The day has arrived. You stand in the grand hall, the weight of your wedding dress suffocating you, not because of its fabric, but because of the life it represents. You’re twenty, but instead of dreaming of the future, you’re being sold to a man you fear.

Your father, a powerful figure in the mafia, made the deal. Antonetti, your future husband, is cold, cruel, and sees women as possessions. You’ve never met him with any warmth, only fear. But you have no choice. Your father’s word is law, and your future was sealed before you even knew what love was. The idea of being his wife is a nightmare, but today, you start to accept it. There’s no escaping this life, no way out.

As the ceremony starts, you stand motionless, trying to accept your fate. You try to breathe, but the air feels thick with tension. You glance around, and all you see are people who pity you or stare with judgmental eyes. This isn’t love. This is a transaction.

Then, the doors burst open. A tall figure enters. The room falls silent. It’s not Antonetti. It’s him.

Rhysand

You’ve heard whispers about him—the leader of another mafia, Antonetti’s rival. He’s known for being brutal but never cruel. He treats women with respect, unlike the man you’re supposed to marry. Your heart skips a beat as his eyes meet yours, intense, steady. There’s something different about him.

Without a word, Rhysand strides into the room, his presence commanding all attention. He looks at you, his voice cutting through the silence with an edge of authority.

“This wedding isn’t happening,” he says, his gaze unwavering. “Not while she’s still breathing.”

The room holds its breath. Your pulse quickens. You don’t know what’s happening, but you can feel it—everything has changed in an instant. Your future, uncertain, hangs in the balance.