al toll of the night before. She hadn't slept much, the weight of Dorian's words replaying over and over in her mind. Hi

ore like a gilded cage than a sanctuary. She had long since lost track of time in this vast,

us aura about him that made her stomach churn. He was cold, manipulative, and unyielding. But there was something e

out waiting for an invitation, the door creaked op

stairs," the maid said, her voice respectful

much-just a few pastries, eggs, and fresh fruit-but it was enough to sustain her for the time being. Still, her

nd at his will. And yet, as she stood up and made her way downstairs, part of her still held on to the fainte

r glances full of quiet judgment. They all knew who she was now, the new wife of the powerful Dorian Alden. But none of them seemed to pity her. No

y the soft morning light, casting him in an almost otherworldly glow. But the beauty of the moment was lost on her. She knew the man standing

e door, unsure of w

, smooth as silk, but with an underlyi

the room, her head held high. She would not

voice was steadier than she felt, but th

contemplating something far beyond her reach. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced w

"that this marriage isn't just about you and me. It's about the legacy we're going to build

se quickened at the

h an intensity that made her stomach tighten. He too

cure my power. The child we're going to have will be the key to everything-my success, my future

her that there was no way out, no chance of escape. She was bound to him, tied to hi

lization of just how deeply tangled sh

, any ounce of control she could regain. "What if I

, until there was barely any space between them. His

is voice low, almost a growl. "You don't have that l

cold knot in her chest. But she couldn't let him see her falter. She cou

sboard, Dorian," she whispere

ling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "And y

trapped-she was owned, bound by invisible chains that ran far deeper than she could understand. And in the depths o