Liza woke the next morning to the sound of silence. It took her a moment to remember where she was—a penthouse, far from the life she had known just yesterday. Sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the luxurious space, a sharp contrast to the turmoil churning inside her.
Her thoughts swirled, heavy with doubt, but she forced herself to get up. She had made a decision—one that could not be undone. Today, she would become Viktor's wife. A contract marriage, as cold and calculated as the man himself. Liza dressed quickly in the clothes Viktor had left for her: a simple black dress, elegant and understated.
When she walked into the living room, Viktor was already waiting. He stood by the window, his back to her, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. For a moment, she took in the sight of him, his tall, commanding figure silhouetted against the city skyline. There was something magnetic about him, something dark and dangerous, and though she barely knew him, she felt the pull.
He turned as if sensing her presence, his blue eyes locking onto hers. "Are you ready?"
Liza swallowed, her throat dry. "Yes."
Without another word, Viktor led her out of the penthouse. The ride to the courthouse was quiet, tension thick between them. Liza stared out the window, her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. She was about to marry a man she barely knew, for reasons that had nothing to do with love. But she reminded herself of why she was doing this—revenge. Christoph and Kylie deserved to pay for what they had done.
As they arrived at the courthouse, Liza's heart pounded in her chest. Viktor parked the car and led her inside, his hand firm on her lower back. The courthouse was busy with people—couples filing in for their own ceremonies, lawyers rushing between courtrooms—but none of them mattered. For Liza, the world had shrunk to just her and Viktor, and the weight of the decision she was making.
They approached the clerk, who barely glanced at them as she filed the paperwork. "Sign here," she said, sliding the marriage certificate across the desk. Liza stared at the paper for a moment, her hand hovering over the pen. Was she really going to do this? Was she really going to tie herself to Viktor, to this life?
But then she thought of Christoph again—his lies, his betrayal—and her hand steadied. She signed her name in bold strokes, sealing her fate. Viktor signed next, his movements smooth and unhurried, as though this were just another business deal for him.
The clerk stamped the paper and handed it back to them with a curt nod. "Congratulations. You're officially married."
The words felt hollow, empty. There was no joy, no excitement, just the cold reality of what they had done. Liza glanced at Viktor, but his expression remained unreadable. He nodded toward the door, and they walked out into the bright sunlight, husband and wife.
As soon as they stepped outside, Viktor turned to her, his voice low and firm. "This changes everything, Liza. From now on, you're mine."
The weight of his words settled over her, and she nodded. There was no going back now.
---
They didn't return to the penthouse. Instead, Viktor drove them to a secluded estate on the outskirts of the city. It was a sprawling mansion, surrounded by tall iron gates and thick trees, designed to keep intruders out and secrets hidden within. As they passed through the gates, Liza's stomach knotted. She was entering Viktor's world now, a place she knew nothing about.
The car stopped, and Viktor escorted her inside. The interior of the estate was even more opulent than his penthouse. Dark wood, marble floors, and expensive art lined the walls. It was clear that Viktor's wealth and power ran deep, but there was an unmistakable air of danger that clung to everything. This was not a home. It was a fortress.
"You'll stay here from now on," Viktor said, his voice pulling her from her thoughts. "It's safer."
Liza glanced around, feeling a sense of isolation creeping in. "Safer from what?"
"From anyone who might want to use you against me," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "You're my wife now. That means you're a target."
Her heart skipped a beat at the word *target*. The reality of what she had gotten herself into was starting to sink in. Viktor wasn't just a businessman—he was a powerful figure in the criminal underworld. And now, by marrying him, she was part of that world.
"Come with me," Viktor said, leading her down a long hallway. They stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, which Viktor opened to reveal a spacious bedroom. The room was elegant, with a king-sized bed draped in silk sheets and a view that overlooked the estate's gardens.
"This is your room," he said, stepping back to let her enter. "You'll find everything you need here."
Liza stepped inside, her feet sinking into the plush carpet. The room was beautiful, but it felt like a gilded cage. She turned to face Viktor, questions swirling in her mind.
"What now?" she asked quietly.
Viktor stepped closer, his eyes darkening with intensity. "Now, we begin."
He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Viktor's presence was overwhelming, consuming, and she found herself drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.
"We'll take Christoph and Kylie down," he continued, his voice a low murmur. "But it will take time. We'll plan, we'll strike, and when the time is right, they'll fall."
Liza's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. She had never imagined her life would take this turn, but now that she was here, standing beside Viktor, she knew she couldn't turn back. She had made her choice.
"And in the meantime?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Viktor's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. "In the meantime, you're mine, Liza. My wife. And I take care of what's mine."
The intensity in his gaze made her pulse quicken, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. There was no denying the pull between them—the fire that simmered just beneath the surface. But as much as she was drawn to him, Liza couldn't forget the reason they were together.
This wasn't about love. It was about revenge.
And Viktor was the key to making Christoph and Kylie pay.