chapter one

The room smelled like roses and rain, she noticed immediately.

Mia stood in front of the tall mirror, her reflection barely recognisable. The white gown fitted her perfectly, hugging her in all the right places, the lace soft against her skin. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the small veil pinned into her hair. She had to look perfect; the day had to he perfect, she reminded herself.

It was strange. Everything around her looked like a dream, but she couldn’t feel any of it. It felt like a fairytale and a nightmare all at the same time and she kept feeling like any second she would wake up to see that it wasn't real. But deep down, she knew it was more than real; this was her new reality.

The makeup artist had said she looked beautiful when they were done glamming her up, and the planner had called her lucky, but Mia felt like a thief standing in a stranger’s fairytale.

Outside, she could hear the faint murmur of guests arriving and waiting for her to probably show up. There were not many, she knew that already. Max had insisted on something quiet, private, and even secret. Just a handful of witnesses, no reporters, no cameras. The whole event felt more like a transaction than a celebration, that was what it was supposed to be. Knowing the guest was little didn’t help a bit with the anxiety she was feeling inside of her.

She stared at herself again, Mrs Mia Hult, that was going to be her new name, that was her goal from the very beginning, but the words still didn’t sound real.

A soft knock came at the door, suddenly breaking through her train of thought. She turned to see one of the wedding staff members peeking into the room.

“Miss...uh, Mrs Hult, it’s time.” The staff member informed, and Mia's heart thudded, but all she could do was nod, her lips pressed into a shaky smile.

Mia gave her head a reassuring shake before she finally turned to leave her room. Everyone was waiting, it was too late for her to back out now.

She swallowed as soon as she stepped out of the room, her anxiety increasing. Maybe it wasn't too late; she could flee now and put all of this behind her and never look back. This was the only chance she had to back out of everything, but Mia had to remind herself that for someone like her, there was no way out. Anywhere she went, they were going to find her. She had to do this.

The hallway outside was lined with white flowers and candles in a beautiful delicate manner. The rain had stopped, leaving drops clinging to the tall windows of the house making everything look even more beautiful.

As she walked, her heels clicked softly against the floor, echoing in the silence, which made every step feel heavier than the last.

Then, finally, she saw him, and everything stopped.

Max Hult stood at the end of the aisle, tall and calm in a black tuxedo. His expression didn’t change when she entered. No smile, no warmth, just that same quiet observation, that made her stomach churn each time. His eyes, sharp and grey, followed her every move.

Mia’s breath caught as she stared at him, even after everything she had been told about him, the money, the isolation, the power, nothing prepared her for how unreadable he was. He looked like a man who had seen everything, lost everything, and decided long ago not to care anymore. This was the man she was going to marry in a few minutes and couldn't back out of.

Her eyes remained on his as she walked towards where he was standing, but she could feel the curious gazes on her and tried her best not to look at them because she knew the moment she did, she wouldn't be able to keep her anxiety at bay.

She held her breath when she was finally standing in front of him, but he looked unfazed unlike her.

And then the wedding finally began..

The officiant’s voice was steady and almost too formal, like it was just any other day; she guessed he had probably officiated a lot of weddings.

They went through the motions, the vows, the rings, and the signatures. Everything felt like a complete blur to Mia, but she knew she had to get through the day. She had gone through a lot to get to this moment, and she couldn't afford to ruin it.

When it was time to say “I do,” Mia’s throat went dry, but she managed to whisper it out.

“I do.” The words felt like a harsh slap of her reality and she knew she couldn’t take it back.

Max’s answer came without hesitation after hers. “I do.”

The words echoed in her chest like a closing door. He didn’t even take a moment to hesitate, as if she were standing next to him, as if it were her death sentence.

Applause followed, it was polite and controlled. Someone snapped a photo, while someone else clapped too loudly. Then it was over, just like that, she was married.

Max turned to her, his eyes scanning her expression, making Mia grip her dress for support.

“Congratulations,” he said quietly, his tone flat, almost cold.

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

They posed for a few photographs, the two of them standing close but never touching. Mia tried to smile, but it felt wrong. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her even when the camera clicked.

When the guests were gone, the silence returned. The sound of the rain starting again outside filled the space between them. Now that everyone was gone, her new reality finally set in.

Max walked toward her, his movements calm and deliberate, his eyes still scanning her like he was searching for something. Mia hated how anxious his gaze made her feel, like he could see through her every move and read her mind. It didn’t help increase the guilt in her chest,

“You look pale,” he said in that calm manner that she couldn’t help but dislike. It made her feel like she was the only one who felt like she was losing her damn mind every second.

“I’m fine,” she lied and the words sounded so fake because Mia couldn't remember the last time she had been fine.

He studied her for a moment longer before he finally spoke again. “This wasn’t your idea, was it?”

Her heart skipped and her stomach dropped, confusion filling her eyes. “What do you mean?” she asked in a low voice.

He tilted his head slightly, as he could see through her. “Most women don’t look like they’re about to faint on their wedding day.”

Mia almost let out a sigh of relief “I’m just…" tired.” She replied, reminding herself that she had to be calm around him.

He didn’t respond immediately; instead, His eyes lingered on her a moment longer, and then he turned away.

“We’ll leave for the estate in an hour. My driver will take you there. You can rest after that.”

She wanted to ask something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. He was already walking away, his hands in his pockets, his posture straight and distant.

When he was gone, Mia finally let out the breath she’d been holding. Her hands shook again, the ring on her finger felt heavy, too heavy, like the weight of the guilt that had followed her since the moment she met Max Hult.

She looked out the window at the grey sky and the sleek black car waiting outside. Somewhere behind her reflection, she saw her own fear looking back at her.

This was it.

The beginning of a lie she had to live. The deal she couldn’t escape, she had put up with everything for this moment and she could no longer back out.

And as the door opened and one of Max’s guards gestured for her to follow, she whispered to herself under her breath:

“You just have to survive the year.”

But when she stepped outside and saw Max watching her through the rain, his expression unreadable, a chill ran down her spine.

Something in his eyes told her he already knew.

“Whatever you came here for, Mrs Hult,” he said quietly to himself “you won’t find it.”

The words hung in the air like a promise and a warning.