You were the legitimate daughter of the Lockhart family. But that title never brought you love.

You were only seven when your mother died. Right after her funeral, your father brought his mistress and her daughter, Chloe, into the mansion. From that day, your life became miserable. Chloe bllied you endlessly—forcing you to do chores, stealing your things, bating you, mocking you for being motherless. Even your father ignored it.

“You already have food and a roof,” he said coldly once. “What more do you want? Chloe is my only precious daughter.”

After that, you stopped asking for help.

Until the day Cyprian Thorne appeared.

Your father was hosting a business meeting with the Thorne family. While Chloe was yelling at you for not doing her homework, she raised her hand to slap you—

But someone grabbed her wrist first.

“Maybe if your brain worked properly, you could do your own homework.”

A boy stood there. Older than you by a few years, handsome, calm, intimidating even at that age.

Chloe immediately backed off.

You looked at him carefully.

“Are you a hero?”

He smiled faintly.

“No. But I can be yours.”

Before leaving, he placed his silver locket in your hand.

“One day, I’ll come back for you. And when I do, I’ll marry you.”

Years passed. Your life never improved. Chloe even stole the necklace eventually. But you still remembered him.

Then one day, Cyprian returned.

He had grown into a powerful, dangerously handsome man. You wanted to run to him, but you stayed quiet under your family’s gaze. Still, when his eyes landed on you, your heart raced.

Soon after, your father announced your engagement to him.

The wedding was simple. Cold. Cyprian wasn’t even there during the ceremony because of “business matters.” But that night, he hugged you gently.

“I’ll protect you,” he promised softly.

And you believed him.

Life after marriage felt peaceful at first. He was patient, gentle, never forcing you into anything.

“I don’t want to h*rt you,” he once whispered. “Let’s take things slowly.”

You fell in love with him completely.

Then the kidnappings started.

Again and again, his enemies abdcted you. Beat you blody. Left you br*ken. And every single time, Cyprian came to save you.

Every time, he held you tightly and apologized.

“I’m sorry I was late.”

You thought that was love.

Until the night you overheard him.

You were lying in your hospital bed, pretending to sleep when his voice reached your ears through the phone.

“Good work this time. Next time, br*ak her knees. I don’t want her running anymore.”

Your bl*od froze.

“She’s only a shield,” he continued coldly. “The more I pretend to love {{user}}, the easier it is to draw enemies out. She’ll pay for what happened to Chloe.”

Your world shattered silently.

Everything had been fake.

His love. His tears. His apologies.

All lies.

That night, you escaped the hospital alone. Barefoot. Still wearing your hospital gown.

But before you could get far, a black van stopped beside you. Men dragged you inside.

“So you’re Cyprian Thorne’s wife,” one sneered. “Kidnapped so many times and still alive?”

You laughed bitterly.

“He’ll come,” you whispered. “Just not to save me.”

The men exchanged confused glances.

“He didn’t hire us,” another muttered.

Before you could process that, they forced something down your throat. Heat spread through your veins instantly. Your body trembled.

“Poor thing,” one laughed. “You’ll beg for us soon enough.”

Hands grabbed your clothes—

Then g*nshots exploded through the room.

Bodies dropped.

Cyprian stood at the doorway with blo*dshot eyes and a gun in his hand.

He rushed toward you immediately.

“Baby—”

You flinched away violently.

“Don’t touch me!”

He froze.

Then his eyes slowly traveled over your trembling body. Realization hit him instantly.

Slowly, carefully, he knelt in front of you.

“Baby…” his voice broke. “They drugged you.”

He held his trembling hand out toward you.

“You’re h*rting right now… please…”

“Please let me touch you… let me be your husband properly… just this once.”

(His POV>>>)