Chapter 5: The Devil Arrives

The morning after Father’s ultimatum, I barely slept. I kept replaying the conversation in the study and hoping something would change, that maybe the Dravens would need weeks or months to arrange things. Time for me to breathe. Time to find another way out.

But by ten o’clock, the doorbell rang.

My hands shook as I smoothed down the simple dress Evelyn had helped me pick out. I stood at the top of the stairs, heart hammering, as Father opened the door.

Two men stepped inside. One older, distinguished, with silver-streaked hair and sharp features. Sebastian Draven, his father I assumed. The other…

Lucian.

He was taller than I expected, easily over six feet, with broad shoulders, black hair, a sharp jawline, and eyes like storm clouds. He carried himself like he owned the air around him.

My stomach dropped.

Father greeted them smoothly. “Mr. Draven, Lucian. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, come in.”

Isadora and Natalia appeared from the living room, suddenly all smiles. Natalia even did a little hair flip. I stayed on the stairs for a second longer, trying to steady my breathing, before forcing myself down.

Lucian’s gaze swept the room once before landing on me. No warmth. No curiosity. Just cold assessment, like I was an object being delivered. His eyes lingered on my face, then dropped briefly down my body before returning to my eyes. Something flickered there, too fast for me to read, then vanished behind those cold eyes.

“Aurora,” Father said, waving me forward. “This is Lucian Draven. Your… future husband.”

I stopped a few feet away, folding my hands tightly to hide the trembling. “Hello,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucian didn’t smile. He gave a single nod. “We’re finalizing the paperwork today. I’ll be taking her home with me this afternoon.”

The words hit like a slap. I blinked. “Today? But… the wedding. I thought there would be time…”

“No need for delays,” he cut in, voice low. “The agreement is signed. The money will transfer once she’s under my roof. There’s nothing left to discuss.”

I looked desperately at Father, expecting him to protest. To say something like at least wait until the ceremony or give her a few days to prepare. This was too fast.

But Father only smiled, relief plain on his face. “Of course. Whatever works best for you, Lucian. We appreciate your… efficiency.”

Isadora nodded eagerly. “Yes, absolutely. No point dragging things out. Aurora can pack light. She doesn’t have much worth taking anyway.”

Natalia smirked, not even trying to hide her glee. “Finally. The house will be quieter.”

My chest tightened. They couldn’t wait to get rid of me. Not even a fake protest for appearances. I was the problem they’d been stuck with, and now the solution had walked through the door.

Evelyn had been hovering near the hallway. When Lucian’s name was spoken, her entire posture changed. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at him, then at me. Before anyone could say more, she stepped forward and gently touched my elbow.

“Aurora, can I help you pack a few things?” she asked, voice steady but urgent.

I nodded gratefully and followed her upstairs to my room. The moment the door closed behind us, she pulled me into the corner, away from the door.

“I didn’t know it was Lucian you were marrying,” she whispered fiercely, gripping my arms. Her eyes searched mine. “Listen to me carefully. Trust me… you will be safer there than here. Much safer. Do whatever you have to do, but survive. I’ll explain more when I can.”

My heart raced. “What do you mean? Evelyn, you’re scaring me. Safer how? He looks like he hates me already.”

She shook her head, pressing her lips together. “I’m not ready to explain everything. Not yet. Just… keep your eyes open and your heart guarded. And remember what I told you before. You’re stronger than they know.”

Before I could press her for more, a knock sounded. One of the Draven men, probably security, stood outside. “Mr. Draven is ready to leave.”

Evelyn hugged me quickly. “I’ll find a way to stay in touch,” she whispered against my hair. Then she let go.

I packed in a small suitcase with clothes, the necklace from my mother, and a few personal things. It took less than fifteen minutes. When I came back downstairs, Lucian was already waiting by the door, checking his watch. No one hugged me goodbye. Father gave me a quick pat on the shoulder and another “You’re doing the right thing, sweetheart.” Natalia smirked. Isadora looked relieved.

Lucian didn’t say a word as he led me outside to his car. His driver opened the door. I slid into the back seat, and Lucian followed, sitting close enough that I could smell him. The car pulled away from the only home I’d ever known.

The silence was suffocating.

I stared out the window, watching the familiar streets disappear. My mind spun with Evelyn’s words, with Father’s manipulation, with the speed of all this. Lucian sat rigid beside me, long fingers tapping once on his thigh before going still.

At one point, the car turned a corner sharply. I shifted to catch my balance, and my hand brushed against his on the seat between us. Just fingers. Bare skin for half a second .

I yanked my hand back like I’d been burned, cheeks flushing. But Lucian… he went completely still. I felt the shift in him, the way his breathing changed, the sudden tension in his shoulders. For one brief, terrifying moment, his eyes darkened as they flicked to my face, then down to my mouth, then lower. Like he wanted to grab me right there in the back seat. Like he was fighting some violent urge.

Then the mask slammed back down.

He gave me a cold, cutting glare that made my stomach twist. “You can settle in when we arrive,” he said flatly.”

The rest of the drive was silent. I pressed myself against the door, trying to make myself small. My skin still tingled where we’d touched. What the hell was that? Hate? Or something worse?

The Draven mansion was nothing like I expected. It was massive. Lucian didn’t give me a tour. He simply handed me off to a housekeeper. “Show her to the guest room on the second floor. She stays there until I say otherwise.”

The housekeeper led me upstairs. The room was beautiful but impersonal. My suitcase looked pathetic sitting on the floor.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands. Living with a man who looked at me like I was something he had to tolerate. A man whose brief touch had sent sparks flying through me even as he glared like he wanted me gone.

Evelyn’s words echoed in my head. Safer there than here.

I didn’t understand any of it.

But as I unpacked my few belongings and touched the necklace on my neck, I realized one thing clearly.

My old life was gone.

And whatever waited for me in this house was going to test every piece of me I had left.