The car ride to the mansion was suffocating. She sat in the backseat, as far away from him as possible, staring out at the blurred lights of the city. Every mile they traveled felt like another step away from her freedom. Beside her, he remained silent, his eyes fixed on a tablet, scrolling through business emails as if he hadn't just bought a woman's life for a year.
"We are here," he said coldly as the car slowed down.
The gates of the estate swung open like the jaws of a giant beast. As they pulled up the long, winding driveway, the mansion came into view. It was magnificent—a masterpiece of glass and stone—but to her, it looked like a tomb. It was a "Golden Cage," exactly like the ones she had described in her novels.
"Remember," he whispered as the driver opened the door, "from the moment we step out, you are the woman I love. If you stumble, if you look hesitant, the deal is off."
She took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress. "I am an author, remember? I know how to play a part."
As they entered the grand foyer, the staff stood in a perfect line, bowing their heads. The opulence was overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting dancing shadows on the marble floor.
"Welcome home, Sir. Welcome home, Madam," the head housekeeper said with a polite smile.
The word "Madam" hit her like a physical blow. She wasn't a wife; she was a ghost in this house. He placed a possessive hand on her waist, pulling her closer. His touch was firm, a reminder of the contract they had just signed. She forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"I'll show you to your room," he said, his voice louder for the benefit of the staff.
They walked up the grand staircase. Once they were behind the closed doors of the master suite, he immediately let go of her, his expression turning back to ice.
"This is your space," he said, gesturing to a massive bedroom. "My room is connected through that door, but it will remain locked. You have everything you need here. Tomorrow, a stylist will come to prepare you for our first public appearance."
She looked around the room. It was beautiful, filled with the finest silks and perfumes, but it felt empty. She walked over to the balcony and looked out at the dark gardens.
"Why me?" she asked suddenly, her back still turned to him. "Of all the women you could have chosen, why did you pick a 'Shadow Angel' like me?"
He paused at the door, his hand on the handle. For a split second, his cold gaze softened, but it was gone before she could be sure. "Because," he replied quietly, "you were the only one who looked like you had nothing left to lose."
The door clicked shut, leaving her alone in the silence. She pulled out her phone and looked at her WebNovel dashboard. Her views were growing, her story was spreading, but here she was, living a plot more twisted than anything she had ever written.
She sat on the edge of the bed and whispered to the empty room, "The contract has started. Let the game begin."