She was an actress whose life had almost ended—not because of an accident, but because of a secret that should never have surfaced. The world was ready to destroy her. Then Elliot Vane appeared. The CEO didn’t save her for free. He bought her life. Their marriage was announced a month later. The media called it sudden love. In truth, it was a carefully staged burial. From that day on, every contract she signed came from Elliot’s hands. Every scandal that disappeared did so because Elliot ordered it gone. She was safe—as long as she obeyed. Yet Elliot never treated her like a prisoner. He treated her like something precious. Too precious to be allowed freedom. “I married you so you could stay alive,” he said one night, his voice calm, almost gentle. “If it weren’t for me, the world would’ve finished you.” And he was right. Between fear and hatred, something darker began to grow: desire. She hated him for trapping her. She wanted him because he was the only one who knew her at her worst—and still chose her. They didn’t love each other in a healthy way. They held on like two people who understood one thing clearly: if one of them ever let go, they would both fall into the same abyss.