Now my body was wrapped in a wedding gown. I had thought Alex’s words about making me his wife were nothing more than an empty threat to frighten me. But his words had turned out to be true. After locking me in that snake pit, Alex had taken me away to marry him. And now—I was truly his wife.

I had fallen into a pit of darkness so deep that there was no way out. There seemed to be no hope of ever escaping Alex’s world. I had become his lawful wife, even though I knew there was some hidden reason behind this marriage.

“You are my wife now, Grace.”

“Why did you marry me, Alex?” I asked, my voice sharp and angry.

“Because I can’t risk you spilling my dirty secrets. And because I want to keep you forever, Grace,” he replied flatly.

When Alex forced me to marry him, my hands and feet were bound. I sat silently, staring at him. And when it came time for me to recite the sacred vows, Alex pressed a gun to my head and threatened one of my family members. He knew everything about my identity.

I still had a father, though he was gravely ill. He had been in treatment for so long that my mother had been forced to borrow money from loan sharks. The debts had grown uncontrollably.

I had once told Alex that I was alone in the world, hoping he would never discover my father’s existence. But now my greatest fear had come true. He had found out—and used my father as leverage. In the end, I gave in. I became his wife. I spoke the vows with trembling lips.

“You madman, I would never betray you. I don’t care about your business dealings. But where is my father, Alex?” I snapped at him.

“I am mad because of you, Grace. You killed my brother. Don’t worry—your father is fine. I’ve already moved him.”

“You bastard! I told you, I’m not your brother’s killer. Talking is useless; you’ll never believe me. But don’t you dare involve my father in this! Release him—take him back to where he was!” I shouted furiously. Alex had crossed the line.

Now, in his room, I trembled with dread. What if he tried to touch me? Even though I was his wife, I would never surrender my body to a man as vile and cruel as him.

“I have proof, Grace. You killed him. Obey my orders—I am your husband. You must act like a wife. And if you ever defy me, I will hurt your father. Or worse—I’ll send him to join your mother.”

My fists clenched. I wanted to fight him, but I had no power.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I thought of my father, whose condition was already worsening—and now Alex was at his side.

“Alex, I’ll obey you. But do not hurt my father. If you harm him in the slightest, I swear I will kill you myself.” I tried to threaten him, though I knew Alex would never take my words seriously.

His laughter rang out, fueling my rage. He mocked me, as if I were nothing.

“I’m not joking, Alex. I can kill you!”

“Really? Then try it. Kill me,” he said, tossing a pistol at my feet.

I stared at the weapon in shock. Slowly, I picked it up, fury burning inside me.

“You’ll regret this, Alex. You gave me the chance to kill you.”

“Go on then, Grace. If you dare,” Alex taunted with a wicked smile.

This was my chance. My chance to end him. But if I killed him, could I live with the weight of becoming a murderer? And Alex wasn’t just anyone—he was a mafia boss. If I pulled the trigger, I’d be hunted for the rest of my life.

And even if I succeeded, the sound of the gunshot would alert his guards outside. I’d be captured before I could even escape.

Still, as I looked at Alex’s face—smug, cruel, enjoying my torment—rage blazed in my chest. Rage for everything he had done to strip me of my dignity.

“Do it, Grace! Shoot me!” he urged.

Bang!

The gun fired. The bullet struck him in the chest.

Alex staggered, blood trickling, his smirk fading. “So… you finally found your courage,” he whispered, his voice weak, before his eyes slid shut.

“Is he… dead?” My voice trembled as I crept closer.

His body lay still. No movement. My heart raced. The gunshot had been so loud—surely his men outside had heard it. If I stayed here, I would be caught. I had to run before they came for me.

“Die, you bastard,” I spat, kicking him, even spitting on his face—just as he once spat on mine. Finally, revenge.

But as I turned to flee, my leg froze. Something was holding me back. I looked down—and nearly screamed. A hand gripped my ankle tightly. My heart pounded wildly.

“Impressive, Grace…”

That voice—his voice—chilled me to the bone.

“No… It can’t be. Was that… Alex’s ghost?”

I stumbled back, horrified. He couldn’t still be alive. I shot him point-blank.

Yet, when I turned, there he was. Standing. Smiling. Very much alive.

“What’s wrong, Grace? Surprised?” Alex mocked, and I shook my head in disbelief.

“How… how are you alive, Alex?” My voice trembled.

“Of course I’m alive. I have many lives, my dear Grace. You nearly killed your husband—and that disappoints me.”

“This is impossible. I shot you. You should be dead!”

But Alex was no ghost. He was real. His eyes locked onto mine, sharp and merciless. Slowly, he began unbuttoning his shirt.

“What are you doing, Alex?” I stammered, terrified.

“What do you think?”

“I will never give you my body, Alex!”

He ignored my words, stepping closer. I retreated until I stumbled backward, falling onto his bed.

Yes, I was his wife. But I would never, ever willingly give myself to him.

He leaned over me, trapping me beneath his weight.

“What’s wrong, Grace? Curious why I didn’t die? Open your eyes—look!” He barked, ripping away my hands that shielded my face.

I froze in shock. Beneath his shirt was body armor. A bulletproof vest. That was why he had survived. He had faked his pain.

“You filthy liar…” I muttered, furious.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I told you before—I will never touch you. I don’t want a cheap woman like you,” Alex sneered, standing back up.

My face burned red with shame and anger. Then he tossed a paper onto the bed.

“Read it. Our marriage contract.”

“Marriage… contract?” I whispered, stunned.