Bound by Revenge, Claimed By Love

The wedding hall was filled with light, laughter, and celebration. But Elena Carter felt nothing. Not happiness. Not excitement. Not even fear. Just… emptiness. Dressed in a breathtaking white gown, she stood at the end of the aisle, her trembling fingers clutching the bouquet a little too tightly. Her heart pounded in her chest—not with joy, but with a suffocating heaviness she couldn’t escape. This wasn’t her dream wedding. This wasn’t love. This was a deal. A sacrifice. Her gaze slowly lifted… and landed on the man waiting for her at the altar. Sebastian Knight. Tall. Powerful. Untouchable. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he stood like a king who owned the world—and everyone in it. His sharp features were cold, his expression unreadable, and his dark eyes… They held no warmth. Only hatred. Elena’s breath hitched. That look… it wasn’t something a groom should ever have for his bride. It felt like she was walking toward her own execution. “Walk,” her father’s low, desperate voice whispered beside her. Her fingers tightened. This was the price she had to pay. Her family was drowning in debt. Her father’s business was on the verge of collapse. And Sebastian Knight—the man standing at the altar—was the only one who could save them. But nothing came for free. He had asked for her. Not as a partner. Not as a lover. But as a punishment. Elena swallowed the lump in her throat and forced her feet to move. Step by step… she walked toward him. Each step felt heavier than the last, like invisible chains were wrapping around her ankles, dragging her deeper into a life she never chose. The whispers around her faded. The music blurred. Everything disappeared… Except him. Sebastian Knight. The closer she got, the colder the air felt. And when she finally stood in front of him, her heart nearly stopped. Up close, he was even more intimidating. His presence was suffocating. Dominating. Dangerous. For a brief second, their eyes met. Elena felt it— A chill running down her spine. Because in his gaze… There was no mercy. “Do you, Sebastian Knight, take Elena Carter as your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest’s voice echoed through the hall. A moment of silence followed. Elena’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. Say it… Just say it and end this. But Sebastian didn’t speak immediately. Instead… he looked at her. Really looked at her. As if memorizing every detail of her face. As if deciding something. And then, slowly—very slowly— A faint, dangerous smirk touched his lips. “I do.” His voice was calm. Cold. Certain. A shiver ran through Elena. It didn’t sound like a promise. It sounded like a verdict. “And do you, Elena Carter, take Sebastian Knight as your lawfully wedded husband?” Her throat went dry. For a second, she couldn’t speak. This was it. The moment that would change everything. Her eyes flickered toward her father, who stood a few steps away—his face filled with guilt, helplessness, and silent pleading. She closed her eyes for a brief second. Then opened them again. “I… do.” Her voice was soft. Barely above a whisper. But it was enough. Enough to seal her fate. “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The words echoed like a final blow. “You may kiss the bride.” Elena’s breath caught. Her body stiffened. No. Please… Before she could even process the thought— Sebastian stepped closer. Too close. She could feel the heat of his body, the overwhelming dominance of his presence. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the fabric of her dress. And then— His hand reached up. Gripping her chin. Firmly. Forcing her to look up at him. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Their eyes locked. And this time… She saw it clearly. Not just hatred. But something darker. Something dangerous. “Don’t forget,” he murmured, his voice so low that only she could hear, “this marriage isn’t a fairy tale.” Her breath trembled. “It’s your punishment.” Before she could react— His lips crashed against hers. The kiss wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t loving ,It was rough, Possessive , Claiming. Elena’s eyes widened in shock, her body freezing as his grip tightened slightly, leaving no room for resistance. It felt like he wasn’t kissing her… He was marking her. Telling the world— She belongs to him. And there was nothing she could do about it. When he finally pulled away, Elena struggled to breathe. Her lips trembled. Her heart raced uncontrollably. But Sebastian? He looked completely unaffected. Calm. Composed. Untouchable. As if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just shattered something inside her. The crowd erupted into applause. Cheers filled the hall. But Elena couldn’t hear any of it. Because deep down… She knew. This wasn’t the beginning of a love story. This was the beginning of something far more dangerous. As Sebastian took her hand, his grip firm and unyielding, he leaned slightly closer and whispered— “Welcome to hell, Mrs. Knight.” Elena’s fingers went cold. Her heart skipped a beat. And for the first time since the wedding began… She felt fear. Real fear. Because something told her— This man… Her husband… Wasn’t just her fate. He was her destruction.😈