love: The ultimate price for death

The heavy rain pounded against Elena Hart's umbrella as she stood outside the towering black gates of the Romano estate. Her fingers trembled, not from the cold but from fear. She had heard the stories. Lucien Romano wasn't just another wealthy businessman. He was the ruthless head of the Romano Syndicate, a man whose name alone could silence an entire room. People whispered that he never forgave betrayal, never showed mercy, and never made the same mistake twice. Yet tonight, she had no choice but to walk into his world. Her father had borrowed twenty million dollars from him. Now the debt was due. If the money wasn't repaid before midnight, her father would be executed. Elena pressed the intercom beside the gate. "I'm here to see Mr. Lucien Romano." Silence. Then a cold voice replied, "State your business." "My name is Elena Hart... Richard Hart's daughter." The line went dead. A knot formed in her stomach. For nearly a minute, nothing happened. Then the enormous iron gates slowly opened. Two men dressed in black suits stepped outside. "This way." Neither of them smiled. Neither spoke another word. Elena followed them through a magnificent courtyard lined with fountains and expensive cars she couldn't even name. The mansion ahead looked less like a home and more like a fortress. Everything about it screamed power. Inside, the atmosphere was even more intimidating. Crystal chandeliers illuminated polished marble floors while armed guards stood silently along the hallways. She suddenly wondered if coming here had been a terrible mistake. One of the guards stopped before a pair of double doors. "The boss is waiting." He pushed the doors open. The office was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city below, while shelves filled with rare books stretched across one wall. Standing beside the window was a tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His broad shoulders remained still as he gazed at the rain outside. Without turning around, he spoke. "So... you're Richard Hart's daughter." His voice was calm. Too calm. "Yes." Only then did he face her. Elena had expected someone older. Instead, the man before her looked to be in his early thirties. His sharp jawline, piercing gray eyes, and composed expression made him look almost unreal. Dangerously handsome. But there was no warmth in those eyes. Only ice. "My father..." Elena began carefully. "I'm here to beg for more time." Lucien walked toward his desk and opened a file. "I've already given him six months." "I know." "He promised to repay every cent." "I know." "He lied." Each word landed like a hammer. Elena lowered her head. "I'm sorry." Lucien closed the file. "I don't need your apology." He looked directly into her eyes. "I need my money." "I'll work. I'll repay you little by little." His expression didn't change. "Twenty million dollars?" She bit her lip. "I'll find a way." For the first time, a faint smile crossed his face. It wasn't amused. It was calculating. "There is another way." Hope flashed across her face. "Anything." He reached into a drawer, removed a thick document, and placed it gently on the desk between them. It was a contract. "I'll erase every cent your father owes me." Elena stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. "There has to be a condition." "There is." Lucien folded his hands behind his back. His gaze never left hers. "Become my wife." The room fell silent. Even the sound of the rain outside seemed to disappear. Elena's breath caught in her throat. She had come to beg for mercy. She never imagined she would leave with a marriage proposal from the most feared man in the city.