Episode 1
The rain fell hard that night.
Thunder rumbled through the sky as if warning her — don't do it.
But Aria Elwood stood still outside the towering gates of Blackwood Mansion, soaked to the skin, her trembling hands clutching the thin folder that held her contract of marriage.
She looked up at the colossal iron gate. It loomed like a cage. Behind it waited the man the city called The Devil CEO — Lucien Blackwood.
And tonight… he would become her husband.
---
Earlier that morning
"Aria… please," her mother sobbed, her frail body shivering under hospital blankets. "If you don't marry him… we'll lose the house. Your brother's operation—"
Aria closed her eyes. Her throat burned.
She had always known life was unfair. Ever since her father passed, the burden had fallen on her shoulders. Working two part-time jobs wasn't enough. And now, debt collectors were circling like vultures.
She had no choice.
She signed the papers without reading them again.
One year. One contract. One devil.
---
Back to the mansion. Present
The heavy gate creaked open slowly, as if hesitating to let her in. She stepped inside, every nerve in her body screaming at her to run.
The mansion was beautiful — in a cold, heartless way. Tall white pillars, black marble floors, golden chandeliers. Everything looked rich. Everything smelled like danger.
A tall man in a black suit waited for her inside.
"You're late," he said. "Mr. Blackwood doesn't appreciate delays."
"I…" Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry. The rain—"
"Follow me."
He didn't offer her a towel. Or a smile.
They walked in silence through long hallways until they reached a grand oak door.
The butler knocked once.
"Enter," came a voice — deep, cold, smooth like steel.
Aria's heart slammed against her ribs.
The door opened, and she stepped inside.
He sat by the fireplace, dressed in a black suit, his face shadowed by dim golden light. Lucien Blackwood. The man who owned half the city. The one rumored to have buried rivals and burned empires.
He didn't look at her immediately.
When he did… his eyes pierced through her soul.
Dark. Empty. Dangerous.
"You're Aria," he said flatly.
"Yes…"
"You agreed to marry me. No questions asked. No emotional ties. You're here because you need money. I'm here because I need a wife. This is not love. It's business."
He stood and walked toward her.
She had never seen a man like him. Tall, broad-shouldered, exuding power with every step. His face was breathtaking — too perfect, too sharp. But there was no warmth in his eyes.
"Do you understand the rules?"
Aria nodded slowly. "Yes."
"No touching me unless I allow it. No entering my study. No asking questions about my life. You will act as my wife in public. You will stay silent in private. Understood?"
"Yes."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a diamond ring. Cold. Beautiful. Heartless — just like him.
He took her hand and slid it on her finger.
"There. Now you belong to me."
She flinched.
His grip tightened.
"Smile, little dove. Our marriage starts now."
---
Later that night, Aria sat on the edge of the bed in a room the size of her entire apartment. Her wedding dress was soaked and sticking to her skin. No one had offered her dry clothes.
Lucien hadn't said another word after placing the ring. He had vanished into his study.
She felt like a prisoner in a palace.
Aria picked up her phone to check on her brother. A new message popped up from her mother:
> "Thank you, Aria. You saved us. I love you."
Tears welled in her eyes.
Was this really saving them… or selling her soul?
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Lucien stood there.
His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. His sleeves were rolled up. He looked devastatingly handsome — and terrifying.
"I assume you'll be sleeping here," he said coldly.
"In this room?"
"Do you see another bed?"
"I… I can sleep on the couch," she offered.
He smirked.
"Afraid I'll touch you?"
Aria's breath caught.
"I told you," he stepped closer, his voice lowering to a whisper, "I don't touch what's mine unless I want to. And I don't want you… yet."
His words stung more than she expected.
He walked past her and opened the balcony doors, letting in the scent of rain.
"But remember one thing, Aria Elwood…" he said without turning around.
"If you ever break the contract — you won't leave alive."
---
💔 To be continued…
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