CHAPTER 1
The first sign that something was wrong was not the blindfold. It was the silence, not the normal kind of silence this one had weight. It pressed against Aria De Luca’s ears like something alive, like the world had been muted just for her. Even her breathing sounded too loud inside the black cloth tied over her eyes. Her wrists burned, rope, tight, unforgiving. She jerked again for what felt like the hundredth time. Stop struggling, a male voice said beside her, Cold, controlled, Impatient. Aria froze for half a second, then snapped again. Who are you? She shouted. Let me go! A low chuckle answered from somewhere in front of her. Still spirited,” another voice said. Good. The bidders like that. Bidders? Something in her chest tightened. That word didn’t belong in any normal situation. The vehicle hit a sharp turn, and Aria’s body slammed against the seat. Pain shot through her shoulder. She gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out. Where are you taking me? She demanded again, her voice cracking slightly. I’m a law student. If this is a joke. It’s not, the first man interrupted flatly. The finality in his tone made her stomach drop. Then the engine slowed, stopped, a door opened. Cold air rushed inside, brushing her skin and then hands grabbed her. Rough, unapologetic. She fought instantly, kicked, twisted, bite if she had to. Careful, someone hissed. She’s worth millions, millions. That word froze her more than the grip on her arms. She stopped struggling for a fraction of a second. That was all they needed. She was dragged forward. Her shoes scraped against the stone. The air changed, no longer car exhaust and dust, but something heavier: perfume, expensive cologne, cigars. A crowd, Too many people. Aria’s heart began to hammer violently. No, no, this is wrong, she whispered. You have the wrong person. My father, my father will. Her voice broke when she felt steps beneath her feet, the stairs. They were taking her upward. Then suddenly, bright light exploded through the blindfold as it was ripped off. Aria blinked rapidly, tears forming instantly. And what she saw made her blood turn cold. A hall, massive golden chandeliers hanging from a ceiling so high it felt unreal. Rows of men sitting in curved balconies like judges in hell. Some wore suits worth more than her entire life, Some wore masks. Some didn’t bother hiding their faces at all because they didn’t fear consequences. Welcome, gentlemen, a voice echoed through the speakers. Tonight’s selection is rare. Aria’s breath hitched. She looked down on the stage. She was standing on it. Like an object, like merchandise, like something being displayed, her hands began to shake violently. What! What is this place? She whispered. A man beside her adjusted a clipboard. Lot Seventeen, he announced casually. Age twenty-two, clean bloodline, educated, no known diseases, high value category. Blood drained from Aria’s face, Lot, category. She wasn’t a person in his mouth. She was an inventor. Let me go! She suddenly screamed, her voice breaking into panic. You don’t understand who I am! I’m not, I’m not. A laugh echoed from the crowd, then another and another. They were enjoying her panic. Aria’s vision blurred. "No, no, no,” she whispered, backing away. But there was nowhere to go. Men surrounded her on all sides. Above her, eyes watched like she was entertainment. Then she heard it, "A whisper from somewhere behind her Lucien Moretti is here. The name didn’t mean anything to her, not yet, but the reaction it caused did. The entire hall shifted. Laughter died instantly. Conversations stopped mid sentence. Even the air felt heavier, Aria slowly turned her head. What, what did you say? She asked shakily. No one answered her because everyone was suddenly looking in one direction: the shadows, far across the hall. A section of darkness that didn’t match the golden luxury around it and then a man spoke, Low, Controlled, Dangerously calm. I want her, silence, absolute silence, even the announcer hesitated. Bidding starts at ten million. I didn’t ask, the voice cut in. Aria’s heart stuttered. The voice wasn’t loud but it carried weight, authority, death. Her hands trembled harder. Who is that? She whispered to no one. No one answered because the entire room was frozen. Then footsteps echoed, slow, measured, unhurried from the darkness, a figure stepped forward, tall, broad shouldered, dressed in a black suit that looked tailored by power itself. His face was still partially hidden by shadow, but his presence crushed the room. Aria felt it in her bones: Danger, Not ordinary danger, The kind that ended with bloodlines. The man stopped and finally, light touched his face, dark eyes, sharp jaw, an expression unreadable. He looked at her like she was already something he owned. Aria swallowed hard. Who are you? She asked, voice shaking. He didn’t answer her immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly as if studying a problem. Then he spoke. I wasn’t supposed to come myself. Her chest tightened. What? A pause, then one hundred million. Gasps erupted instantly. The entire hall exploded into noise. Aria staggered backward, One hundred million? Are you insane? Someone shouted from the crowd. But the man didn’t react, not even a flicker. His eyes never left Aria like she was the only thing in the room that existed. The announcer’s voice cracked. S sold to. No counter bids, the man said flatly. Silence returned instantly. No one challenged him, Not one voice. Not even the loudest men in the room dared to speak. Aria stared at him, shaking violently. You can’t do this, she whispered. I’m not an object. I’m not, I’m not yours. For the first time, something shifted in his expression, Not emotion, something deeper; recognition. As if her words amused him. He walked toward her. Each step was slow, controlled, the crowd parted instinctively. Aria tried to step back, but her legs wouldn’t move properly. Her body felt like it didn’t belong to her anymore. He stopped directly in front of her, close enough that she could feel his presence like heat, like gravity. He reached into his pocket. Aria flinched violently. No, don’t touch me, He ignored her and pulled out a ring, Gold, Simple and Terrifying. Aria’s breath stopped. What is that? She whispered. He didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed her hand. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Let go of me, she struggled violently. I said, “LET GO.” But his grip didn’t tighten. It didn’t loosen either. It simply held, controlled, certain. Then he slid the ring onto her finger, cold metal touched her skin and everything inside her froze. The hall went silent again. The man leaned slightly closer. His voice dropped lower. Only she could hear it now. You’re mine now. Aria’s eyes widened in horror. I will kill you, she whispered instantly. I swear to God, I will. A faint pause. Then his lips curved slightly. Not a smile. Something worse, interest. Try, he said softly. Aria’s breath shook. Her hands trembled violently. I’m not yours, she repeated.His gaze darkened slightly. Then he leaned closer so close she felt his words against her skin and whispered the final sentence that shattered everything she thought she understood about her life, Wife.
