Divine_riro_Riro

Lena Carter never imagined her wedding day would feel like a sentence rather than a celebration. Forced into marriage to save her family’s legacy, she finds herself bound to Damian Blackwood—a man as ruthless in business as he is in his personal life. Cold, calculating, and utterly unyielding, Damian sees their union as nothing more than a strategic move.

But neither of them expected the sparks that ignite between them.

Trapped in a marriage neither wanted, Lena fights against the invisible chains of her new life, refusing to be another pawn in Damian’s empire. Yet, the more she resists, the more she finds herself drawn to the man behind the icy façade—a man who harbors secrets as deep as his ambition.

When old enemies resurface and betrayals threaten to destroy them both, Lena must decide—will she continue to fight the man she was forced to marry, or will she risk her heart for a love she never saw coming?

A marriage built on obligation. A passion neither can deny. Can love bloom in the midst of reluctance?

The Cold Billionaire's Birde

The morning air was crisp, but Lena felt anything but refreshed. Sleep had been restless, her mind replaying the eerie image of the shadow by the gates, Damian's warning echoing in her ears.

She wasn't one to be easily intimidated, but something about this unsettled her.

Descending the grand staircase, she found the household already in motion. Staff moved seamlessly through the halls, but their presence barely registered as she made her way to the breakfast room.

Seated at the head of the long mahogany table, he read the morning paper, a fresh cup of black coffee in hand. He looked as composed as ever—controlled, unreadable.

"Good morning," she greeted, taking a seat across from him.

He glanced up briefly, then folded the newspaper. "You're up early."

She reached for the tea pot, pouring herself a cup. "Couldn't sleep."

Damian leaned back slightly, his gaze studying her. "Because of last night?"

Lena hesitated, debating how much to reveal. Finally, she placed her cup down. "I thought I saw someone near the gates."

His expression didn't change, but a flicker of something passed through his eyes.

"Did you tell security?" he asked.

"I was about to, but then… the figure was gone."

He nodded, thoughtful. "You're not the type to imagine things."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Damian reached for his phone, tapping out a quick message before setting it down. "I'll have the security footage reviewed."

Lena arched a brow. "And if there was someone there?"

His jaw tightened slightly. "Then I'll handle it."

The finality in his tone should have reassured her. It didn't.

Later that afternoon, Lena decided to take matters into her own hands.

She wasn't just going to sit around and wait for answers.

With quiet determination, she made her way to the estate's security office, tucked near the rear of the house. When she entered, a guard looked up in surprise.

"I need to see last night's footage from the front gates."

The guard hesitated. "Mr. Blackwood has already requested a review."

"Then there's no harm in me seeing it too, is there?"

A beat of silence. Then, reluctantly, he turned to the monitors, pulling up the relevant footage.

Lena leaned in, watching as the video played. At first, there was nothing—just the empty driveway, the iron gates standing firm.

Then, at the edge of the screen, movement.

Dressed in dark clothing, standing just beyond the fence line.

The figure didn't try to enter. Didn't move aggressively.

Then, just as quickly as they had appeared, they melted into the darkness.

Lena straightened. "Can you enhance that image?"

The guard adjusted the footage, zooming in, sharpening the pixels. The figure remained a shadowed silhouette, but something about them felt eerily familiar.

"I need a copy of this," she said.

The guard hesitated again but nodded. "I'll have it sent to your email."

As Lena turned to leave, her heart pounded with one certainty.

Whoever that was, they hadn't been there by accident.

And she needed to find out why before it was too late.

Unseen Threats