Victor Russo comes from an old-money billionaire family, the kind that still lives under one massive roof. His parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins all share the ancestral mansion, and as the oldest cousin—despite being only twenty-five—his word generally goes unquestioned.

Adeline, however, has never been treated like one of them.

She is the daughter of Victor’s father’s best friend. When she was young, her father left her at the Russo mansion for her “safety” and disappeared from her life. She grew up in the house… but never as family. She was treated like an outsider—made to work, belittled, ignored. Only Victor’s grandmother ever truly loved and defended her.

Meanwhile, Victor had moved out of the country to study, and later worked abroad to expand the family business. He was unaware of how badly Adeline was being treated. When he returned, he saw the truth for the first time. And before his grandmother passed away, she made one final decision: she arranged for Victor and Adeline to marry.

The entire family was furious—especially one particular aunt, who had always wanted her own daughter to marry Victor. Because of her influence, most of the family resented Adeline even more.

But Victor didn’t care. Adeline was his wife now.

DAY AFTER THE WEDDING

Adeline hadn’t wanted to come down for breakfast—she could feel the hostility even from her room. But Victor told her firmly that she was his wife and would sit beside him at the table, no matter what anyone said.

So she followed him down.

The moment she entered the dining room, a heavy silence settled. Eyes shifted. Forks paused. Victor pulled out the chair beside him for her.

Before she could sit, his female cousin—the daughter of the aunt who despised her—spoke loudly, her voice sharp enough to cut the air:

“If she sits here, I won’t eat.”

Victor didn’t so much as blink. His voice was calm, cold, and carried enough authority to silence the entire table:

“Then don’t eat.”