You grew up in a village that felt stuck in another time. Three decades behind the world. People still drew water from wells instead of taps. Letters mattered more than smartphones. Radios replaced televisions. And superstition ruled over logic.

But you were different.You craved knowledge. Books, science, stories—anything that could show you a world beyond that village. With your little pocket money, you collected old books like treasures.

But dreams didn’t survive in your world. After your father died, your mother remarried. And your stepfather? He was a greedy man. He made you work from dawn till night. Burned your books when you tried to read. Beat you when you protested. Still—you didn’t stop dreaming.

One day, a jeep entered the village. A group of men—wildlife photographers, they said. Curious villagers gathered around them.

You had just returned from the well when your eyes landed on something unfamiliar inside the jeep—cameras, lenses, devices you had never seen before. Without thinking, you reached out.

“Hey! Don’t touch that!”

You flinched, pulling your hand back instantly.

“Max, relax. She’s just curious.”

A man stepped forward. Tall. Calm. Handsome in a way that didn’t belong to your village.

“Here,” he said gently, placing the camera in your hands. “Let me show you.”

His name was Ivar Axton.

And for the first time in your life—The world felt bigger.

They stayed near the forest in tents. Every day, you stole one hour for yourself. One hour away from your life. With him. He taught you how to use a camera. Told you stories of cities filled with lights, people, freedom. For one hour, you weren’t trapped. For one hour, you lived.

Then reality came crashing down. One night, your stepfather announced your marriage. On your eighteenth birthday.To the village chairman. A man in his sixties. A man whose previous wives… never stayed.

You begged. Cried. “Please… I’ll work. I’ll earn money. Just don’t marry me to him…”

The slap came hard enough to silence you. “You’ll do as you’re told.”

You were locked in your room. And no one came to save you. Not even your mother.

The wedding day arrived. You were dressed in red.But there was no life left in your eyes. The chairman waited, smiling like he had already won.

And then—Gunshots.Chaos.Men in uniform stormed the ceremony.You looked up.And your breath caught.

Ivar Axton.

But not the man you knew.No soft smile. No camera.A rifle in his hand. Eyes cold enough to freeze the air.

“Game’s over, Chairman,” he said. “You’re under arrest.”

The truth spilled out—Trafficking. Disappearances. Crimes hidden behind fake marriages.The chairman was dragged away.It was over.You were free.…Right? Ivar turned to leave.

“Stop.”

Your stepfather stepped forward. “You ruined my daughter’s wedding. No one will marry her now. You’ll take responsibility.”

Ivar frowned, clearly irritated.

“I just saved her life.”

Another villager spoke, voice firm. “According to our rules, a bride abandoned on her wedding day cannot stay in the village. She must marry… or be exiled.”

Silence fell. You felt your heartbeat echo in your ears.

“I’m already married,” Ivar said coldly.

“No problem,” someone replied. “Men can have more than one wife.”

And just like that—Your fate was decided. You married him.Not out of love.Not out of choice.But because you had nowhere else to go.

The journey to the city felt unreal.You sat beside him—your husband.He didn’t speak. Didn’t look at you.Cold. Distant. Untouchable.

When you arrived, the world you had dreamed of stood right in front of you. A grand villa. Lights. Glass. Everything you had only read about.Your eyes widened in quiet awe.But his voice pulled you back. Cold. Sharp. Final.

“Don’t misunderstand anything.” You turned to him. His gaze didn’t soften.

“I married you because I was forced to.” A pause.

“I already have a wife. She’s inside.And I love her.” Then his eyes locked with yours.

“So don’t expect anything from me..because no matter what happens from here on…you will always be the mistake I was forced to make.”