The envelope lay on the table like a silent threat.
Lina couldn't stop staring at the photographs spread across the surface.
Each one showed her from a distance.
Leaving the mansion.
Walking through the company lobby.
Standing outside a café.
Someone had been watching her closely.
Too closely.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up one of the pictures.
"This was yesterday…" she whispered.
Adrian stood beside her, his tall figure casting a shadow across the table. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw was obvious.
"Yes," he said quietly.
His voice had lost its usual calm tone.
"Someone is following you."
A chill ran down Lina's spine.
"Why me?" she asked.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he picked up the photos one by one, examining them carefully like pieces of evidence.
Then he placed them back down slowly.
"Because you are my weakness now."
The words hit her harder than she expected.
"Your weakness?" she repeated.
Adrian's dark eyes met hers.
"Anyone who wants to hurt me will target you first."
Lina swallowed.
For a moment, fear took over.
But then another feeling appeared… anger.
"So what now?" she said firmly.
"Do I just stay inside this house like a prisoner?"
Adrian studied her carefully.
"No."
He walked around the table and stopped in front of her.
"You will continue living normally."
Lina frowned.
"That sounds like a terrible idea."
Adrian's lips curved slightly.
"That's exactly why it works."
She crossed her arms.
"Explain."
His voice became colder.
"Whoever is behind this wants to scare you."
He tapped one of the photos.
"If you hide, they win."
Lina looked at the pictures again.
Her chest felt tight.
But deep down, she knew Adrian was right.
Running away wouldn't solve anything.
She exhaled slowly.
"Fine."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You're not going to argue?"
"Oh, I will," Lina replied.
"Just later."
For the first time that evening, Adrian almost smiled.
The next day, Adrian insisted Lina accompany him to a corporate meeting.
"You want the world to believe our marriage is real," he said.
"Then you must appear beside me."
Lina sighed.
"Wonderful. More cameras."
Adrian glanced at her.
"You're learning."
The company building was buzzing with activity when they arrived.
Employees whispered as Lina walked beside Adrian.
Some looked curious.
Others looked suspicious.
Lina could feel their eyes on her.
Adrian noticed immediately.
Without saying a word, he placed his hand lightly on her waist.
The gesture looked natural.
Possessive.
Protective.
But Lina felt the warmth of his hand through the fabric of her dress.
Her heart beat faster.
She glanced at him.
"Was that necessary?" she whispered.
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
"For appearances," he replied.
But his tone sounded different.
Lower.
More personal.
Lina quickly looked away.
During the meeting, Lina sat beside Adrian at the long conference table.
Executives discussed financial strategies and upcoming projects.
Most of it went over her head.
But she noticed something interesting.
Adrian was completely in control.
Every word he spoke carried authority.
Every decision he made shaped the room.
People listened.
Obeyed.
Feared him.
She realized something then.
The man she had married by contract wasn't just powerful.
He was dangerous.
And strangely…
She felt safe sitting beside him.
After the meeting ended, Adrian and Lina walked through the hallway.
Suddenly, someone approached them.
Victoria.
Adrian's former fiancée.
She looked elegant, confident… and furious.
Her eyes landed on Lina immediately.
"Well," Victoria said coldly.
"So the rumors are true."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Victoria."
She ignored him and focused on Lina.
"You must be proud," she said.
"Marrying one of the richest men in the city."
Lina kept her voice calm.
"It wasn't about money."
Victoria laughed.
"Of course it was."
Before Lina could respond, Adrian stepped forward.
His body moved slightly in front of Lina.
A clear protective gesture.
"That's enough," he said coldly.
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"You replaced me quickly."
Adrian didn't react.
"My personal life is none of your concern."
Victoria looked at Lina one last time.
"This world will destroy you."
Then she walked away.
Lina watched her disappear down the hallway.
"That woman hates me," she said quietly.
Adrian looked unimpressed.
"She hates losing."
Lina turned toward him.
"And you?"
"What about me?"
"Do you hate losing too?"
Adrian looked at her.
His gaze felt intense.
"I never lose."
That evening, Lina returned to the mansion feeling exhausted.
The stress.
The attention.
The threats.
It was becoming overwhelming.
She walked out onto the balcony outside her bedroom.
The city lights stretched endlessly in the distance.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Until she noticed something strange.
A car parked across the street.
The engine was off.
But someone was inside.
Watching the house.
Her heart started racing.
She rushed back inside.
Adrian was already in the hallway.
"You saw it," he said.
It wasn't a question.
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian walked toward the window and looked outside.
His expression turned dangerously calm.
"They're getting bolder."
Lina crossed her arms.
"Should we call the police?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
That answer surprised her.
"Why not?"
"Because this isn't their game," he replied.
"It's mine."
Before Lina could ask more questions, Adrian grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To send a message."
His tone was cold.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
Lina followed him outside despite his protests.
The night air felt cold against her skin.
Adrian walked directly toward the parked car.
The person inside clearly hadn't expected that.
The door opened quickly and the man stepped out.
He looked nervous.
"You shouldn't be here," Adrian said calmly.
The man raised his hands.
"I'm just doing my job."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Tell whoever sent you this."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"If they come near my wife again…"
The air felt heavy with tension.
"They won't like the consequences."
The man nodded quickly and jumped back into the car.
Seconds later, the vehicle disappeared down the street.
Lina exhaled slowly.
"That was terrifying."
Adrian turned toward her.
"You shouldn't have come outside."
"I didn't want you facing that alone."
He stared at her for a long moment.
Something shifted in his expression.
"Lina…"
"Yes?"
"You're braver than I expected."
She smiled faintly.
"Don't sound so surprised."
Adrian stepped closer.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The tension between them returned.
Stronger than before.
Finally, Adrian said quietly:
"This is only the beginning."
Lina looked up at him.
"Of what?"
His dark eyes held hers.
"Of the war."