The days that followed felt like a strange, surreal dream for Liza, where reality and the dark allure of her new life blended into something she could barely grasp. Viktor was a constant presence, always nearby but just out of reach, his motives and emotions veiled behind an unreadable mask.
Liza found herself wandering through the vast, luxurious mansion, a prisoner in gilded surroundings, unsure of where she stood in this new chapter of her life. She knew Viktor had married her for strategic reasons, but beyond that, his intentions were a mystery. What role would she play in his world?
Viktor hadn't yet explained the details of his plan to take down Christoph and Kylie. He was patient, almost unnervingly so, and Liza found herself on edge, waiting for the moment when things would begin to unravel.
One evening, as the sky outside darkened and the estate settled into an eerie quiet, Liza stood at the floor-to-ceiling window in her bedroom, staring out at the sprawling gardens below. The sun had long set, leaving only the dim glow of lanterns to illuminate the maze of hedges and flowers. Her thoughts drifted back to Christoph—what he must be doing, whether he was thinking of her, or if he had already moved on with Kylie. The thought twisted her heart, but she pushed it aside. She was no longer the same woman who had been broken by their betrayal. She had made a deal with Viktor, and there was no room for regret.
The door to her room creaked open, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned to see Viktor standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her. He was dressed in his usual sharp suit, though the top buttons of his shirt were undone, giving him a more casual air. There was something about the way he looked at her—possessive, intense, yet with an edge of curiosity.
"We need to talk," he said, his voice smooth but firm.
Liza nodded, turning fully to face him. "About what?"
Viktor stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He walked toward her with slow, deliberate steps, the air between them thick with tension. When he stopped just a few feet away, Liza's pulse quickened. She could feel the heat of his presence, the raw power he exuded.
"About our arrangement," he said, his gaze never leaving hers. "You've been patient, and now it's time you understand what you've agreed to."
Liza swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "I'm listening."
Viktor motioned for her to sit on the edge of the bed, and she complied, her heart pounding in her chest. He remained standing, looming over her, his expression cold and calculating.
"This isn't just about Christoph and Kylie," Viktor began, his tone businesslike. "They're small players in a much larger game. I have enemies—powerful enemies—and our marriage will put you in the crosshairs. You need to be ready for that."
Liza's breath hitched, but she held his gaze, refusing to show fear. "I'm not afraid of them."
Viktor's lips curved into a small, approving smile. "Good. You'll need that courage."
He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup her chin, tilting her head up to meet his eyes. "But understand this, Liza. Our marriage is a shield. As long as you're with me, no one will touch you. You'll be protected, but you'll also have to play your part."
Her heart skipped a beat at his touch, the intensity of his gaze holding her captive. "What do you mean by *play my part*?"
"You'll attend events with me, be seen by my associates, my enemies. You'll play the role of the dutiful wife, but you'll also be more than that. You'll be my eyes and ears in places I can't go. You'll gain the trust of people I need to control, people who wouldn't suspect you."
Liza's mind raced, the weight of his words sinking in. She was being pulled into the heart of his world, a place where trust was a rare commodity, and betrayal lurked around every corner.
"And what do I get in return?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
Viktor's thumb brushed lightly against her bottom lip, a gesture that sent a jolt of electricity through her. "You get your revenge. Christoph and Kylie will pay, and you'll be the one to deliver the final blow."
Her breath caught in her throat, a mix of anticipation and dread washing over her. The thought of seeing Christoph's downfall, of watching him crumble before her—it was everything she had wanted. But at what cost?
"And after that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "What happens to us?"
Viktor's expression darkened, and for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. He let go of her chin and stepped back, his demeanor shifting to one of cold detachment.
"After that," he said, his voice low, "we'll see where things stand. But don't forget, Liza—you're mine now."
The possessiveness in his tone sent a chill down her spine, but she couldn't deny the thrill that came with it. There was something dangerously seductive about Viktor, something that made her heart race even as she knew she was walking deeper into the fire.
---
The next morning, Viktor kept his word. He had arranged a private dinner with some of his most trusted associates, a chance for Liza to begin her role as his wife in the eyes of the underworld.
The estate's grand dining room was dimly lit, the heavy chandeliers casting a soft glow over the long mahogany table. Liza sat beside Viktor, her posture straight, her nerves tightly coiled as they waited for the guests to arrive.
As the doors swung open, a group of men entered, their faces hard and suspicious, each one sizing her up with sharp, calculating eyes. They greeted Viktor with stiff nods, their loyalty clear, but their wariness of her was even clearer.
"This is Liza," Viktor said, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder. "My wife."
The men exchanged glances, their expressions guarded. Liza forced herself to meet their gazes, refusing to be intimidated, even though her heart pounded in her chest.
"She'll be joining us from now on," Viktor continued, his tone leaving no room for disagreement. "You'll treat her with the same respect you show me."
The room was silent for a moment before one of the men, a tall, burly figure with a scar running down the side of his face, spoke up. "If she's your wife, then she's family. But she'll need to prove her loyalty."
Liza's stomach twisted, but she remained outwardly calm. She knew this was only the beginning of her initiation into Viktor's world. She had chosen this path, and now, she had to walk it.
Viktor's hand tightened slightly on her shoulder, a silent signal of reassurance. "She'll prove herself in time. For now, you answer to her as you would to me."
The men nodded in agreement, though their eyes remained wary. As the dinner progressed, Liza listened carefully, absorbing every word, every subtle exchange between Viktor and his associates. She was an outsider, but she knew she couldn't stay that way for long.
This was her new reality. And if she wanted to survive, she would have to become a part of it.
---
Later that night, as they returned to their room, Viktor's mood shifted. He had been cold, businesslike during the dinner, but now there was a different tension in the air. He watched her as she undressed, his eyes dark with something she couldn't quite read.
"You did well tonight," he said, his voice low and rough. "Better than I expected."
Liza glanced at him, her pulse quickening. "Thank you."
Viktor stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're learning quickly."
Before she could respond, Viktor's hand was on her waist, pulling her closer. His touch was firm, possessive, and as his lips found hers, the fire between them erupted once again, consuming everything in its path.
This was her life now. She was in Viktor's world, bound to him by ties that were far stronger than any legal contract. And as much as she had entered this marriage for revenge, she couldn't deny that something far more dangerous was growing between them.
Something that could either save her—or destroy her completely.