Mistakenly became Mr. Alexander's wife

er to arrive. She could feel the walls of her apartment closing in on her. Every breath felt heavy, burdened with the weight of the decision she

f to stand, smoothing down her blouse as she crossed the room to answer it. When she opened the door, s

h a curt nod. "I'm Mr. Col

t him in. Her voice felt distant, as if she were w

able, snapping it open with the precision of a man who had done this countless tim

join him. "It's fairly straightforward. Once you sign, the marriage will be official,

. The words blurred together as she tried to focus, her hands

ow before I sign?" she asked, h

ide the necessary resources to have your father released from prison. There is also a clause that states you will remain married for a minimum of one year, during which time you are exp

o stay married to Alexander for at least a year. She wasn't surprised, but he

d, needing to hear it, even tho

situation remains as it is. Mr. Mason will not intervene,

een him through the glass partition in the prison. He had always been her rock, the one who ha

as supposed to go. Her hand hovered there for what felt like an eternity, but in the en

reath, Emma s

laced them back in his briefcase. "Congratulations, Miss Foster. You are now Mrs

o ceremony, no vows-just a cold, transactional signature. It wasn't

n will be in touch regarding your living arrangements. I su

aring at the spot where the papers had been. The weight of what she had j

er back to the moment. It w

ings. I'll send a car fo

he was moving in with him tomorrow. Her entire life was about

e was supposed to marry for love, not for survival. But love had betrayed her. Derek had betrayed her. Now, she

mind elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about what Alexander's real motives were. What did he really want f

e as the reality of her situation settled in. By the time the sleek black car arriv

d. Emma hesitated for a brief moment, staring at the vehicle that would take her to h

as they drove into more secluded, upscale neighborhoods. The roads became quieter, the houses lar

d gardens and towering trees. It was the kind of place Emma had only ever se

ver opened the door for her once again. Emma stepped out, her sui

ld, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. He was dressed i

ason," he said, his v

e sound of those words. Mrs. Mason. This

chest. She was stepping into a world she didn't understand, a w

idea what the

he watched Emma approach. He didn't say another word, didn't offer her any reassur

d, she felt the enormity of it-the unspoken promise of what was to come. The house was as cold and imposing as

of place in this luxurious world. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her nerves as her sui

ing. "You'll find your room upstairs," he said, his voice low and cont

e. As she climbed the steps, she could feel Alexander's eyes on her, watching her every move. It was as if he w

artwork and tall windows that let in streams of sunlight. A maid appea

voice soft but professional. "I'm

Mary down the corridor, her mind racing. This was all happening too fast, t

thing out of a five-star hotel. The bed was massive, covered in crisp white linens, and the windows overlooked the expansive gardens below

n ever. "I'll leave you to get settled," Mary said, b

ur hours ago, she had been in her small apartment, worried about her father and her future. Now, she was

de were beautiful, perfectly manicured, but they felt like another part of the prison she had willingly walke

had made this choice, but that didn't make it any easier to live with. She had to find a w

pulled it out, her heart sinking when she saw her mother's name on the screen. She

aid, trying to kee

to reach you all morning," her mother's

a few days," Emma lied, hating how easily

I know things have been hard since...well, since your father's a

e had done, the sacrifices she had made to save their family. "I know, Mom

't shut me out. We've always been a team, Emma

t tight with the weight of her dec

d. She had never felt so alone, so trapped. But there was no going back now. Sh

ut elegant dress from the closet, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. When she looked in the mirro

he house, with a long, polished table set for two. Candles flickered in the center, casting a soft glow over the space.

a chair for her. "You look lovely," he

e was playing a role in some elaborate game, one where the rules

en them was heavy, punctuated only by the soft clink of silverware against plates. Emma didn't know what t

silence. "I understand this

ight through her. "Overwhelming is an understatement," she said, her voice tinged wit

by her bluntness. "You made the cho

e shot back, frustration bubbling to

led. "Perhaps. But now that you're here, you should learn to emb

ough her. "What is this to you, Alexander? A business deal

or the first time, Emma saw a flicker of something beh

his voice low and dangerous. "

forward. "Why me? You could have ma

might not answer. But then he leaned closer, his gaze lock

voice like silk. "You're mine now.

r truly was. He wasn't just a man who wanted control-he was a man who would stop at nothing to keep

aced with the implications of Alexander's words. This was only the beginning. She had no

stimated. And Emma had just stepped into his world-a world where th

eadable once again. "I'll see you in the morning," he said, h

a alone in the flickering candlelight, her hear

truly gotten