Taken by force, kept by love

Aria Mendez stood still in the silk gown she hadn’t chosen, surrounded by murmurs and petals and a future she didn’t ask for. The chapel was beautiful—ivory roses trailing from every arch, candlelight flickering over polished marble—but all she could see was the gilded cage closing in around her. Her hands trembled around the bouquet as the string quartet began to play. She wasn’t marrying for love. She was marrying to save her family. That had always been the plan. Luca Marcellus—the quiet, agreeable brother. He was supposed to meet her at the altar. Kind. Predictable. Barely a shadow in the Marcellus empire. But when the heavy oak doors opened, and she stepped down the aisle, it wasn’t Luca waiting. It was him. Dominic Marcellus. Aria froze mid-step, heart plummeting as their eyes locked. The man standing in his brother’s place wasn’t a groom. He was a storm in a black suit. Towering. Cold. Eyes like onyx—sharp enough to cut and dark enough to drown in. No warmth. No smile. Just power. Whispers echoed through the pews. Even her parents looked confused. But Dominic didn’t blink. He extended a hand. “Let’s not keep them waiting, wife.” Panic clawed up her throat. “Where’s Luca?” He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned in, voice low and final. “There’s been a change. I’m your husband now.” Before she could speak, the priest began. Her family remained silent. The ceremony carried on. And by the time the ring slid onto her finger, Aria realized—whatever deal had been struck, she had no voice in it. Dominic Marcellus hadn’t come to save her. He’d come to own her.