Ariana’s POV
The ride to the Blackwood mansion felt longer than it actually was.
I sat stiffly in the back seat, my hands clenched tightly on my lap, the heavy wedding ring on my finger feeling like a chain I couldn’t remove. The silence in the car was suffocating. Damien sat beside me, his presence cold and distant, like I wasn’t even there.
Not once did he look at me.
Not once did he speak.
And somehow… that was worse.
I turned my head slightly, staring out the window, watching the city lights blur past. Everything felt unreal. Just a few hours ago, I was in my room, bleeding and helpless.
Now… I was married.
Married to a man who knew I was a lie.
My chest tightened.
What have I gotten myself into?
The car finally slowed before a massive gate. It opened smoothly, revealing a l
