"I'm not signing anything," Elena snapped, her voice echoing off the sleek glass walls.
Adrian Blackwood didn't flinch. He leaned back in his chair, his tailored suit sharp as a blade, his icy gaze locked on her. "You will."
Grace, the assistant, shifted uneasily at the door. She clutched a folder to her chest, eyes darting between the two of them. "Mr. Blackwood, perhaps Miss Rivera should be given some time—"
"Time?" Adrian's voice was low, measured. "Time is something she doesn't have."
Elena glared at him, heat rising in her cheeks. "Do you always treat people like this? Threatening them into marriage as if they're business deals?"
Grace looked away, lips pressed tightly together.
Adrian stood, walking toward Elena with deliberate steps. "This isn't about what I want, Miss Rivera. It's about what's necessary."
"You're insane." Elena crossed her arms. "I'm not some pawn for your games."
His gaze hardened. "No, you're leverage. Against fate. Against the curse."
Before Elena could answer, the office door swung open with a careless shove.
Marcus Blackwood strolled in, the complete opposite of his brother. Where Adrian was cold steel, Marcus was fire — reckless, arrogant, with a cocky smirk plastered on his face.
"Well, well," Marcus drawled, circling the room. His eyes landed on Elena with open amusement. "Brother, is this your latest… acquisition?"
Elena stiffened. "Excuse me?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Get out, Marcus."
Marcus ignored him, stepping closer to Elena. "You're prettier than the last one. Shame, really."
Elena's fists clenched. "Shame?"
Marcus leaned in, voice dripping with mockery. "That you'll be ruined too. You do know about his curse, don't you?"
Elena blinked. "Curse?"
Adrian's voice sliced through the air. "Enough."
But Marcus only chuckled, leaning lazily against the wall. "Oh, come on, Adrian. Let her know what she's marrying into. Every woman who falls for you ends up destroyed. Betrayed, dead, gone. What's this one's expiration date?"
Elena's stomach lurched. She turned to Adrian, searching his face for denial, but his silence was louder than any confession.
"It's true?" she whispered.
Adrian's jaw tightened.
Marcus laughed, cruel and carefree. "See? He won't even deny it. Run, darling. Run before the curse finds you."
That was all it took. Adrian lunged, grabbing Marcus by the collar and slamming him against the wall. The air crackled with fury.
"Get out," Adrian growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Marcus smirked, even as his brother's grip tightened. "What? Afraid she'll believe me? Afraid she'll run like the others?" He glanced at Elena, eyes glittering. "Listen to me, sweetheart. Save yourself while you still can."
Adrian shoved him hard, releasing him with disgust. "Leave."
Marcus straightened his suit, still grinning. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn her." With a wink at Elena, he sauntered out, whistling.
The door closed, leaving silence.
Elena's pulse hammered. "He wasn't lying, was he?"
Adrian's eyes met hers, unreadable.
Elena's breath caught. "You… you really believe you're cursed?"
"I don't believe," Adrian said quietly. "I know."
Her knees weakened. "You're a monster."
"Better a monster than a murderer," he muttered.
Before she could respond, the lights flickered. Grace startled, clutching her folder tighter.
Adrian's gaze snapped upward. The chandelier above them groaned, the chain straining.
"Elena—"
The chain snapped.
The massive fixture came crashing down.
Elena froze, horror rooting her to the floor.
In a blur, Adrian grabbed her, pulling her into his chest as the chandelier shattered against the marble. Glass exploded around them, sparks flying from broken wires.
Elena gasped, her body pressed against his, trembling. His arms were iron, shielding her. For a terrifying moment, she felt the rapid, powerful beat of his heart.
Grace screamed, rushing forward. "Mr. Blackwood! Are you hurt?"
Adrian didn't answer. His jaw was clenched, his eyes locked on Elena. He released her slowly, his hands lingering a moment too long before he stepped back.
Elena stared at the wreckage, voice shaking. "That… that almost killed me."
Adrian's voice was low, grim. "I told you. The curse doesn't waste time."
She staggered back, shaking her head. "This is ridiculous. Chandelier accidents don't prove curses."
"Believe what you want," he said coldly. "But every woman who's tried to love me has ended up dead. Do you really want to be the next?"
Her stomach twisted. "Then why drag me into this?"
His eyes softened just for a breath, raw pain flickering in the gray depths. "Because you're the only one who might survive me."
Her lips parted, but no words came.
Grace cleared her throat shakily, signaling to the maintenance team now entering. "Sir, this is the second accident this week. It's… it's not safe."
Elena's eyes widened. "Second?"
Adrian didn't flinch. "Sign the contract, Elena. Protect your father. Protect yourself. Or walk away… and watch everything you love crumble."
The
storm outside raged, lightning flashing against the tall glass windows. Elena's chest heaved as she stared at the man before her — the devil in a suit, offering salvation wrapped in chains.
And in that moment, she realized she was already trapped.