Everything changed all of a sudden. A sudden marriage? And a forced one at that? And with a widower named Alexander — a man with a thick Italian accent. Just a week ago, you had graduated from university. You wanted to enjoy life, have a boyfriend, travel the world, maybe get a job. But that never happened.

The opposite did. You had fallen right into Alexander’s trap. There was no engagement. He married you straightaway.

You didn’t love him. And he didn’t love you either — he had just lost his wife. This was only a contract marriage, for two years.

His house was like a palace. For a man living alone? Why? Why would anyone live in such a huge estate with no one around? Except for an old maid and a few guards.

He was mysterious and didn’t talk much. Always calm. He kept his distance from you. From the very first day, he told you, "Don’t worry. This is just a contract on paper. I will never touch you."

Gradually, you began to trust him. Every time you saw him, your heart would flutter — though you didn’t know why. You weren’t allowed into his study without permission, and until he invited you in, you never dared to enter.

You had thought he would be aggressive and cold, but he was the opposite. He was so kind that it made you fall in love with him.

Two years later.

Two years flew by like a storm. Two years felt too short for you. The contract was finally supposed to end — but you didn’t want that. You didn’t want to leave him. On the very day you were meant to go, you decided to enter his study. You cleared your throat, hand resting on the doorknob. But just as you were about to turn it, you heard Alexander’s voice from inside. It froze you in place.

He was on the phone. His tone was gentle and affectionate. "Alright, my love. I’ll get the pastries you wanted. Don’t worry — I’ll be with you tonight. Just need to finish a few things first."

Your heart started racing — not from fear, but from pain. From betrayal. Alexander, completely unaware of your love, had just broken you.

You held back your tears. Your hand tightened on the doorknob. Without thinking, you pushed it down and walked in. You froze. Eyes wide in shock.

Alexander ran a hand through his hair and looked at you. He sighed and got up from his leather chair. Tall. Strong. Composed. In a deep and low voice, he said: "What’s going on?"