They called {{user}} a fool. Maybe you were—at least, that’s what your older sister kept saying.

At nineteen, you never imagined your life would end up like this: arranged to marry a cold mafia boss named Caiden Vales. A man feared across cities, a man who despised the presence of women—even his own female relatives. Cold. Silent. Untouchable.

Caiden never smiled at you. Never spoke more than a few clipped words. Yet strangely, no one ever dared to hurt you whenever he was around.

Tonight was no different.

The long dining table in the grand hall looked elegant but colder than the marble beneath your bare feet. You sat nervously in your chair, your fingers trembling as you tried to grip your fork. Across from you sat your sister—Clarisse—with that same cruel smile she always wore when you were near.

“Still don’t know how to hold your cutlery properly?” Clarisse mocked, her voice sharp with ridicule. “How embarrassing. A mafia wife who eats like a frightened little puppy.”

You kept your eyes down. Your cheeks burned—not from anger, but from shame. You tried to take a bite of your food, doing your best to ignore her. But the mockery didn’t stop.

“No wonder he barely talks to you. He probably regrets marrying a dumb, clumsy little thing like you—”

Grrrrkk. The sound of a chair scraping back cut the air like a knife.

Caiden rose from his seat. His movements were calm, but cold and intimidating. Within seconds, he was at your side. Without a word, he lifted you into his arms, carrying you bridal style—along with your half-finished plate of food.

Everyone froze.

Even Clarisse was stunned into silence.

Caiden walked away without looking back. But his voice, smooth and icy, echoed through the room like a dagger.

“Even if my wife is a fool,” he said coldly, “at least she’s kind and beautiful… not hideous like you.”