Chapter One.

Every corner of the Grand hall was covered in white orchids, the scent thick and cloying, matching the crushing pressure of the expectations in the room.

At the altar, Roman Sterling adjusted his cufflinks.

He looked every bit the polished heir.

"Oh, you look so handsome, son." his mother whispered, stepping into his space. Even at fifty, she wore her diamonds and elegance like a charm.

Roman offered a smile.

"I still can’t believe you chose that Pierce girl." she continued with a hiss. "I heard her father is drowning in debt. Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Roman?"

Roman chuckled, "Mom, come on. Remember the plan? We just need that land. The mine alone holds enough gold to settle their debts ten times over. They’re desperate...so I offered a ring in exchange for the deed. Two years from now, I’ll hand her the divorce papers and keep the fortune."

His mother’s expression softened, a greed mirroring his own.

"I like the idea..."

Roman’s smirk deepened as his gaze drifted toward the doors.

And as a bonus..he thought, I get Elara Pierce in my bed and at my mercy until I’m done with her.

"Come on, Mom. Smile, okay?" He placed a hand on her shoulder. She rolled her eyes but forced a small grin.

"I wonder where they are?" she murmured, looking toward the entrance.

~♠︎~

Outside the hotel, Inside a Bentley.

"Dad? Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Elara’s baby blue eyes searched her father’s. His were a matching oceanic blue, but today, they looked tired, drowned by a pressure he couldn't carry alone.

He reached over, his hand steadying hers where it trembled against her silk gown.

"Elara.." he said softly. "You know I would never force you into this. We can tell the driver to turn around right now. We can go home and end this."

Elara’s heart sank. She looked out the tinted window at the glowing lights of the big hotel.

Home. They wouldn't even have a home in a month if she didn't walk through those doors.

The debt was a nightmare that followed them everywhere. Their company had spiraled into bankruptcy so fast it made her head spin.

The rumors were the killing blow, vicious lies that her father was running a Ponzi scheme. They had fought to scrub their name clean, but the mud wouldn't stop sticking.

Then came the Sterling offer. Or rather, Roman Sterling's offer.

Elara’s stomach churned just thinking about him. He was a scumbag in a designer suit, arrogant, ignorant, and a notorious womanizer.

The deal was simple: a marriage contract. He would clear the debt and the Pierce name in exchange for a specific plot of land.

Elara looked at her father, seeing the sad smile on his face. She let out a shaky breath.

"We’ve come too far to turn back now, Dad. Roman is the only one who can help us. I’ll be fine." she said even though the words felt heavy in her ears.

Her father’s gaze dropped, shadowed by a fresh wave of guilt.

"I’m so sorry, Elara. I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess."

"Dad, we’re in this together. Always." she promised, forcing a small smile to reassure him. "We should go in. You know how the Sterlings get when they’re kept waiting, they like to be the ones in control."

Her father nodded slowly.

"Your mother would be so proud of the woman you’ve become." he whispered.

They stepped out of the car together, the cool night air hitting her skin. Her off-the-shoulder gown clung to her curves like a second skin, the silk shimmering under the hotel’s valet lights.

She was the kind of woman men didn't just notice, they stared, unable to look away.

She hooked her arm securely through her father’s, and together, they walked into the hotel..

The moment they entered the hall, the room went silent for a heartbeat before the whispering began. Roman spotted her immediately.

His eyes didn't go to her face first, no.. they roamed hungrily over her body, claiming what he felt he’d already bought.

He excused himself from his mother and walked toward them.

"You took your time." Roman said..

Elara’s father offered a smile, extending his hand.

"My apologies, Roman. We just needed a moment.. a father-daughter talk to keep her at ease."

Roman shifted his gaze to Elara. She didn't look nervous, she looked bored, her expression was indifference.

"Hello, my beautiful." he murmured with a smile at his lips. He reached out and took her hand.

As he pressed a kiss to her knuckles, Elara felt a shiver of disgust crawl down her spine.

Roman pulled her against him, his hand wrapped around her waist with a proprietary squeeze.

"I've been waiting, Let’s get engaged." he whispered against her ear, his breath smells of an expensive scotch.

How much she wanted to shove him back, to scream at him to get his hands off her, but she knew better.

Roman Sterling lived for his Alpha reputation. If she embarrassed him in front of his peers, he wouldn't just be pissed, he’d be vengeful.

So, she swallowed her pride and gave a stiff tiny nod.

Satisfied, he began to parade her toward the altar.

~♠︎~

Meanwhile, they weren't alone.

High above the Hall floor, tucked away in the shadows of a stone balcony, a silhouette stood perfectly still.

The only thing visible was the faint glint of his grey eyes. They didn't scan the room, they were locked onto Elara with so much intensity.

He had seen everything. He saw the way she hesitated at the door. He saw the way Roman’s hands gripped her waist. He even saw the microscopic flinch of her jaw when Roman’s lips touched her skin.

Every expression, every shiver of her disgust, was recorded in his mind. He didn't move, he didn't blink, he was just starting. 

A man in his fifties stepped out of the darkness behind him, bowing his head in respect.

"Mr. Vane.." the man whispered. "The authorities will be here in a minute, exactly as you commanded."

Mr. Vane didn't look away from Elara and he didn't even speak back. He simply flicked a finger.

The man nodded and vanished back into the dark. 

He watched as the diamond caught the light, hovering just inches from Elara’s finger.

"Elara..."

His voice was a deep baritone that barely stirred the air.

Without waiting to see the fallout, he turned his back on the glittering farce below. His silhouette moved as he disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.

Down at the altar, Roman was leaning in, a smirk on his face as he prepared to slide the ring onto Elara’s finger.

Suddenly, the doors of the Hall didn't just open..they slammed against the marble walls..

A group of stern, suited men marched in, their boots a harsh contrast to the soft orchestral music that died instantly.

Roman’s smirk vanished into a frown. The room erupted into whispers.

"Who are you people?" Mrs. Sterling shrieked, stepping forward with her chin high. "Can't you see an engagement is going on? How dare you barge in here?"

Roman stepped in front of Elara. "What’s the meaning of this?"

"We are looking for Mr. Pierce." One of the Man announced..

Beside Roman, Elara’s eyes widened..