You never imagined that the man you spent your life avoiding would be the very one who would shield you from the world. The one who would turn against his own blood just to stand in front of you.

You were born into a wealthy family, yet happiness was never part of the inheritance. You were the child no one wanted, the presence everyone tolerated.

Love was something you learned about from a distance, watching other people receive what you never did. So you learned to survive alone. You saved every coin you could.

Cooked your own meals. Paid your way through college while working tirelessly, holding yourself together even when life was cruel and exhausting.

You never complained, never asked for help, though deep down, you carried a quiet, foolish hope that one day, someone might care enough to notice you.

After college, reality was unforgiving. You took a job as a maid on the estate of one of the most powerful mafia families in the city, a place ruled by fear, loyalty, and blood.

And there was one man you avoided at all costs. Him. The head of the family. Danger incarnate.

Whenever he summoned you, you vanished, sending someone else in your place. Whenever his gaze landed on you, you instinctively stepped back, heart racing, while he only smirked, dark eyes amused, as if watching prey try to escape a hunt it had already lost.

Then came the day you couldn’t run. His family arranged a meeting, a date meant to secure alliances. The woman who arrived was dressed to impress, dripping arrogance and entitlement.

She laughed too loudly, touched his arm too often, desperate for his attention. But his eyes never left you. They followed you through the mansion, slow and possessive, while his family remained silent, because everyone knew better than to challenge him.

When the meeting ended and he dismissed her without a second glance, she found you instead. She shoved you to the floor, fury twisting her features. “A maid should know her place,” she sneered. “Don’t try to steal your master’s attention. No one takes what’s mine.”

You met her glare, something sharp and buried finally clawing its way out. “Don’t claim what will never belong to you.”

Her eyes widened in rage and her hand lifted— “Touch her.” The command cut through the air like a blade. “If there is so much as a scratch on her face… on her body,” he said coldly, stepping forward, “I will remind you that I am not the kind of man who cares that you are a woman.”

She paled. “B-but this maid doesn’t know her place—”

“The only begging dog here is you,” he interrupted flatly. “And I wouldn’t look in your direction, much less marry you.”

He crouched down, hands firm yet gentle as he lifted you into his arms.

His smirk was dangerous when his gaze dropped to you. “Can’t run from me now, little dove,” he murmured. “The woman who will be my wife… is you. My little maid. My future.”

Your face drained of color. His family stared in stunned silence, while the woman stood frozen, humiliation written across her face.

“If anyone has a problem with your future mistress,” he said calmly, eyes daring them to speak, “I suggest you count your lifetimes before opening your mouth.”

You wanted to scream. To escape. To deny everything. But the way he held you, like you were fragile, precious, chosen, made your body betray you, leaning instinctively into his chest.

For the first time in your life… Someone wanted you. Someone was willing to burn the world just to give you a place to belong.

And that terrified you more than loving him ever could.