His forced bride

One week had passed since that terrifying rainy night. The busy morning crowd had finally slowed down inside the little corner café where Iliyana worked. The sweet smell of roasted coffee beans and fresh vanilla pastries filled the warm room. Iliyana stood behind the counter, wiping the wooden surface with a damp cloth. But her mind was miles away. Her eyes kept drifting to her empty neck, and a heavy sadness pulled at her chest.Loren walked over from the kitchen, carrying a tray of clean cups. She noticed the sad look on Iliyana's face right away."Are you still thinking about that red scarf?" Loren asked gently, setting the cups down. "Iliyana, it was just a scarf. We almost died in that warehouse last week! You should be happy we are alive, not stressing over a piece of cloth."Iliyana stopped wiping the counter. She lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the cloth. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and trembling."It wasn't just a scarf, Loren," Iliyana whispered. A

It was two o'clock in the morning. Outside the house, John's armed guards stood near the front gate, watching the street. Inside the dark house, David quietly opened Iliyana's bedroom door. He had a small flashlight in his hand. He walked over to her bed and shook her awake. "Wake up," David whispered urgently. "Get up right now."Iliyana sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Dad? What happened?""Pack a few clothes. We have to leave this second," he said, handing her a coat. Iliyana followed him down the dark hallway on her tiptoes. But David did not go toward the front door. He led her into the kitchen and unlocked the small back door that opened into an alley behind their garden. "Dad, where are we going?" Iliyana asked, shivering in the cold night air. David pushed open the broken wooden fence. "We are running away. We are going to Adrin. I will get you married to him tonight, and Alex will never know."Before Iliyana could say anything, David grabbed her arm and pulled her into

Iliyana woke up with a sharp ache spreading across her spine. She hadn't touched the huge mattress; she had spent the long night curled up against the cold baseboard in the far corner. Pale morning light cut through the drapes. Within seconds, reality hit her chest like a stone—the ruined wedding, the forced signatures, and being dragged into this gilded cage.A sudden knock broke the quiet.She got to her feet, brushed off her rumpled clothes, and pulled the heavy door open.A young maid stood in the hallway holding a neat stack of folded fabrics and fresh towels. The girl instantly lowered her head."Good morning, Queen."Iliyana flinched. "My name is Iliyana. Just use that."The girl's eyes widened in panic. "No, please. The master was clear. It is either Queen or Ma'am.""Then Ma'am. Never the other word.""Yes, ma'am," the maid whispered, offering the pile. "Please take a shower and change. I have breakfast coming right up."Iliyana stepped back, crossing her arms. "Take it away

The black SUV screeched to a halt in front of the grand mansion.Before the guards could even step forward, Alex shoved his door open. He stepped around to the passenger side, unbuckled the seatbelt, and lifted Iliyana into his arms. Her head fell limp against his chest, her skin cold and pale.Alex marched through the front entrance. The entire mansion was dead silent. The house staff kept their heads bowed, not daring to breathe as the Boss carried his injured bride up the marble stairs.He kicked open the door to his master bedroom and moved straight to the large, king-sized bed. Moving with extreme care, he laid Iliyana down against the soft pillows.The family doctor was already waiting inside the room, trembling with fear."Fix her," Alex commanded, his voice cold and terrifying. "If she stays in pain, you won't leave this room alive.""Y-Yes, Mr. Sterling," the doctor stammered, rushing to the bedside with his medical kit.Alex stood in the corner of the room with his arms cros