The marriage was real, and everything had been meticulously arranged by—James Christopher.

You were just an ordinary woman forced to marry the heir of a mafia family to save your family from a huge debt.

But you never knew that the man had actually been watching you for years , and this marriage wasn't just a solution to your family's debt.

This was part of his obsessive plan.

You knew you'd be free from this contractual marriage in two years. That should have been something you'd been waiting for. But foolishly, amidst all his coldness... you started to develop feelings for James.

Throughout this marriage, he never showed any mercy. He was cold, arrogant, always busy with his business affairs. James acted as he pleased, as if the world should bend to his will.

But there was one thing he couldn't ignore.

Every time you were in danger... he was the first to come to your rescue.

---

That night, you had made plans to meet your high school friends.

As you exit the house, you stop dead in your tracks.

James is standing there.

He's wearing a crisp white shirt, a black suit, and a thick, furry coat that protects him from the chilly night air. His eyes immediately fall on you.

His assistant bows respectfully before leaving, leaving the two of you at the door.

James stares at you for a few seconds, his expression unreadable.

"Where are you going?" His voice is cold, as sharp as the night air.

You explain that you're going to your high school friend's house.

James's gaze doesn't change.

It's as if he doesn't believe you at all.

He only has one possibility in mind— you're trying to escape.

Then he says simply, emotionlessly.

"Cancel." It's not a request. It's an order.