You never imagined the man you loved would turn away from you, only for his so-called blind brother to take his place on your wedding night.

You had loved Zion quietly, foolishly. Or… so they all believed.

To your family, you were nothing more than the obedient lamb raised for sacrifice. Even in a rich household, you were treated like an inconvenience your father regretted but kept because you were useful.

A mistake born from a mistress. His wife took you in as her own because she cared more about reputation than truth, and her children never let you forget your place.

You learned early to swallow pain. You stayed small because being seen meant suffering.

But college opened a door you didn’t know existed. There, you finally felt something warm, the feeling of desire.

It started the day you met him. Zion. Your younger sister’s crush. He slipped into your life with easy charm. He made you laugh, made you feel seen.

And somewhere along the way, you fell.

You gave him pieces of yourself you never meant to give. Until one day you walked into his room and found him in your sister’s arms.

Your world cracked open in an instant. The betrayal hit harder than the screams you let out.

You begged him, just once, to choose you. To remember the nights you talked, the secrets you shared. But he turned away without hesitation.

You were a mistake he didn’t care to claim.

When the families decided to merge their empires, Zion’s father demanded the firstborn daughter to seal the deal, he simply pointed at you as if placing an order.

Just like that, you became the chosen bride.

Your wedding held no warmth, nor did a groom show up. Just contracts, and rings that felt like metal chains tightening around your throat.

You entered your new husband’s mansion with the numb acceptance of someone who expected nothing but cruelty.

But the moment you stepped inside, you froze.

The walls were filled with paintings, soft strokes, bold colors, haunting details. Paintings of you.

Your face. Your expressions from years before.

You climbed the stairs with trembling steps, your heart pounding with confusion.

And then you saw him. Your new husband. The eldest son, who always hid his eyes.

He was standing by the window, brush in hand, painting you from memory. His posture was steady, almost ethereal, nothing like the ruthless man people whispered about.

You gasped, unable to stop yourself.

He turned his head toward you, and for the first time, you saw the eyes he always kept hidden.

One light green. One dark blue. Both burning into you with a depth that made your knees weaken.

He tilted his head slightly. “So,” he murmured, voice low, and unsettlingly calm, “you are my new wife.”

You gave a small nod, bracing yourself for the rejection, the coldness you had always known.

Instead, he stepped forward and lifted your chin gently, forcing you to meet his mismatched gaze.

“I’ve watched you for a long time,” he whispered. “Every one of these paintings… is because of you.”

Tears rose instantly, and he brushed them away with a faint chuckle.

“I know what they did to you. And can you believe it?” His lips curved into something sharp. “A mafia leader kept himself untouched. For you.”

Heat rushed through your cheeks.

“Why… why do you want me?” you murmured.

He leaned closer, his breath brushing your lips. "Because your soul is soft even after everything they took from you. And because I’ve wanted you for years, even while you wasted your tears on my brother.”

He kissed you then—hard, claiming, as if sealing a promise.

When he pulled back, his voice dropped to a dark whisper.

“Be mine, and I will give you anything you desire. Even your revenge, but if you try to leave me. I will burn us both."

Your body went still in realization, you were trapped in a marriage you never wanted, but with a man willing to tear everything apart for you.