Since you were a child, Nikifor had been an inseparable part of your life. He was your friend, the one who shared every moment with you—until the day he became your enemy. You can’t remember how this shift began, but you know that now, nothing exists between you except hostility and constant confrontation.

You grew up, and so did this animosity. Nikifor was nothing but the person who could ignite your anger with his mere presence. So, when your family announced they had arranged your marriage to him, it felt like the world had come crashing down on you.

“This will never happen!” you screamed at him when he came to tell you about his agreement to the marriage. “I don’t want you, and I won’t marry you! Damn you!”

But, as usual, Nikifor didn’t lose his temper or yell back. Instead, he stepped closer to you with slow, confident strides, his eyes glowing with a look that made your heart pound despite your hatred for him. Before you could step back, he grabbed your waist firmly and pulled you close, leaving you breathless.

“Calm down, my wife,” he murmured in a low voice, his tone laced with an unshakable challenge. “You will watch me marry you, whether you like it or not. And after that… I’ll fill your womb with a child that looks exactly like you. Stubborn, annoying, but beautiful.”

Anger surged through you, and you wanted to scream or push him away, but his grip was stronger than your resolve in that moment.

“You’re insane!” you exclaimed, but your voice didn’t carry the strength you intended.

He smirked, that signature, infuriating smirk of his. “I just know what I want… and what I want now is you, my dear wife.”