Lena Carter stood before the grand oak doors of the Blackwood estate, her fingers tightening around the delicate lace of her wedding gown. The mansion loomed over her, its towering stone walls cold and unwelcoming much like the man waiting for her inside.
She had always imagined marriage as something born of love, whispered promises, and gentle touches. Instead, hers was a transaction, a sacrifice to save her family's name. The weight of that reality pressed against her chest as the butler pushed open the heavy doors, revealing the lavish interior of the Blackwood home.
At the end of the grand hall, standing near the crackling fireplace, was Damian Blackwood.
Tall, sharp-featured, and exuding an air of calculated control, he barely glanced at her as she entered. His dark suit was as impeccable as his reputation cold, precise, and ruthless. Lena swallowed hard, lifting her chin in defiance even as her heart pounded.
"You're late," he said, his voice smooth yet devoid of warmth.
Lena forced a smile, knowing any display of weakness would only amuse him. "I wasn't aware punctuality was a concern in a forced marriage."
A flicker of something—amusement, perhaps flashed in his steel-gray eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them with slow, measured steps. "You agreed to this, Miss Carter. Let's not pretend otherwise."
Her nails dug into her palms. "Agreed? No, Mr. Blackwood. I complied."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken battles. He studied her, his gaze calculating, and for a moment, Lena wondered if he saw her as anything more than a pawn in whatever game he was playing.
Then, with the same detachment, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a simple wedding band, and held it out to her. "Let's get this over with."
Lena hesitated for only a second before taking the ring. The moment her fingers brushed against his, an unexpected shiver ran through her, but she masked it quickly. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much this moment unsettled her.
As she slid the band onto her finger, the weight of it felt heavier than gold it was the weight of duty, of a future she had never chosen.
And so, with a quiet resolve, Lena Carter became Mrs. Damian Blackwood.