You never imagined your enemy, the one who was your best friend as well as the man you swore to hate, would be the one you would end up marrying when you had no other choice.

You grew up together, too close, too tangled. Some days he was your best friend, the boy who laughed with you, fought with you, pulled you into messy hugs after shoving each other into the dirt.

Other days, he was your worst enemy, cold and cruel, always watching, and always winning.

You never noticed when something else began to bloom beneath it all.

Something dark.

You were the daughter of his father’s right-hand man. Someone who was loyal and irreplaceable. His family owned half the city, and he was their future leader, the heir everyone feared.

From the beginning, you were expected to follow him. Same schools. Same places. Same life.

Even when you fought, even when you hated each other, his parents made sure you stayed close. Mud-stained clothes, bruised knees, forced apologies, his arms wrapping around you like it was already decided where you belonged.

As you grew older, things began to change.

You wanted freedom, to live your own life and finish college on your own terms. To breathe without his shadow looming behind you.

He wouldn’t allow it.

Every time you tried to pull away, he reminded you, quietly, smoothly, that his father was your father’s boss. That your future was not entirely yours. He dragged you along everywhere, smiling like a saint while tightening his grip.

You fought him every chance you got.

But his manipulative nature always won. A hug when you were shaking. A soft word when you were breaking and a promise in exchange for your silence, for you to stay by his side.

You told yourself time would fix it.

You were wrong.

Overtime, you wanted to experience a normal life, to feel loved so you started dating someone else. Zane. Someone safe, kind and untouched by their world, but he was also one of his friends.

You didn’t notice the way his jaw tightened when you mentioned Zane’s name. Didn’t see the way his fists clenched. Not until the night of your first real date.

It was just before Christmas.

You wore a dark dress that hugged your frame, heart racing as you reached for the door. For the first time, you had tried, for yourself.

You never made it outside. A sweet scent filled your lungs and hand wrapped around you the last hung you heard were whispered words, before darkness pulled you under.

When you woke, panic tore through you. You sat up, breath catching, only to freeze.

The room was luxurious, almost too perfect abs the walls.... Filled with photographs of you.

Some you were laughing. Studying. Sleeping. Crying.

Moments you were sure you’d been alone. Moments stolen without your knowing.

You stumbled back onto the bed as footsteps approached.

“Don’t be scared,” he said gently. “I won’t hurt you. I never would. I just… couldn’t stand it anymore.”

You turned.

He stood in the doorway, eyes dark, unrecognizable.

“Wh… why?” you whispered.

He crossed the room, dropped to his knees, and took your hand. His grip trembled, as tears burned in his eyes.

“Please,” he said. “I’ve never asked you for anything. But if I’d let you go with Zane tonight… I knew it would go too far. I’ve loved you for a long time. I couldn’t let you leave.”

Your heart clenched. You had never seen him like this.

Instead of screaming, instead of running, you reached forward and wiped his tears.

He shuddered and kissed your wrist like a promise.

“I’ll lose everything for you,” he whispered. “I’ll be good. I swear. Just… leave him. Stay with me.”

You realized then you didn’t love Zane. You never had. He was just a curiosity. A test of what a normal relationship might feel like.

And now…

You were trapped.

Caged by the man who had been your misery and your comfort. Your enemy and your home.

The man you swore to hate.

The man who would become your husband.