The sound of heavy rain drowned the city that night.
Through the tinted windows of a black Rolls-Royce, Adrian Knight watched the storm like it was nothing more than another inconvenience in his schedule. The world outside bent to his will — every deal, every life, every breath. He was the man who controlled both the boardroom and the bloodline of the Knight Syndicate.
But tonight wasn't about business.
Tonight, he was going to claim something — someone — he'd decided was his.
Ava Reed.
She didn't know it yet, but before midnight, she would become Mrs. Adrian Knight.
Ava's hands trembled as she clutched her small suitcase in the back corner of the orphanage she'd grown up in. The matron's voice echoed from the hall.
"Mr. Knight is waiting for you, Ava. Don't keep him waiting."
Her heart pounded. "I told you, I don't want to go—"
The door opened, and before she could finish, two men in black suits entered. Their presence was enough to freeze the air. One of them gave a curt nod.
"Miss Reed. The boss is expecting you."
The way they said boss made her blood run cold. She had heard the stories — about the man who ruled the city from the shadows, the man whose empire was built on danger. But she never thought she'd stand in front of him.
Until today.
The car ride was silent, but she could feel his presence even before she saw him. When the door opened, Adrian Knight sat inside — his sharp jaw outlined by the city lights, black shirt unbuttoned at the collar, watch gleaming like it cost more than the entire orphanage. His eyes were cold steel, and when they met hers, she couldn't breathe.
"Sit," he ordered.
She did. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "Why am I here?"
His lips curved — not a smile, but something darker. "Because, Ava Reed, you're going to be my wife."
Her eyes widened. "W-what? That's impossible— I don't even know you!"
Adrian leaned closer. "You don't need to know me. You just need to obey me."
"Why me?" she whispered.
His jaw clenched. "Because your father owed me a debt before he died. And I always collect what's mine."
Tears stung her eyes. She'd lost her parents in a car accident when she was only thirteen — she had no idea her father had been involved with someone like him.
"I have no debt," she said weakly.
"No," Adrian replied, his voice calm but lethal. "But you carry his name. And now, you'll carry mine."
Hours later, Ava stood in front of the priest in the Knight mansion — a mansion that looked more like a fortress. The only light came from chandeliers reflecting off black marble floors.
Adrian stood beside her, tall and unreadable.
The priest's words sounded distant, drowned beneath the thunder outside and the pounding of her heart.
"Do you, Adrian Knight, take Ava Reed to be your lawful wife?"
"I do," Adrian said without hesitation.
When the priest turned to her, Ava's lips trembled. Her instincts screamed to run, to scream, to fight. But the men standing around the hall made her realize there was no escape.
Her voice broke. "I… I do."
The moment the words left her mouth, Adrian slipped a diamond ring onto her finger — not gently, but with quiet possession. His hand lingered, thumb brushing against her pulse, as if feeling the fear in her veins.
"You belong to me now," he murmured, only for her to hear.
Later that night, Ava stood by the massive window of the bedroom she was forced to share with him. The city lights looked so far away, mocking her with freedom she no longer had.
Adrian entered, unbuttoning his cufflinks. "You'll stay here. Guards will be outside. Don't try to run."
"I'm not your prisoner," she whispered.
He turned, eyes locking on hers — icy, unyielding. "Ava, you're my wife. That makes you everything I own."
Her breath hitched. "I'm not a thing."
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes — guilt, regret, maybe humanity. But it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"You will be safe here," he said softly, before walking away.
As the door closed, Ava sank to the floor, clutching the ring on her finger.
Outside, lightning flashed — and somewhere deep in her heart, she swore she would make him regret ever forcing her into this marriage.