists. Across from me, the brute man settles in, his men occupying the other seats.

“Don’t worry, Hazel darling,” he says, His eyes gleaming with a sick satisfaction. “Your life from now on will be filled with so much enjoyment and luxury. You’ll be crowned the queen of an empire. Just make sure to obey me, and everything you desire will be yours.”

"I don't want anything from you but for you to let me go!" I snap.

His smirk deepens. “And if I do, where will you go? Back to that family that sold you? The ones who will hand you over to another organization the moment they’re in debt again? You don’t understand the situation you’re in, Hazel. You have nowhere to go, no one to run to—except me.”

I hiss, biting back the angry retort rising in my throat and turn my gaze sharply away, staring out the window at the blur of the city fading behind us. Every word he says burns because it’s true. I have no one.

“But don‘t be sad. You’ll create a new family with me,” Lennox continues, his tone eerily calm. “A family that will love and cherish you. You’ll be my wife, the mother of my son, and the mother of the children we will have together.”

“Son?! Children?!” I blurt, my eyes snapping back to him, wide with disbelief.

I still consider myself a kid. I can barely look after myself, let alone someone else’s child. It makes me scared. I know it’s going to be a spoiled brat, who will definitely hate me, and I’d hate to admit it, but so will I.

“I don’t want to,” I mutter under my breath.

Lennox leans forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. “You have no choice.”

Before I can react, a cloth slips over my eyes from behind, plunging me into darkness. My heart races, my breath quickening. Wherever they’re taking me, they don’t want me to know.

֍ ֍ ֍

They drive for what feels like an eternity, the hum of the engine blending with the suffocating silence inside the vehicle.

Every second spent with the blindfold pressing against my eyes, surrounded by men, heightens the aching discomfort in my chest. All i hear is my own shallow breathing and the occasional shift and short conversation of the men seated nearby.

The car stops for what feels like the hundredth time, and finally, the engine dies. I hear doors open, footsteps crunching on gravel as the men step out.

A hand—rough, flat, and far too strong—grips mine, yanking me out of the car. My legs wobble as I’m pulled along, blind and disoriented.

We climb a few steps, feeling something huge looming ahead. I hear a door creak open. Its size must be massive, the air shifts around me like I've entered another realm.

Before I can brace myself, the blindfold tugs off.

A sharp sting shoots through my eyes as a million bright lights assault my vision. I wince, instinctively turning my face away, but slowly, my sight adjusts, and I blink against the glare.

When my vision finally adjusts, my breath hitches, and my eyes widen as I take in the luxurious, spacious interior.

This place… it’s unreal.

The ceilings rise impossibly high, adorned with glittering chandeliers that spill light across the vast space, casting a thousand diamond-like reflections. Every surface is sleek, polished—too perfect. The marble floors glow, the furniture looks as though no one’s ever dared touch it, and the sheer size of it all feels overwhelming.

This isn’t just wealth. It’s power. It’s control.

A shiver snakes down my spine, I’ve stepped into another world, one that only exists in dreams. But no, this isn’t a dream, It’s a nightmare.

"Give her a tour first," Lennox’s voice commands, breaking through the chilling silence. My eyes dart toward him just as they lock onto a woman standing a few feet away. Slim, tall middle-aged, with sharp dark eyes and long black wavy hair cascading down her chest, she stands like a statue, her face devoid of warmth. Two maids hover behind her, heads bowed.

"Yes, sir," the woman answers.

Lennox turns to leave but pauses, his eyes grazing mine. "I’m leaving now, but you’ll see me again—when you’re more beautiful and ready to serve me."

I don’t answer him, I stand there, frozen, but internally, I am more than happy he’s leaving— it means, my plan can work out.

His men follow him out, except for the one who’s been holding me all along. I glance toward the woman, feeling her stare pierce through me.

"And what should I call you, miss?" Her voice is smooth but lacks any hint of kindness. She looks like someone who will give me a hard time.

I swallow hard. "Uh... Hazel."

"Miss Hazel," she corrects herself with a nod. "Call me Adora."

Her eyes flicker over me before she turns sharply on her heel. "Follow me. I’ll show you around."

~

“And this is your room,” the woman says, opening yet another door on the first floor. It opens to a bedroom that could easily fit my old home inside. The bed is enormous, the room painted in pink and white, designed elegantly yet still fitting for a female young adult. Exactly how I would design my room.

But this is nothing to be excited about. I am on a look out for only one thing— An escape route.

“You will sleep and stay here when the master does not seek you,” Adora continues and i nod then glance around the room, searching for unbarred windows, a door to the balcony, anything that might help me later. But I see nothing, it's designed like the perfect prison. Though It’s a bit relieving that I don't have to share a bed with Lennox.

Mr. Lennox Zephyr might be playing nice for now, but I know my fate.Things will surely get ugly when he asks me to spread my legs.

As soon as we step out, the door to the room next to mine swings open, though it’s still far down the hall, given how huge the house and roms are. A tall figure emerges—a man. He walks in the opposite direction, glancing briefly in our direction before continuing, but then he pauses mid-stride and turns to face me.

"Why..." My words trail off as my gaze locks onto his.

He's wearing a black shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing a muscular creamy white chest, a simple crystal necklace hanging loosely against his skin. His black pants complete the look, all black, just like the rest of Zephyr's men. Is he another bodyguard?

Noticing that I have been staring at him for what feels like hours, as if we're having a staring contest. I quickly tear my gaze away from him, “I heard I had a child, maybe you could...” I say, turning back to Adora, only to see her walking away.

Confused, I swivel back to the young bodyguard, my face twisting with confusion. Did he send them away?

My eyes slightly widen, watching his long, relaxed strides carry him closer than before. I can't help but have my eyes roaming around his body, his muscles are softly and attractively built, his rolled-up sleeves revealing the veins that stretch along his forearms. The scent of his cologne as it fills the air around me making my heart race

He stops right in front of me, standing tall, towering over me by more than a foot. He stares down at me intensely making my body tremble a bit. His eyes they’re hazel, with flecks of brown that flicker in the light. But they seem empty, lacking emotion, as I stare deeply I see something… loneliness, fear, guilt. Why? Well… I get it. It must be hard dedicating your life to protect douchebags like Lennox Zephyr.

As I gaze at him, I almost forget about everything—the whole terrifying situation. But then reality strikes me like lightning.

Yes whoever this young man is, he is extremely hot, attractive, mysterious but! I’m not here to lust over some damn bodyguard!

I need to focus. I need to escape!

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it,” he warns, his voice breathy and husky, as if still in the process of transitioning into a fully deep male tone.

My thoughts scatter, distracted by him, taking a moment for his words to register in my mind, but once they sink in, I raise my eyebrows. "Wha... what do you mean?" I ask, stuttering.

His gaze hardens. "Every girl he’s brought in thought about one thing: ‘How do I escape? I need to escape.’" His words come out slowly, deliberate. The eerie similarity to Mr. Zephyr's tone sending a chill down my spine.

"I..." My voice falters.

He nods slightly, "Don’t do it. You’ll end up dead."

I finally grasp what he’s saying. It’s as if he read my mind, his warning hitting like a slap. Yet it does not change my mind.

"I’d rather die than be forcibly married to a man twice my age," i mutter.

He scoffs with a bitter smile, disgust and annoyance dancing in his eyes. “That’s what they all said.”

They? Just how many girls has Zephyr married?

"You think death is an easy way out?" He chuckles darkly. What’s meant to be a joyous sound is instead filled with pain. "You won’t just die. You’ll suffer—torture like you’ve never imagined. You’ll beg for death, but it won’t come. They’ll keep you alive, use you until you’re nothing but an empty shell, until your soul is ripped from your body."

Hearing him, it’s as if he’s seen it with his own eyes. Like the scenario has played out countless times.

My racing heart is suddenly filled with fear.

“Do as he says.” he says before walking away, my gaze following his echoing footsteps down the hallway.

My mind swirls as he disappears from my sight. He’s obviously different from the rest of Zephyr’s men in black. The way he speaks, the way he carries himself— it’s clear he doesn’t have the same cold ruthlessness as the others.

It’s like he has a soft and kind heart, one that doesn’t belong in a place like this.

“Who is he?”

“It’s time to begin the second part of your day.” Adora's voice greets me from behind. Almost immediately after the extremely attractive man walks out of my sight.

I turn on my heel to face her, my brows raised, “Second part?”

She nods “Our tour is over. It’s time to check, then clean you up.”

“Check?… Clean?”

Before I can question further, they whisk me away to another room with a doctor in it. I lie nervously on the hospital bed in a loose-fitting hospital gown. Watching as a woman in a white coat approaches me, her hands encased in gloves.

“To make this experience less hateful," she says in a flat tone, "I plead with you to simply follow my instructions.”

I stare at her, speechless.

Her eyes remain emotionless. “Open your legs wide for me.”

My body freezes, and my heart slams against my ribs. “What? Why? What do you want to do?”

“A hymen examination.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest tightens, as my hands grip the sides of the bed. So this is what the check-up is for.

They want to be sure I’m the virgin my parents claim me to be.

"And if I fail the examination?" I ask my voice low.

“Master Zephyr will simply send you off to where you belong,” Adora answers in her usual indifferent tone.

Where I belong? Mr. Zephyr's cruel flashes in my mind— somewhere worse. A sex house.

I want to resist but let the doctor do as she pleases. What the attractive man said to me has left me trembling in fear.

I just let them do whatever they want, just as he warned.

When it’s finally over, the doctor whispers something to Miss Adora, who turns back to me.

“You’ve passed the examination," she says, her face betraying no emotion. "It’s time to clean you up."

This isn’t just any cleaning. They strip me down, and I’m subjected to a full-body wax, leaving me hairless, exposed, and vulnerable. My skin is exfoliated, scrubbed until it’s raw. Then they massage me with oils and lotions, their hands working over my skin with mechanical precision.

I am moved from one room to the other. When it’s all over, I feel like a newborn—my skin soft, smooth, and shining—- but I feel no relief, it only makes me more scared.

I’m put in a long nightgown, naked underneath, the fabric clinging to my newly bare skin.

My heartbeats escalated, pounding loudly against my chest.

They didn’t just do all this for nothing. It’s for him. Preparation for Lennox Zephyr. It’s time for what I fear the most.

But instead, Adora leads me to my room and opens the door.

I blink repeatedly at her and my room in confusion, my breath coming out as shaky. I’m grateful but still suspicious.

Adora doesn’t even let me fully feel relieved when she parts her lips to speak again. “Tomorrow is your wedding so make sure to have a good night’s sleep."

“Wedding?” I whisper, the terror creeping back in.

“Yes. After the wedding, you will have your first night with Master Zephyr. Rest well and be prepared,” she says with a vile smirk on her lips. As she steps out, the heavy door swings shut with a thud. A clicking sound follows—I’m locked in.

Panic surges through me as I pace around my room, tears welling up at the corners of my eyes. I start to scatter around the room, looking for a way to escape. Anywhere! But my room has no balcony, my windows barred. Looking up at the ceiling, I notice the security cameras everywhere, watching my every hopeless move.

Finally giving up, I collapse onto the enormous bed. The mattress swallows me up, but there’s no comfort in its softness. I pull the heavy duvet over my head and burst into tears.

I try to reassure myself.

It’s just sex. There’s nothing to be scared of.

But my own words feel empty because it’s not just sex. It’s being forced to have a vile man touching me, claiming me, taking what I don’t want to give—my virginity. I should be grateful it’s not multiple visitors of a sex house. But I want to experience none.

֍ ֍ ֍

I wake up to the next day with Miss Adora leading me down a set of cold stone stairs, deeper and deeper until it feels like we’ve reached the center of the earth. It’s not just a basement; it feels more like an underground cage—hidden from the world above.

She opens a door to an office and pushes me inside.

Four men stand inside, but it’s the man seated at the other end of the desk that draws my attention. He gestures for me to sit in the chair on the other side. As I do, he hands me a document file.

"Sign the marriage contract," he orders, handing me a pen.

My fingers tremble slightly as I take hold of the pen. Opening the file and reading through the papers, The contract is just as I expected—a trap.

This contract will prove I consent to this marriage which means no one will be able to help me in the future if I need it.

I glance up at the men standing around me. Their eyes are fixed on me like predators waiting for their prey to falter, as if the moment I refuse to sign, they will pounce on me.

I wasn’t this scared until I spoke with him yesterday.

"They’ll keep you alive, use you until you’re nothing but an empty shell until your soul is ripped from your body."

His words have me really terrified. I only expect the worst now, but I just can’t do it.

Turning my head to the man before me, I drop the pen on the table.

“I can’t sign this,” I say in a low but determined tone.

He scoffs, his blue eyes darkening as raises an eyebrow “Do you want to make things harder for yourself?”

“I won’t sign this contract. I don’t want to get married.” I fire.

He smiles. “We expected that.” He says, then extends his hand. One of the men standing by the wall steps forward and hands him a phone.

He unlocks it and shows it to me.

My heart stops beating for a second, and my eyes widen. On the screen is a photo of Andrew—my younger brother—tied up, his face pale with fear.

"Andrew!" I scream, my voice cracking with panic. "What is this? Why do you have him? It’s me you want!"

The man’s grin widens. "Exactly. You’re a smart girl after all. You know we only want you and we’ll do anything to get you."

He leans in slightly, his tone turning sinister. "Including hurting your family. So, if I were you, I’d make this fast and easy."

My hands shake as I pick up the pen again, tears welling in my eyes. I force myself to sign the contract, the ink dragging painfully across the paper. Tears slip down my cheeks, falling onto the pages.

I throw the papers at the man’s face. "There. I’ve signed it. Now let him go! Let my brother go!"

The man calmly collects the papers, straightening them on the desk. "Good," he says, then looks up "Let me pass on a message: your husband, Mr. Zephyr, said if you misbehave, bad things will happen to your family. If you fail in your duties, your family members will die one by one—starting with him." He points at his phone.

"So be on your best behavior from now on and don’t throw papers at anyone again. Something as small as that could lead to the loss of your dearest brother."

5~ My stepson

My mind fills with thoughts as my hair and makeup get done.

My body is here, but my mind isn’t, it’s trapped back in that suffocating room where I signed away my freedom and my future, just to protect Andrew.

Now i will never be able to escape, because if I try, Andrew’s life will be taken.

Kill my dad for all I care, but not Andrew, he’s the one I will do anything to protect.

Mr. Zephyr has won.

When they finish with my hair, makeup and get me dressed. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, not even recognizing myself. I have never seen myself this beautiful.

My tousled light brown hair is styled in elegant French curls, and my makeup is light, enhancing my features. My lashes are darker, longer and thicker, framing my light brown eyes perfectly, nails are perfectly polished. All these are things I never had the luxury to care about.

My entire life, I’ve never had enough time or money to care about myself.

I was always doing chores in my house, studying, crocheting, or searching for ways to make money. I have no idea that I can look this beautiful, like someone else entirely.

The only thing I hate is the goddamn wedding dress that clings tightly to my body. Switch it with a club gown—a place I’ve never even been to—and I’d feel more confident.

Adora walks into the dressing room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “It’s time.” she announces.

~

As I walk down the aisle, my eyes sweep over the small gathering of guests, search for my family, but they’re nowhere to be seen.

I hoped, to see Andrew, to make sure he’s okay. But he isn’t here. None of them are.

I turn my attention to the rest of the guests. There aren’t more than twenty people present, and most of them are men in black suits, standing rigidly in various places as if they’re not there to celebrate but to protect.

Miss Adora is there, along with a few new faces.

In the front row, the very first one I spot a familiar face. It’s the exceptionally mysterious, attractive man from yesterday—the one who warned me about this place, about Lennox Zephyr’s cruelty, the one I can’t stop thinking about, the one whose voice has been ringing in my head over and over.

But today… he looks different, more handsome than yesterday. He’s dressed differently, in a striking red suit with a black shirt underneath, far more stylish and expensive-looking than the other men, who are all in black suits.

I can’t still tell who he is… A slight resemblance to Zephyr flickers in my eye.

Wait…. Is he…. My…. brother inlaw?

Mr. Zephyr’s younger brother?

That explains his confidence and his overly expensive suit.

My eyes shifts to the little girl next to him, about five to seven years old.

Now that I think of it, I haven’t been introduced to any of the children Zephyr claimed to have. He said he had a son but never mentioned a daughter. So if that is really his daughter, where is his son?

I finally reach the altar, and I give my vows. When it’s time for Mr. Zephyr to kiss me, I allow a quick peck before pulling away.

Everyone stands and claps with smiles, celebrating the start of my misery.

I look around the crowd, irritated and disgusted by the smiles, until my eyes land on him.

Him again. He’s the only one not smiling or clapping, Our eyes lock, and he stares back at me. For a brief moment, I think... is he my only ally in this nightmare?

Mr. Zephyr wraps his hands around my waist drawing my attention back to him. His touch makes my skin crawl, but I force myself to stay calm. “Very good, darling. You’re doing well so far—keep it up, and your life will be heaven.” He honeys, taking me down.

I hate how he talks with a smile and a sweet voice when he’s truly a devil inside.

“Please, nothing should happen to Andrew.” I plead in a whisper.

His smile falters as he turns his face to mine “Oh, they had to show you the picture” he cocks a brow, “So you weren’t being good after all?”

“I am. I will be,” I quickly argue, “Just, please—nothing should happen to him.”

His grip tightens around my waist as he leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “Forget about them. They abandoned you. Let’s meet your new family.”

I nod and He pulls me toward the front row, guiding me like a puppet on strings. My eyes catch the little girl innocently taking a bite on a cupcake. “The girl?” I ask.

Mr. Zephyr scoffs. “Nothing but an illegitimate child. A child of an unclean and stained woman— A prostitute who was not a virgin. A woman I had not married,” he spits out his words with disgust and my heart ache for the little girl, no matter what it’s his child! How would she feel hearing her dad talk about her like that?

“You don’t have to worry about her; she has her own mother,” he sneers. “Let me show you my son, the child you will mother.”

Mr. Zephyr leads me, my eyes are out for a little boy or at least a teenager but turning to zephyr his eyes are fixed on him, the man in a red striking suit. Him again? Why him. That same guy that caught my eye, that has been in my mind for too long. The one i have come to conclusion that he is zephyr younger brother,

I think we are going to pass him but we don’t we walk and stop right in front of him.

Oh perhaps Mr. Zephyr wants to introduce his brother to me first.

“This is him—your son,” Zephyr declares.

My eyes widen in disbelief. “My what!?” I choke out. My eyes blinks repeatedly as it shifts back and forth between them.

Mr. Zephyr jabs him on his softly built arm and he flinches a bit. “Go on boy, be polite and introduce yourself.”

He glares at Mr. Zephyr for what feels like a second before he turns to me his brownish hazel eyes locking with my wide ones.

“Hey….” He starts extending his hands for a handshake. I reach for it and our palms meet. “I’m Ryan… Ryan Zephyr,” He says.

What? I can’t help but scoff a bit.

This man, who is way taller, bigger, larger, and most likely older than me, is my stepson??!!

“Haha, he’s a very well-mannered young man, which might be a weakness.” Zephyr says, attempting to jab him again but, Ryan leans to the side dogjing the contact.

His grip around my hands becomes slightly firm. “I hope we can get along well,” he says softly as his eyes travel from my head to toe then back to my eyes in the most sultry way ever.

I tremble a bit and before I can respond, he lets go of my hand and walks away, his tall form retreating into the crowd.

I stand there frozen still stunned, all this time he was the one.

My stepson.