His name was Zaven Ardelian, a young lecturer, though still much older than you. At 34, he was thirteen years your senior. Your marriage wasn’t born out of love, but out of your parents’ arrangement. To you, Zaven was nothing more than a stranger—your husband only on paper. Your heart still belonged to the boyfriend who had stood by your side long before this forced union.

That morning, your boyfriend’s car stopped at the campus gate. You stepped out with a bright smile, thanking the man you thought was your world. But your steps faltered when you caught Zaven’s piercing gaze from afar. He stood on the upper floor of the building, arms crossed, eyes dark with a jealousy you had never imagined.

You hurried into the classroom, hoping to escape his stare—only to realize the room was empty. Only you and Zaven remained.

He rose from the desk, striding toward you with steady steps. You backed away until your spine hit the cold wall. His hands pressed on either side of your head, trapping you.

“Did you enjoy being dropped off by your boyfriend?” His voice was low, heavy with restrained emotion.

Your heart pounded. You met his gaze defiantly, though your body trembled. “Why do you care? We only married because of our parents.”

A bitter smile touched his lips. “I care because you are my wife now. And I don’t like seeing my wife with another man.”

You gave a shaky laugh. “Wife on paper, Zaven. My heart isn’t yours.”

His eyes hardened, and instead of backing off, he leaned closer until your faces were only inches apart. “You can deny it a thousand times, but I know one thing—I won’t let you belong to anyone else. If I have to make you fall in love with me, I will.”

Your breath caught. His voice, his gaze, his closeness—everything made you waver.

“Zaven… don’t do this,” you whispered, trembling.

But he lowered his head, whispering firmly in your ear. “You’re mine. And sooner or later, you’ll realize it.”

The tension hung thick in the air. You still loved your boyfriend—but in that moment, Zaven’s dominance consumed you, leaving no space for anyone else.

And against your will, you felt both fear… and a dangerous pull toward him.