Married by Contract

se with the few clothes I owned, my hands trembling every time I zipped it closed. My heart was still pound

r truly been part of. Luxury. Wealth. Power. All things I had only read about or seen on telev

y knew I was coming. The mansion loomed above me, tall and i

tsteps hesitant on the polished marble floor. The scent of rich leather and fresh flowe

ircase. My eyes scanned every detail-the expensive paintings, the chand

I could just disappear under them. There was a walk-in closet filled with clothes I would never be able t

spered, unsure if I should

stead, he leaned against the doo

is voice calm but firm. "No leaving the mansion

e weight of the word

call me Mr. Ad

d, and unapproachable. It mad

drian," I s

ick that made my heart jump. Alone, I sank onto the bed, clu

t felt more like chains. My mind kept replaying his sharp eyes, the way he seemed to see rig

emptiness was overwhelming. The silence of the mansion was deafening, broken only

sudden as he had left. "Dinner," he sai

, though I suspected he ate alone most nights. He ate first, wit

ously, unsure if I shoul

ou will understand why I do things my way. But if you break the ru

d, nodding

he contract, and Mr. Adrian filled my mind. Something told me that this year would be more than just a t

a power over me that went beyond the contract. And somewhere deep inside, I felt the dang

nly dreams of a life where this contract didn't

es of this mansion head-on. To

s contract might be easier than surviving the feel