The dry click of the car door closing cut through the cold night air. Ava was led to an intricately carved iron gate, towering over her, opening onto a stone path that vanished into the darkness. In the distance, a magnificent villa emerged, its lit windows sparkling like the eyes of a monster awaiting its prey. This was the Blackwood mansion, where she would begin her new life, a prisoner's life.
An elderly butler, with neatly combed gray hair and eyes as sharp as razors, stood ready in the foyer. He wore a crisp uniform, observing Ava with an expressionless gaze, as if appraising a newly acquired item. "Welcome, Miss. Please come in." His voice was flat, devoid of warmth, sending a shiver down Ava's spine. "I am Hawkins, the butler of this estate. All your daily arrangements will be handled by me."
Dozens of other servants lined up on either side, their glances curious yet wary as they swept over Ava. Not a smile, not a greeting. They looked at her as a stranger, an intruder, or worse, a new doll brought home by Ryder Blackwood. Ava felt the air thick and stifling. This was not a home; it was a gilded cage.
Hawkins led Ava up to the second floor. The long, deep hallway, carpeted in deep crimson velvet, was adorned with abstract paintings and priceless antiques. At the end of the corridor was a massive mahogany door. "This is your room, Miss."
The room was twice the size of Ava's old apartment, decorated in a minimalist yet exquisitely refined style. A king-size bed with crisp white silk sheets dominated the center. Next to it, an open wardrobe hung with an array of delicate silk and lace dresses in various colors. They were stunningly beautiful, yet looking at them made Ava feel colder than ever. They weren't clothes for her to wear, but costumes for a role, the role of an anonymous mistress.
"These are for you, Miss," Hawkins gestured towards the wardrobe. "Tonight, Mr. Ryder wishes for you to dine with him at seven. Please do not keep him waiting." With that, he gave a slight bow, closed the door, and the dry click of the lock separated Ava from the outside world.
Ava collapsed onto the edge of the bed, feeling utterly drained. She looked around the empty room, devoid of any photos or personal belongings. She reached out to touch the cold silk sheets, then slowly walked to a small table by the window. On it, the contract she had signed earlier lay neatly.
Each clause was starkly clear under the lamplight. "Clause 1: Miss Ava shall become the legal wife of Ryder Blackwood for a period of five years, with no right to divorce without Party B's consent." "Clause 3: All social relationships and personal freedoms of Party A shall be entirely at Party B's discretion and control." "Clause 5: Party A must comply with all requests from Party B, including marital duties whenever Party B desires, without refusal." "Clause 7: If Party A violates any clause, Party B reserves the right to terminate all financial support to Party A and her family, and to pursue legal action."
The more she read, the deeper Ava's heart sank into the abyss. This was not a marriage; it was a sentence. She had personally signed her own verdict, selling herself for her brother's breath. Tears no longer fell. Instead, there was an extreme emptiness.
Exactly at seven, Ava donned a simple black silk dress, so thin she felt almost naked. She was escorted by Hawkins to the main dining room. Ryder was already seated, alone, at the head of the long table, his posture regal like a king. He didn't look up, only gestured for her to sit opposite him.
Dinner passed in terrifying silence. Ryder ate slowly, elegantly, yet every movement exuded absolute control. Ava only dared to take a few small bites; the food seemed to catch in her throat. She didn't dare look directly at Ryder, only occasionally stealing glances. He seemed indifferent to her presence, or merely viewed her as another object in the room.
When dinner concluded, Ryder set down his silverware with a sharp, small clink. He looked up at Ava, his glacial blue eyes sending shivers down her spine. "Follow me."
He stood, not waiting for her reply, and walked straight towards the stairs leading to the upper floor. Ava knew she had no choice. She followed him, each step heavy.
Ryder led her into another room, not hers, but his. It was larger, with dark colors dominating, exuding a strong, cold masculinity. The dim light from a bedside lamp illuminated the king-size bed in the center, covered with a black duvet.
Ryder turned, his gaze locking onto Ava, like a predator eyeing its prey. "Take it off."
Ava froze. Her entire body stiffened. "Wh-what?"
"I said, take it off." His voice deepened, laced with a hint of dwindling patience, yet still full of menace. He took a step towards her. The cool, distinct scent of sandalwood and mint hit her, making Ava want to retreat.
Tears welled in Ava's eyes. She trembled as she reached for the buttons of her dress. She knew what was about to happen. Humiliation surged, consuming her. Button by button, the silk dress slid down, revealing her slender, delicate figure under the dim light.
Ryder didn't move. He stood there, his eyes fixed on her, as if savoring the performance he had orchestrated. When the dress fell completely to her feet, Ava was left in only her flimsy lingerie. She hastily hugged herself, wanting to conceal her vulnerability, her nakedness.
Ryder's lips curved subtly, an almost invisible, faint smile. He stepped closer, each step a pounding drumbeat in Ava's chest. He reached out and lifted her chin, his sharp gaze sweeping over her tear-filled eyes.
"That's right," he said, his voice a whisper, yet utterly authoritative. "You're more beautiful when you obey."
He leaned down without warning, his lips pressing against hers, cold and possessive. Ava struggled weakly, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt the brutality in his kiss, devoid of any tenderness, only pure desire and the affirmation of ownership. His hand tightened around her waist, pulling her close against his firm body, making escape impossible.
Ava's body trembled uncontrollably. She felt Ryder's hot breath, the chill of his skin as he caressed, exploring every curve of her body. His every touch was like a searing burn, incinerating her last shred of purity. He pushed her onto the bed, without an ounce of tenderness, and Ava felt like a rag doll tossed aside.
The soft tear of fabric echoed as Ryder ripped away Ava's flimsy lingerie. Humiliation reached its peak. She squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip hard, trying not to let out a scream. She felt him press down on her, heavy and oppressive. His ragged breaths fanned her ear, while he carried out brutal acts of possession, heedless of her pain and internal struggle.
Ava's scent, her innocence and fear, seemed to excite Ryder in a strange way. He said nothing, simply leaned down, his kisses scattered across her neck, her collarbone, then moving lower, utterly possessive. Ava felt herself sinking into a bottomless abyss, dragged into Ryder's storm of desire, unable to breathe, unable to resist. She could only cling to the thought of Lam An, of her family, to prevent the physical pain from crushing her soul.
The torment lasted; every minute, every second, was pure agony. When it was finally over, Ryder released her abruptly. He stood up, calmly adjusting his clothes, as if he had just done something completely ordinary, leaving no trace of emotion.
"Sleep," he said, his voice as cold as before. He turned his back, walked towards the window, and stood there looking out, never once turning to look at her again.
Ava lay there, curled up on the vast bed, her body aching, utterly drained. The tears were gone, replaced by an emptiness and chilling cold that penetrated to her bones. She knew this was just the beginning of hell. The cold moonlight from outside streamed into the dark room, illuminating her naked, solitary body, a cruel reminder that she had lost everything.