The morning sunlight spilled into the grand bedroom, casting a warm glow over the plush furnishings.
Eva stirred on the luxurious bed, blinking away the remnants of sleep. For a fleeting moment, the events of the previous night felt like a distant dream.
But reality soon settled in, and with it, a wave of unease.
Reaching for her phone, she unlocked the screen, her heart sinking when she saw no missed calls or messages.
She had been expecting—hoping—for at least a word from her father or sister. Surely, they couldn't just abandon me…
The silence from them felt like a confirmation of her worst fear: she had been discarded, sold like an object.
The weight of betrayal pressed against her chest, and she couldn't hold back the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
Why did it have to be me? she thought bitterly, wiping her face with trembling hands.
Her stomach growled, breaking her train of thought. She instinctively placed a hand over her belly, the life growing inside her a stark reminder of her responsibilities.
Eva sniffled and sat up. "You can't fall apart now," she whispered to herself. "You need to eat—for the baby."
She glanced around the room, taking in its opulence. The sheer scale of the furnishings—gold-trimmed mirrors, velvet drapes, and polished oak—made her feel small and out of place.
She swung her legs off the bed and walked toward a door, hoping it led to a bathroom.
It did. After freshening up and attempting to tidy her hair, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks pale.
At least you don't look completely miserable, she told herself, though she didn't believe it.
Her gaze swept the room again, searching for her belongings. But there was nothing—not even the clothes she had worn yesterday.
A fresh wave of frustration washed over her. Deciding she needed to find food first, she left the room and ventured into the sprawling hallway.
The house was a labyrinth of endless corridors and closed doors. Every turn seemed to lead her back to the same place.
Frustration mounted as she finally found herself standing at the entrance she had walked through the night before. She let out a tired sigh.
And then she heard it—heavy footsteps approaching.
The door swung open, and a figure stepped inside, flanked by several imposing bodyguards.
Eva's breath caught as her eyes landed on him. Lucian. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, exuding an air of authority and wealth.
He paused the moment he saw her, his sharp gaze narrowing. A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but he quickly masked it with cold indifference.
"Why is she here?" he demanded, his tone calm but laced with steel.
His eyes roamed over her disheveled appearance, and his lip curled in disdain. "Can someone explain why there's a stranger wandering around my house?"
The bodyguards exchanged uncertain glances, but no one dared to respond.
Lucian took a step closer, his presence commanding and suffocating. "I'm waiting for an answer," he said, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous.
Eva swallowed hard, her voice caught in her throat. She wanted to explain, but his piercing gaze froze her in place.
When no one spoke, Lucian turned his attention directly to her. "You." He pointed a finger in her direction. "What are you doing here? Haven't I made myself clear that I don't want anything to do with you?"
His tone turned sharper. "Did you follow me? Is this some kind of pathetic attempt to get my attention?"
"I-I didn't follow you," Eva stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucian's bitter laugh echoed in the grand hall. "Right. So you just happened to end up here, in my house, uninvited. How convenient."
The butler's voice interrupted the tense standoff. "Good morning, sir," he greeted with a polite bow.
"Spare me the pleasantries," Lucian snapped. He gestured toward Eva without looking away. "What is she doing here?"
The butler hesitated, glancing between Eva and Lucian. "Sir, your father requested that she stay here," he finally said.
Lucian stiffened. His jaw clenched as he exhaled sharply through his nose. Without another word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Eva watched nervously as he dialed, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. When the call connected, Lucian's voice was low but seething with anger.
"Father," he began, his tone measured but icy. "I agreed to your little arrangement, but this?"
His free hand gestured toward Eva, as if she were an object to be discarded. "This is unacceptable."
Eva flinched at his words, her hands balling into fists at her sides.
"Did you think I would just roll over and tolerate this?" Lucian continued. "You want me to marry, fine. But don't insult me like this. I have limits."
He fell silent, listening to whatever was being said on the other end of the line. His expression darkened further, his grip on the phone tightening.
"Fine," he said finally, his voice taut with suppressed fury. "But let me make one thing clear: if she causes even the slightest inconvenience, I'm done.
With all of this." He ended the call abruptly, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
Turning back to Eva, he took a step closer, his presence looming. "As long as you're here," he began coldly, "stay out of my way."he concluded walking away.
Eva's temper flared. She hadn't asked to be here, hadn't asked for any of this.
Under her breath, she muttered, "Who wanted to be in your way, anyway?"
Lucian stopped in his tracks. "What was that?" he asked sharply, his gaze snapping back to her.
Eva froze. "N-nothing," she stammered.
He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing as if trying to gauge her honesty.
Finally, he shook his head and strode off, two bodyguards following closely behind.
When he was gone, Eva let out a shaky breath. The butler stepped forward, his expression apologetic.
"Miss," he began cautiously, "Sir Vorak instructed us to replace all of your belongings. Everything you'll need has been arranged in the wardrobe of your room."
Eva stared at him in disbelief. "You mean… you destroyed my things?"
The butler inclined his head slightly. "It was the instruction given to us, ma'am."
Her head spun. Before she could process it further, her stomach growled audibly again, drawing the butler's attention.
"Breakfast is served in the dining hall," he said, gesturing down the corridor. "This way, please."
Still reeling, Eva followed him in silence. When they entered the dining hall, she stopped short. The room was massive, with an intricately carved table that stretched far longer than any family would need.
Eva blinked in astonishment. "Who even eats in a place like this?" she whispered under her breath.
The butler gestured for her to sit, and she did, feeling out of place among the grandeur.