Chapter 5

Lucia

I got into the luxury car with trembling hands. I did not bring much with me, only a small bag containing a change of clothes, my phone, and my thin wallet. My mom's necklace still circled my neck. I refused to take it off. It was the only thing that still gave me a sense of safety.

Before the car door closed, I looked back. My uncle stood on the porch. His face was stiff, then he nodded slowly at me. It was not a nod asking for my consent, but an order I could not refuse. My aunt stood beside him with a cold expression. As for Elena, she did not hide her dislike. Her gaze was sharp, full of contempt, as if she wanted to say that I did not deserve to sit in a car this expensive and as if she wanted to make sure I remembered my place.

I turned my face away. The car door closed softly, and the car began to move. I sat stiffly on the plush seat with its unfamiliar scent. In front, the driver did not talk much. I hugged my small bag, my heart beating far too fast. I had no idea where I was being taken.

When the car finally slowed and stopped, I lifted my head. A black iron gate opened slowly, tall and majestic. The car drove into a vast courtyard illuminated by garden lights. The house... no, it was not a house. It was more like a palace. A massive building with tall pillars, wide windows, and warm light glowing from within.

The driver got out first and opened the door for me.

"Please," he said politely.

I stepped out hesitantly. My legs felt weak as they touched the cold marble floor. I followed a servant inside. The ceiling was high, a large chandelier glittered above. The scent of expensive wood and something distinctly masculine filled my senses. Then I stood in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do.

Then I heard it, the sound of footsteps. I turned toward the grand staircase at the far end of the room. Someone was descending the steps, and my heart stopped for a moment.

He wore a dark shirt with one button open at the collar, his sleeves neatly rolled up. His body was tall, his shoulders broad. Every step was calm, as if this place bowed to him. His face was firmer than I had seen before. His dark eyes were sharp, cold, and full of control. His jaw was set, his expression hard to read.

Alexandro De Luca. He stopped on the last step, and our gazes met. He looked at me for a long moment, as if he had indeed been waiting for me. I lowered my head reflexively, my fingers tightening around my mother's necklace again.

His footsteps approached. I stood before him, my body stiff, my breathing not yet fully steady. He said nothing.

Alexandro De Luca's gaze fixed on me, cold and calm, as if I were not a human being, but an object he was assessing for its worth.

"I want to ask something," I said.

He did not respond. He did not even nod.

My hands clenched at my sides. "Why did you choose me?"

He was still silent. I lifted my face, forcing myself to look at him. "Why not Elena? She's beautiful, attractive, and..."

His eyes moved over my face, then my body, without guilt. I felt naked under his gaze, as if every flaw I had was being noted one by one. Yet he still did not answer. Instead, Alexandro turned slightly to the side, toward the man who had been standing a few steps behind him the whole time, his personal assistant.

"Arrange the wedding dress fitting tomorrow."

I was stunned.

"As soon as possible," he added briefly.

The assistant nodded. "Yes, sir."

Then Alexandro turned and walked back toward the stairs, as if the conversation had never happened. As if my question did not deserve an answer.

"Wa-wait!" I cried out in panic.

I stepped after him, too fast and too careless, and my foot caught on the edge of the carpet. My heavy body lost its balance, and I fell. Pain shot from my knees to my palms, and my dignity fell with my body onto the cold marble floor.

The sound of footsteps stopped instantly. I looked up and saw Alexandro turn around. His gaze dropped to me. He simply stood there, looking at me as if I were a child who had made a foolish mistake. I held back the pain, trying to get up, but my knees trembled.

He stepped down one stair.

"Stop," he said.

I stopped moving.

"You have no right to argue," he said.

I bit my lip. "I just want an answer."

"Your question is not important," he replied flatly.

"This concerns my life," I said.

He bent down slightly, just enough for our faces to be level.

"Starting tonight, your life is under my control," he said.

I fell silent.

"You can obey, or you can learn to obey."

I swallowed. "What if I refuse?"

The corner of his lips moved slightly, not a smile, more like a warning.

"In the backyard, I keep lions," he said.

My blood seemed to freeze.

"The enclosure is spacious, but not friendly to stubborn humans."

I trembled, not only because of the threat, but because he said it without emotion, as if it were an equally reasonable option.

Alexandro straightened again. "Get up."

I tried to stand. My knees ached, my hands trembled, but I forced myself.

"This is your only warning," he said before turning away again. "I will not repeat it."

He walked back up, his steps still calm, leaving me below with my heart pounding uncontrollably. I did not chase after him again.

His personal assistant approached, his expression more humane, though still professional. "Come with me, Miss Lucia."

I nodded weakly. He led me to a room upstairs. The room was large, far too large for me. A wide bed with clean white sheets, large windows overlooking the dark garden.

Before leaving, the assistant handed me a thin black folder.

"This is the marriage contract agreement. Mr. Alexandro asked that you read it tonight."

The man walked away, and the door closed softly behind him. I sat on the edge of the bed, the folder on my lap, my hands trembling as I opened it.

Page after page was filled with his rules. Some examples were that I was not allowed to leave the house without permission, I was not allowed to contact the media, I had no rights to assets, this marriage was contractual in nature, feelings were not included in the agreement, the first party, Alexandro, was free to be with any woman, but I, as the second party, was not allowed to interact with other men except those from Alexandro.

It was terribly unfair. Every rule written on those pages felt like a noose tightening around my neck. I clutched my mother's necklace tightly, as if begging it for strength.

And on the final page of the contract, there was one small line that made my heart stop beating.

This contract is absolute and can't be canceled once signed.