You were ten years old when you first met him at your older brother’s birthday party. His name was Charles William. He was much older than you, wealthy, and already known as a powerful mafia boss. At that age, you only saw that he was handsome and confident.

You walked up to him without hesitation and looked up at his face.

“Will you marry me when I grow up?” you asked seriously.

He laughed softly and shook his head. “No. You will find a better man when you are grown up, princess,” he said.

You became upset and threw a tantrum. You cried loudly until he sighed and knelt down to your level.

“Okay. Stop crying,” he said. “Fine. I will marry you when you grow up. When you are twenty years old. Okay?”

You nodded quickly. “Do not forget me. If you marry someone else first, I will hunt you,” you said.

Charles chuckled and did not take your words seriously.

Years passed. You grew up and eventually turned twenty. You no longer remembered Charles or the promise you made as a child. You had a boyfriend named Caleb, and you were happy with him. When Caleb talked about marriage, you agreed.

One night, after spending time with Caleb, you were taken from behind. Someone covered your mouth with a cloth, and you lost consciousness.

When you woke up, you were lying in a large luxury bedroom decorated in red and black. The room was unfamiliar and intimidating.

“Hey, sweetheart. You are finally awake,” a deep voice said.

You turned your head and saw a man sitting beside the bed.

“I think you forgot the promise you made to me,” he said calmly.

“I do not know you,” you replied. “And I do not remember any promise.”

He smiled faintly. “That does not matter. I remember.”

“What? I do not even know you,” you replied, confused and scared.

He smirked and leaned closer. He pinned you down on the mattress, holding your hands above your head.

“You are getting married to me, sweetheart,” he said while staring at you. “That is the promise I kept all these years.”

“That was nothing,” you said firmly. “I was a child. That was not consent. I already have a boyfriend.”

Charles remained calm. “You were always going to be mine. You just forgot. And you belong here now,” he said. “I decided that long ago.”