Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Chapter 1 1
It was a bitter, overcast day, the kind where the wind felt sharper, and the sky hovered close enough to make breathing feel like a chore. Lily Hart adjusted the delicate lace trim of her wedding gown, hands trembling as she watched her reflection in the grand mirror of the bridal suite. The dress was flawless, a masterpiece of silk and pearls, chosen by her father himself-of course, without her say. It clung in all the right places, radiating an elegance that felt more like a cage than a celebration.
"Are you nervous?" came a voice behind her. Lily looked over to see her best friend, Eliza, who stood with an expression as pale as her own. She was fidgeting with the hem of her dress, looking as if she'd bolt from the room if she could.
"Nervous?" Lily forced a smile, though it tasted bitter. "What's there to be nervous about? I'm just... signing my life away."
Eliza's mouth twitched with sympathy. She walked over and took Lily's hand, squeezing it tight. "I don't know why you're doing this. You don't have to, Lily."
But they both knew that wasn't true. Lily was doing this because her father had forced her hand, because he'd made promises to the infamous Adrian Blackwood, the dark-eyed CEO with a reputation as sharp as his suits. The kind of man who, in another life, she might have avoided, a man who haunted high society with a presence that was felt more than welcomed. He was cold, calculating, and, from the few times she'd encountered him, utterly dismissive of her.
And now she was marrying him.
"Dad would never forgive me if I didn't go through with this." Lily's voice came out softer than she intended, almost a whisper. Her father had made it clear that her worth was tied to her obedience, and to defy him would mean more than just disinheritance; it would mean exile from everything and everyone she'd known.
The sound of the door creaking open caught her attention. A man dressed in sleek black entered, clearing his throat. "Miss Hart, it's time."
Lily's heart sank. She wasn't ready. Every fiber of her being screamed to run, to grab Eliza's hand and flee into the city. But her feet felt rooted to the floor. The weight of duty, of family expectation, pressed her forward.
With a final look at her friend, she nodded. Eliza gave her a supportive smile, but Lily could see the worry in her friend's eyes. She was as scared as Lily was.
The aisle stretched out like an endless road, lined with faces she barely recognized, guests brought in by her father's influence, business allies, and people who would whisper about her lack of power and the fact that she, Lily Hart, was just another pawn in a bigger game.
As she took one step after another, her gaze fell upon Adrian, who waited at the end of the aisle with a gaze that looked as cold as stone. His eyes met hers, unreadable, his jaw clenched. He didn't smile, didn't nod. He merely waited, as though he was as impatient to get this over with as she was.
When she finally reached him, his hand reached out for hers, firm and unyielding. His touch was cold, almost lifeless. She shivered at the contact, but he didn't notice-or perhaps didn't care. As they turned to face the officiant, Adrian leaned slightly toward her, his voice a low whisper meant only for her ears.
"Don't think this changes anything. You're only here because I needed to secure your father's company."
Her breath caught, but she quickly steadied herself. She glanced up at him, her voice barely a murmur. "And you think I want this? I didn't have a choice."
His expression didn't change. "Neither did I."
The words stung more than she expected. Of course he didn't want her-he already had someone else, someone he actually cared about. Celeste. The woman with piercing beauty and a confidence that radiated, a woman who already held his heart. And now, in some twisted irony, Lily was to be his wife, while Celeste remained in the shadows, a mistress with far more power over him than Lily would ever possess.
The officiant's voice droned on, but her mind was elsewhere. Her life as she knew it was over. Whatever dreams she'd once held, whatever hopes-those were all irrelevant now.
"You may kiss the bride," the officiant finally announced, his voice breaking through her daze.
Lily turned to Adrian, her lips slightly parted, waiting, tense. His face betrayed nothing, but he leaned in with the precision of someone performing a transaction rather than sharing a moment. His lips brushed hers-cool, controlled, devoid of affection. The kiss was fleeting, almost a ghost of a touch, and it left her feeling even colder than before.
As they turned to face the crowd, the applause washed over her like a distant wave. She felt Adrian's hand tighten on hers, as though he was reminding her, staking a claim. She was his now, no matter how little he actually wanted her.
The reception that followed was a blur of forced smiles and hollow toasts. People fawned over her dress, her beauty, the "lucky" union she had landed. She laughed when she was expected to, smiled until her cheeks hurt, and exchanged empty words with strangers congratulating her on what was, in reality, a slow descent into captivity.
It wasn't long before she felt a cold, familiar presence beside her. Adrian's hand was suddenly on her arm, his grip firm as he leaned down, his voice laced with irritation.
"Come. It's time to leave," he said, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.
"Already?" she asked, trying to hide her discomfort at the abruptness.
He ignored her question, merely guiding her through the crowd with a controlled, almost possessive grip. She stole a glance at him, catching a hardness in his gaze as they made their way out. It was as if being near her was a burden, an annoyance he couldn't wait to shake off.
They reached his car, a sleek, black sedan waiting with a driver at the ready. Without another word, he opened the door and motioned for her to get in. She hesitated, but one look from him sent her sliding into the seat, her heart beating faster.
Once inside, the silence was stifling. Adrian settled into the seat beside her, his face a mask of indifference as the car pulled away. Lily kept her gaze fixed out the window, watching the city blur past, feeling the weight of his presence beside her, cold and distant.
After a long silence, she finally dared to break it. "Is this how it's going to be? You ignoring me, barely even looking at me?"
He let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Did you expect anything different?"
She bit her lip, swallowing the resentment that rose in her throat. "I don't know what I expected. But I thought... maybe we could at least be civil."
He turned to her then, his gaze like steel. "Civil? I didn't marry you for companionship, Lily. You're here to fulfill a purpose. Once that's done, I have no further use for you."
His words were like a slap. She turned her head away, clenching her fists, feeling her nails dig into her palms. She didn't dare respond, knowing anything she said would only add fuel to his anger.
The car ride felt like an eternity. When they finally arrived at his penthouse-a towering structure of glass and steel that seemed to touch the sky-she felt a strange mix of dread and resignation. She knew this place would be her new prison, the walls that would close in around her every day.
Adrian didn't wait for her, didn't extend a hand. He strode ahead, expecting her to follow, his figure tall and unyielding as he moved through the lobby, indifferent to her struggle to keep up. By the time they reached the elevator, she was almost out of breath, more from the tension than the physical effort.
Inside, the silence stretched again, taut and unyielding. She dared a glance at him, studying the harsh angles of his face, the way his jaw clenched in irritation.
"You don't have to make this any harder than it already is," she said quietly, feeling the words tumble out before she could stop them.
He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing. "And what exactly do you want from me, Lily? You want me to pretend? To play the loving husband?"
"I'm not asking for that," she replied, her voice firmer than she expected. "But I deserve at least a shred of respect."
A bitter smile twisted his lips. "Respect? From me?" He laughed softly, the sound low and mocking. "You should know better than that."
She felt her face flush, anger and humiliation boiling under her skin. "You act like I chose this. Like I wanted any of this."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that sent a chill down her spine. "You didn't choose this, but you're here. And now, you're mine. You may not like it, but you'll learn to accept it."
The doors slid open, and he pulled back, his expression hard once more. He stepped out first, and she followed, feeling as though the walls were already closing in around her.
The penthouse was as cold and sterile as she'd expected, all glass and sharp edges, a place that reflected its owner's personality. Adrian led her through the main room, past walls adorned with abstract art, to a door at the
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
10/11/2024
Chapter 3 3
10/11/2024
Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
10/11/2024
Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 014
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Chapter 15 020
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Chapter 16 16
11/11/2024
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