The glass slipped from her trembling fingers.
It shattered against the marble floor, the sharp sound echoing through the silent mansion like a gunshot.
But she didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't even blink.
Because what she had just heard… couldn't be real.
"…Sign the papers. She's yours now."
Her heart stopped.
No.
No, she must have misunderstood.
Her chest tightened painfully as she stood frozen outside the study, the door slightly ajar. The dim light from inside spilled into the hallway, casting long shadows across the polished floor.
Slowly—hesitantly—she stepped closer.
Each step felt like walking toward her own destruction.
Inside, two men sat across from each other.
One of them… she knew.
Of course she did.
He had raised her.
Protected her.
Given her a home when she had nothing.
Her guardian.
The only family she had left in this world.
And yet…
Right now, his face was calm. Too calm.
As if he hadn't just handed her over like she meant nothing.
Her fingers curled tightly into her dress.
"No complications?" the other man asked.
His voice was deep. Controlled. Cold.
It sent a shiver down her spine.
Her gaze shifted to him.
And for the first time, she saw him clearly.
Tall.
Broad shoulders wrapped in a perfectly tailored black suit.
Sharp features carved like stone.
His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes holding no warmth—only quiet dominance, like someone used to controlling everything around him.
Danger.
That was the only word that came to her mind.
Pure, suffocating danger.
Her guardian leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.
"There won't be any complications," he said with a faint smile. "She's obedient… and she doesn't know anything."
The words hit her like a slap.
Obedient?
Doesn't know anything?
Her throat burned.
So that's what she was to him?
A puppet?
A possession?
A tool to be used and discarded?
Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to stay quiet.
To listen.
To understand.
Because maybe—just maybe—there was a reason.
There had to be.
"There's a debt," the stranger said simply, sliding a document across the table.
Her guardian didn't hesitate.
"I know."
"You can't pay it."
A pause.
Then—
"No," her guardian admitted.
Her stomach dropped.
Debt?
What debt?
Why didn't she know about this?
Silence filled the room for a moment before the stranger spoke again.
"Then we're in agreement."
Her guardian picked up the pen.
And signed.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
No regret.
No second thoughts.
Her knees nearly gave out.
He didn't even think about it.
Didn't even hesitate.
He just… signed her away.
Tears burned her eyes, but she bit her lip hard, refusing to make a sound.
If she made noise… they would know she was here.
And right now, she wasn't ready to face them.
Wasn't ready to face him.
The man she had trusted with her life.
The man who had just sold her.
"She'll come with me tonight," the stranger said, standing to his full height.
Her breath caught.
Tonight?
No…
No, no, no—
Her guardian nodded. "Of course."
Of course.
Of course?
Her heart shattered completely.
That was it.
No explanation.
No apology.
Nothing.
Just… acceptance.
As if she didn't matter at all.
The stranger turned slightly, adjusting his cufflinks.
"Make sure she's ready."
"I will."
That was when something inside her snapped.
Ready?
Ready for what?
For him?
For whatever deal they had just made?
Her body trembled, but this time it wasn't from fear.
It was anger.
Pain.
Betrayal.
She pushed the door open.
The sound echoed loudly, making both men turn toward her.
Silence fell.
Thick.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Her guardian's eyes widened slightly.
"…You heard?"
Her laugh was soft.
Broken.
"Shouldn't I have?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay strong. "Or was I supposed to just… go along with it like always?"
He stood up quickly.
"It's not what you think."
"Then explain it!" she snapped, her voice rising. "Explain why you just signed something that involves me like I'm some kind of property!"
Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe.
"Explain why you said I don't know anything!"
His expression hardened.
"Lower your voice."
That was it.
That was his response.
Not denial.
Not guilt.
Just control.
Her heart broke all over again.
"You sold me…" she whispered.
Silence.
He didn't deny it.
Didn't argue.
Didn't even try to comfort her.
And that silence said everything.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she didn't bother wiping them away.
Because now she knew the truth.
Everything she believed in… was a lie.
"I raised you," he said finally, his tone cold. "I fed you. Gave you a home. Everything you have is because of me."
Her breath hitched.
"And now you're collecting payment?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes darkened.
"You owe me."
The words felt like a knife to her chest.
Owe him?
For what?
For love?
For care?
For being her family?
Her hands shook violently.
"I was a child…" she said. "I didn't ask for any of that."
"That doesn't change the fact that I gave it to you."
Her world spun.
This wasn't the man she knew.
This wasn't the man she trusted.
This was a stranger.
A monster wearing a familiar face.
"I won't go," she said suddenly.
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
Determined.
Silence filled the room again.
Then—
"You don't have a choice."
The voice didn't come from her guardian.
It came from behind her.
Her body stiffened.
She turned slowly.
The stranger was now standing just a few steps away.
Closer than before.
Too close.
His presence was overwhelming, his dark eyes fixed on her like he was studying her.
Evaluating her.
Claiming her.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
"I'm not an object," she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
One corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"No," he said calmly. "You're not."
Hope flickered inside her.
For a brief second—
Then he stepped closer.
"But you are part of the deal."
The hope shattered instantly.
Her breath caught.
"I don't belong to you," she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
"From the moment that contract was signed…" he said slowly, his voice dropping, "you do."
A chill ran down her spine.
This man—
He wasn't asking.
He wasn't negotiating.
He was stating a fact.
And somehow… that terrified her more than anything else.
Her gaze flickered to her guardian one last time.
"Please…" she said, her voice breaking. "Don't do this."
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Something flickered in his eyes.
But it was gone just as quickly.
"Go with him," he said coldly.
That was the final blow.
Something inside her went silent.
Completely.
No more hope.
No more trust.
Nothing.
Just emptiness.
She turned back to the stranger.
To the man who now owned her future.
"…What's your name?" she asked quietly.
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then—
"Damien."
The name sent a strange chill through her.
Damien.
It suited him.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Unforgiving.
She swallowed hard.
"…Fine," she said softly.
Both men looked at her.
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"I'll go."
Because what choice did she have?
But as she stood there, broken yet standing…
One thing became clear in her mind.
This wasn't the end.
It was the beginning.
Of something darker.
Something dangerous.
Something that would change her forever.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
One day—
She would make them regret this.
Every single one of them.