THE BILLIONAIRE’S CAGED BRIDE

Zara Malik's POV I woke up to the sound of my door slamming open. Before I could scream, hands grabbed me—rough, gloved, and without warning. My mind didn’t register what was happening, not until my face hit the cold marble floor and my cheek split open from the impact. “What—what is going on?” I gasped, clawing at the hands holding me. A voice I didn’t recognize said coldly, “You’ll want to save your breath.” “Elias!” I screamed. “ELIAS!” No answer. The men yanked me to my feet. My nightdress was torn at the shoulder, my bare feet skidding against the polished floor as they dragged me through the hallway. And there she was. Nadira. My stepmother. Leaning on the staircase like this was a show, and she was the guest of honor. She didn’t flinch when I met her eyes. In fact, she smiled. “Please,” I choked out. “Please, don’t do this. I’ll do anything—” Her voice was calm, almost amused. “You should be thanking me. You’re finally going to be useful.” “Where is Elias?” My voice cracked. “He won’t let you—” She arched a brow. “You really still believe that boy is your savior?” I didn’t have time to scream again before I was shoved into the back of a sleek black car. The door slammed shut. My world tipped sideways. No one spoke during the ride. Not the suited driver who stared ahead like a robot. Not the two guards flanking me like I might detonate at any second. I wasn’t gagged, but what was the point of screaming? We were already far from home. Wherever that was. My heart slammed in my chest like it was trying to escape. I don’t know how long we drove. Minutes. Hours. I lost track. My throat burned. My hands trembled against the leather seat. Then we stopped. The car doors unlocked with a hiss, and the door to my right swung open. I blinked up at the towering gates in front of us. Blackwood Estate. I had heard of it—everyone had. A place wrapped in rumor and shadow. Kian Blackwood’s domain. A man people feared more than they worshipped. And there he was. Standing on the steps like he’d been carved from the same cold stone beneath his feet. Dressed in black from head to toe. His hands were tucked neatly into the pockets of a long coat. His face was unreadable. His eyes... dead. The guards hauled me out. My knees buckled the moment I stood, but I forced myself upright. My skin burned from the cold. My voice was gone. He said nothing as I was led to him. I hated how beautiful he was. How still. Like he had already calculated the outcome of everything and found no reason to pretend to care. I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it. “You belong to me now.” “What?” “You are a debt paid,” he said calmly. “Nothing more.” I shook my head. “I’m not yours. I’m not a thing.” His lips curved into something that wasn’t a smile. “You are exactly what I bought.” “I didn’t agree to anything!” He motioned to a man standing to the side, who handed me a thick folder. Inside, it was a marriage certificate. Kian Blackwood’s name is signed in bold ink. My name was there too. Only... it wasn’t my signature. “This is fake,” I whispered. He tilted his head. “Your stepmother signed on your behalf. Witnessed. Legal enough.” “You can’t force someone into marriage—” “I already did.” I lunged at him, fists swinging, but he stepped back, completely unbothered as the guards grabbed me midair. “I’ll call the police—” “Go ahead,” he said. “But you’ll find that nothing escapes these walls. And no one listens to girls sold off to clear gambling debts.” I froze. “You think I wouldn’t check the details?” he continued. “Your stepmother owed more than money. She owed blood. She offered you as payment. I accepted.” “You’re sick.” His gaze dropped briefly to my trembling hands. “You’re shaking,” he murmured. “You smell like fear... and secrets.” He leaned in, close enough that I felt his breath tickle my ear. “Both excite me.” I jerked away from him, disgusted, but his expression didn’t change. “You’ll be given clothes. A room. Meals at regular hours. You’ll show your face when I say so and disappear when I don’t. If you try to run, you’ll regret it. Am I clear?” I spat at his feet. Kian blinked once, then turned and walked away as if I wasn’t worth a reaction. The guards followed. I stood alone at the gates, heart thudding so loud I thought it would split my ribs. One of the guards returned, handed me a silver bracelet, and clamped it around my wrist. It blinked red. “What is this?” “Tracker.” “You’re insane.” “No, darling,” said a voice behind me. Kian stood there again, hands in his pockets, as calm as a shadow. “I’m meticulous.” My throat tightened. “Why me? You could have taken anyone. Why me?” He stepped closer. “Because your father owed me more than money. He owed me a life. And since he’s nowhere to be found... I’ll start with his daughter.” I felt the blood drain from my face. “You knew my father?” “Oh, sweetheart.” His tone was mockingly sweet. “I knew him better than you ever did.” “You’re doing this for revenge?” He smiled. “Let’s call it... closure.” “You’re a monster.” He stepped close again, eyes boring into mine. “I’m what the world made me. You’ll learn that soon.” The mansion loomed behind him like something out of a nightmare. Cold and perfect and merciless. I wanted to scream, but I held it in. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. Instead, I straightened my spine and looked him dead in the eye. “You’ll regret this.” He didn’t blink. “You’re mine now,” he whispered. “And I always break what’s mine.” The iron gates slammed shut behind me.