Chapter 2:The room fell into a heavy silence after his words.
A deal.
That single word echoed in my mind again and again.
I slowly turned to face him, my heart pounding against my chest.
"What do you mean… a deal?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked to the table, poured himself a glass of water, and took a slow sip—completely ignoring the storm inside me.
His calmness… was terrifying.
Finally, he spoke.
"This marriage was never meant to be real," he said coldly.
My fingers tightened.
"Then why marry me?" I demanded.
He looked at me—his eyes sharp, unreadable.
"Because you were the perfect choice."
Perfect?
For what?
I took a step closer. "I deserve to know the truth."
For a moment, he stayed silent… as if deciding how much he should reveal.
Then he placed the glass down and walked toward me.
Each step he took made my heartbeat faster.
"You come from a respectable family," he said.
"No scandals. No enemies. No complications."
I frowned. "So?"
"So," he continued, his voice low, "you are the ideal wife… on paper."
On paper?
Anger rose inside me.
"I am not some document you can sign and use!" I snapped.
For the first time, a faint reaction crossed his face—amusement.
"You already signed," he said calmly.
My breath hitched.
He was right.
I had signed the marriage papers.
But I never imagined it would be like this.
"This is wrong…" I whispered.
"Wrong?" he repeated softly.
Then suddenly, his expression turned serious.
"You have no idea how dangerous my world is."
His words sent a chill down my spine.
Dangerous?
"What are you hiding?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped even closer—so close that I could feel his breath.
"There are things you don't need to know," he said.
"I am your wife!" I protested.
"And that is exactly why," he replied sharply.
His tone left no room for argument.
Silence filled the room again.
I looked away, trying to control my emotions.
This wasn't the life I wanted.
This wasn't the marriage I dreamed of.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" I asked after a moment.
"Simple," he said.
"Stay in this house. Act like my wife in public. And don't interfere in my business."
I clenched my fists.
"And in return?" I asked.
He paused.
Then he said something that made my heart stop.
"I will protect you."
Protect me?
From what?
Before I could ask, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, his expression turning darker.
"I have work," he said shortly.
And just like that, he walked out of the room… leaving me alone.
I sank onto the bed, my mind spinning.
A fake marriage.
A dangerous man.
And a secret I wasn't allowed to know.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away.
No.
I won't cry.
Not for this.
If this is a deal… then I will play my part.
But I won't stay in the dark forever.
I will find out the truth.
No matter what it takes.