Rain poured heavily across the city that night. The cold wind slapped against Ariana Celeste Villareal's skin as she ran across the hospital entrance while desperately pushing her younger brother's wheelchair.

"Lucas! Stay awake! Please... just stay awake!" Her trembling voice broke between sobs.

Sixteen-year-old Lucas looked pale and weak. Sweat covered his forehead while one of his hands tightly clutched his chest.

"Ate..." he whispered weakly. "It hurts..."

Ariana's heart shattered instantly. "We're here already. You'll be okay. I promise."

But even she no longer believed those words. The moment they entered the emergency room, nurses immediately approached them.

"What happened?"

"He collapsed again," Ariana cried. "Please help my brother!"

The nurses quickly transferred Lucas onto a hospital bed while doctors surrounded him. Ariana stood outside the emergency room, shaking violently from fear and exhaustion. Her soaked clothes clung to her body, but she no longer cared. All she cared about was Lucas.

A few minutes later, a doctor walked toward her with a serious expression.

"Miss Villareal..."

Ariana immediately stood up. "How is he?"

The doctor sighed softly. "Your brother's condition is getting worse. He needs surgery as soon as possible."

Ariana felt her knees weaken. "S-Surgery...?"

"The estimated cost is around two million pesos."

Her world stopped. "T-Two million...?"

The doctor looked apologetic. "We already extended consideration during his previous confinement, but the hospital administration cannot continue treatment without a payment guarantee."

Ariana quickly grabbed the doctor's arm. "Please, doc... I'm begging you. Save my brother first. I'll find a way to pay. I'll do anything."

The doctor looked conflicted. "I'm sorry."

Those two words destroyed her completely. Ariana slowly fell to her knees.

"Please..." she cried helplessly. "He's the only family I have left..."

People around her began staring, but she no longer cared about embarrassment. Nothing mattered anymore. Not pride, not dignity, not herself. Only Lucas.

Meanwhile, on the VIP floor of the same hospital, Damien Alaric Monteverde stepped out of a private elevator while fixing the sleeves of his black suit.

Tall.

Cold.

Untouchable.

Every employee lowered their heads the moment they saw him. The Monteverde heir had arrived. Damien's sharp eyes remained emotionless as his assistant followed behind him.

"Mr. Monteverde," his assistant spoke carefully, "the chairman is already awake."

Damien nodded once. "How's his condition?"

"Stable for now."

Without another word, Damien continued walking down the hallway. But suddenly- A soft crying sound reached his ears. His footsteps stopped. His brows furrowed slightly. From a distance, he saw a young woman kneeling on the floor while begging a doctor. Her shoulders shook violently from crying.

"Please save him..."

Something inside Damien strangely tightened. He didn't know why. Then the woman slowly lifted her face. And for the first time in years- Damien froze. Because the woman looked painfully familiar. The same eyes. The same face. The same woman from the blurry memories he buried years ago. Impossible. His expression darkened instantly.

"Sir?" his assistant called softly.

But Damien ignored him. His gaze remained locked on Ariana.

Why does she look like her?

Before Damien could move, the doctor finally left Ariana alone in the hallway. Ariana covered her face while crying silently. Completely broken. Completely hopeless. Damien stared at her for several long seconds before finally turning away coldly.

"Let's go."

His assistant blinked in confusion but quickly followed him. Inside the VIP room, Damien found his grandfather sitting upright on the hospital bed. Despite his age, Valentino Monteverde still carried authority in his eyes.

"You finally came," the old man muttered.

Damien sat down across from him. "You scared everyone."

Valentino chuckled weakly. "I'm too stubborn to die."

Damien remained silent. The old man studied his grandson carefully before speaking again.

"There's something important we need to discuss."

Damien leaned back slightly. "What is it?"

Valentino's expression suddenly became serious.

"You need to get married."

Damien's face darkened immediately.

"No."

"Damien-"

"I said no."

Valentino sighed heavily. "You cannot spend your entire life alone because of what happened with Selene."

At the mention of that name, Damien's jaw tightened.

"Love is useless."

"That's exactly why I'm worried about you."

Damien stood up coldly. "If that's all, I'm leaving."

But Valentino suddenly spoke. "The girl downstairs is Ariana Villareal."

Damien stopped moving. His grandfather continued watching him carefully.

"She's the daughter of Antonio and Celeste Villareal."

Damien slowly turned around. "What?"

Valentino's expression softened. "Years ago, her parents saved this family."

Damien frowned deeply. "What are you talking about?"

The old man closed his eyes briefly as if remembering the past.

"Twenty years ago, the Monteverde Corporation nearly collapsed because of betrayal inside the company. Everyone abandoned us." He paused. "Except Antonio Villareal."

Damien remained silent.

"He sacrificed everything to protect this family. He even died because of it."

Damien's expression slowly darkened. "You never told me this."

"Because your father wanted the incident buried."

Valentino coughed weakly before continuing.

"But before Antonio died, I made him a promise."

Damien already disliked where the conversation was going.

"What promise?"

Valentino looked directly into his eyes.

"That I would protect his daughter no matter what happens."

Silence filled the room. Then Damien laughed coldly.

"So what does that have to do with me?"

"You're going to marry her."

Damien's face instantly turned emotionless.

"No."

"This is not a request."

"I don't care."

Valentino suddenly slammed his cane against the floor.

"For once in your life, stop thinking only about yourself!"

The room became heavy with tension. Damien stared at his grandfather coldly.

"You want me to marry some random woman because of a dead man's promise?"

"She's not random."

"She is to me."

Valentino sighed tiredly. "She needs help."

Damien's voice became colder. "And?"

"Her brother is dying."

Damien looked away with irritation.

"That's not my problem."

But deep inside him, something felt uncomfortable. Because despite his cold words. He still remembered Ariana crying on the hospital floor. Valentino noticed the slight hesitation in his grandson's eyes.

"You saw her downstairs, didn't you?"

Damien remained silent. The old man continued softly.

"She has no one left."

Damien clenched his jaw. He hated emotional manipulation. But Valentino delivered the final blow.

"If you refuse, then I'll transfer thirty percent of your shares to her directly."

Damien's eyes darkened dangerously.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Silence. Heavy. Tense. Finally, Damien exhaled sharply.

"What exactly do you want?"

Valentino relaxed slightly.

"Marry Ariana."

Damien laughed humorlessly. "You really think a poor woman would survive inside our family?"

"That depends on you."

Damien looked toward the window. Rain still poured endlessly outside.

Marriage.

The word disgusted him. Marriage only created betrayal.

Pain.

Weakness.

Selene already proved that years ago. Love ruined people. And Damien refused to become weak again. But if agreeing would end this conversation faster. Then fine. He slowly faced his grandfather again.

"One year."

Valentino frowned slightly. "What?"

"I'll marry her for one year."

The old man immediately understood.

"A contract marriage?"

Damien's expression remained unreadable.

"She needs money. I need this issue settled."

"That's cruel."

Damien smirked coldly. "Then find another groom."

Valentino sighed in defeat. At least Damien agreed.

"That's enough."

Meanwhile, downstairs, Ariana sat quietly outside Lucas' room while staring blankly at the floor. She looked exhausted. Defeated. Her phone suddenly rang. It was the landlord. Ariana quickly answered.

"H-Hello?"

"When are you paying your rent?" the woman snapped immediately. "You're already two months late!"

"I'm sorry po... I just need more time."

"I've heard that excuse already!"

"Please..."

"If you can't pay by next week, get out."

The call ended instantly. Ariana slowly lowered her phone. Then she covered her mouth to stop herself from crying again. Everything was falling apart. Lucas' hospital bills. Their apartment. Her jobs. Their future. She no longer knew what to do. At that exact moment, expensive black shoes stopped in front of her. Ariana slowly looked up. And her breath caught instantly. The man standing before her looked unreal.

Tall.

Handsome.

Dangerously cold.

His expensive suit alone probably cost more than her yearly salary. Damien Monteverde looked down at her emotionlessly. Ariana immediately stood up awkwardly.

"S-Sorry..."

She thought she was blocking the hallway. But Damien remained standing there. His sharp eyes examined her carefully.

"You're Ariana Villareal."

It wasn't a question.

Ariana blinked nervously. "Yes..."

Damien inserted one hand inside his pocket. "Your brother needs surgery."

Her face paled. "How do you know that?"

"I can pay for it."

Ariana froze completely. "What...?"

Damien's expression remained calm.

"I can pay all his medical expenses."

For a second, Ariana thought she heard him wrong. Hope suddenly appeared in her eyes. But then reality hit her again. Nobody helps for free.

"What do you want in return?"

Damien stared directly into her eyes. "Marriage."

The world stopped. Ariana's face turned completely pale.

"M-Marriage?"

"A contract marriage," Damien corrected coldly.

Ariana looked at him like he was insane.

"I don't even know you."

"You don't need to."

"I'm not selling myself!"

Damien's expression didn't change. "Then your brother dies."

Ariana felt like she had been slapped. Her eyes slowly filled with tears again.

"How can you say that so casually?"

"Because emotions don't change reality."

Every word felt cold and merciless. Ariana clenched her fists.

"You're horrible."

"I've been called worse."

She looked away angrily. "I won't marry someone like you."

Damien nodded once. "Then refuse."

He turned around as if the conversation meant nothing. But after taking several steps away, he stopped. Without facing her, he spoke again.

"One year." Ariana remained silent. "You act as my wife for one year, and I'll pay for everything your brother needs." Her chest tightened painfully. "One year later, we divorce quietly."

Ariana's tears finally fell. Because deep inside... She knew she was running out of choices. Damien finally looked back at her. His voice remained calm.

"Think carefully, Ariana." Then he handed her a business card. "If you accept, call me before sunrise."

After that, he walked away without another word. Leaving Ariana completely shattered. She stared at the card trembling in her hands.

Damien Alaric Monteverde. CEO of Monteverde Corporation. The name alone screamed power. Danger. And destruction.

Ariana slowly looked through the glass window of Lucas' hospital room. Her younger brother slept weakly on the bed. Machines surrounded him. Fragile and fading. Ariana broke down crying silently. Because for the first time in her life... She was about to sacrifice herself just to save the only person she loved.

Ariana did not sleep that night. She remained seated outside Lucas' hospital room while tightly holding Damien Monteverde's business card in her trembling hands. Every second felt heavy.

Painful.

Suffocating.

Marriage.

The word kept repeating inside her mind like a curse. She had dreamed about love before. A simple life. A small home. A husband who genuinely loved her. But reality destroyed those dreams long ago. Now, she was being asked to marry a man who looked at her like a business transaction. A stranger, a cold-hearted billionaire. And worst of all- a man she already hated.

Ariana wiped her tears weakly before glancing at Lucas through the glass window again. The sound of the heart monitor echoed softly inside the quiet hallway. Her chest tightened painfully. If she refused Damien... Lucas could die. That thought alone was enough to destroy her. Around three in the morning, Lucas slowly woke up.

"Ate..."

Ariana quickly entered the room.

"Hey." She forced a smile. "How are you feeling?"

Lucas gave her a weak grin. "I'm still alive."

"Don't joke like that."

"But it's true."

Ariana sat beside him and carefully fixed his blanket. Lucas studied her face quietly.

"You were crying again."

She quickly looked away. "No, I wasn't."

"You can't lie to me."

Ariana bit her lower lip.

Lucas sighed softly. "I'm sorry."

Her brows furrowed immediately.

"For what?"

"For being a burden."

Ariana's eyes widened. "Lucas-"

"If I wasn't sick, you wouldn't have to suffer like this."

"Stop it."

"You work so hard because of me."

"Lucas."

"But you're always tired-"

"I said stop!" The sudden sharpness in her voice silenced him.

Ariana immediately regretted it. She grabbed his hand tightly.

"You are not a burden," she whispered shakily. "Never say that again."

Lucas stared at her silently. Tears slowly filled Ariana's eyes.

"You're the only family I have left."

Lucas smiled weakly. "And you're my favorite annoying sister."

A small laugh escaped her despite the pain in her chest. For several seconds, silence filled the room again. Then Lucas spoke softly.

"What if... something happens to me someday?"

Ariana instantly shook her head. "Nothing will happen to you."

"But what if?"

"Lucas-"

"Ate." He looked at her seriously. "Promise me you'll finally live for yourself too."

Her heart broke completely. Because she knew... If she accepted Damien's proposal, she would no longer be living for herself. Before sunrise arrived, Ariana finally made her decision. With trembling fingers, she dialed the number written on Damien's card. The call connected almost immediately.

"Yes." Even his voice sounded cold. Ariana swallowed hard. "...I'll do it."

A long silence echo in the whole room. Then Damien finally responded.

"Good."

No happiness.

No relief.

Nothing.

Just cold satisfaction. Ariana suddenly felt humiliated. Like she had sold her dignity. Damien spoke again.

"My assistant will prepare everything."

"T-This is only for Lucas," Ariana whispered weakly.

"I know."

Those two words hurt more than they should. The call ended shortly after. Ariana slowly lowered her phone while staring blankly ahead. This was it. Her life would never be the same again.

Three days later- The wedding happened quietly inside a private chapel owned by the Monteverde family.

No grand decorations.

No smiling guests.

No romance.

It looked more like a business meeting than a wedding. Ariana stood near the altar wearing a simple white dress provided by Damien's assistant. The fabric was beautiful. Elegant and expensive. But she felt nothing while wearing it. No excitement, no happiness. Only fear.

Meanwhile, Damien stood several feet away from her in a black suit. He looked handsome enough to make anyone stare. But his expression remained unreadable. Cold, distant and untouchable. Ariana realized something painful at that moment. She was marrying a man who didn't want her. The ceremony began shortly after. The priest smiled warmly.

"Marriage is a sacred union between two souls-"

Damien looked completely uninterested. Ariana lowered her gaze quietly. The vows sounded empty. Like meaningless words floating inside the air. When it was finally time for the rings, Damien slid the diamond ring onto Ariana's finger without emotion. No smile, no tenderness. Nothing. Ariana's chest tightened painfully. The priest smiled again.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Damien froze slightly. For the first time, irritation flashed across his face. The room became awkwardly silent. Ariana immediately spoke softly.

"It's okay. We can skip it."

But the priest chuckled nervously. "It's tradition."

Damien stared at Ariana for several long seconds. Then slowly- He stepped closer. Ariana's breath hitched instantly. Damien gently lifted her chin. His touch felt surprisingly warm compared to his cold personality. Their eyes met briefly. Then Damien leaned down and kissed her lightly. Soft and quick. But enough to make Ariana's heart tremble unexpectedly. When he pulled away, Damien immediately stepped back as if nothing happened.

The ceremony ended shortly after. Just like that- Ariana Villareal officially became Mrs. Monteverde. But instead of happiness... She only felt trapped. Outside the chapel, Damien's assistant handed Ariana several shopping bags and documents.

"The prenuptial agreement, ma'am."

Ariana looked confused. "Agreement?"

Damien answered calmly. "Read it later."

Her chest tightened. Of course. Even their marriage came with rules. Damien glanced at his watch.

"We're leaving."

Ariana looked back at the chapel one last time. She didn't know why. But she suddenly felt like crying. The Monteverde mansion looked like something from a movie. Huge chandeliers. Luxury cars. Massive staircases. Everything screamed wealth and power. Ariana felt completely out of place the moment she stepped inside. Several maids lined up near the entrance.

"Welcome home, Sir Damien."

Their eyes immediately landed on Ariana afterward. They are curious and she felt judge. They are whispering silently among themselves. Ariana awkwardly tightened her grip on her small bag. Then another voice echoed across the mansion.

"So this is the woman grandfather forced you to marry?"

Ariana slowly looked up. A beautiful woman wearing a red designer dress stood near the staircase with crossed arms. Her sharp eyes scanned Ariana from head to toe mockingly.

Damien sighed softly. "Vanessa."

Vanessa Monteverde. Damien's younger sister. Unlike Damien, Vanessa openly showed her disgust.

"Oh my God." Vanessa laughed lightly. "She looks poorer than I expected."

Ariana felt embarrassed instantly. Damien's expression remained emotionless.

"Enough."

Vanessa walked closer toward Ariana while smirking. "What's your talent?"

Ariana blinked. "What?"

"Poor girls who marry rich men usually have talents, right? Crying? Manipulating? Pretending to be innocent?"

Ariana's cheeks burned from humiliation. "I'm not like that."

Vanessa laughed again. "That's what they all say."

"Vanessa," Damien warned coldly.

But Vanessa simply shrugged. "Fine."

She leaned closer toward Ariana and whispered: "Don't get too comfortable here. You'll never belong in this family."

Then she walked away gracefully. Ariana stood frozen.

Damien looked at her briefly. "Ignore her."

"How?"

"She insults everyone."

"That doesn't make it better."

Damien remained silent. Ariana suddenly realized something. This mansion would never become home.

Later that evening, Ariana was guided toward Damien's bedroom. The room itself was larger than their old apartment. Everything looked dark and expensive. Minimalist and cold. Just like Damien. Ariana stood awkwardly near the door. Damien loosened his necktie while walking toward the couch.

"You can use the left side of the closet."

Ariana nodded quietly.

"And tomorrow, someone will teach you proper etiquette for public events."

Her brows furrowed slightly. "Etiquette?"

"You represent the Monteverde name now."

Ariana suddenly felt pressure tightening around her chest. "I don't know how to be someone like you."

"You don't need to."

"Then what do you expect from me?"

Damien finally looked directly at her. "Obedience."

The word hit her painfully.

Ariana looked away. "You really treat this like a business contract."

"Because it is."

She clenched her fists silently. Then Damien walked toward a drawer and handed her another document.

"These are the rules."

Ariana stared at him in disbelief. "Rules?"

"You'll attend events when necessary. Avoid scandals. Don't interfere with my work."

Her chest tightened more with every word. "And?"

Damien's gaze became colder. "Don't fall in love with me."

Silence filled the room instantly. Ariana felt strangely hurt. Not because she loved him but because of how coldly he said it. As if loving him would be disgusting.

Damien continued calmly. "This arrangement works better without emotions."

Ariana forced herself to nod. "Fine."

Damien studied her face carefully for several seconds. For some reason, her quiet sadness made him uncomfortable.

He looked away first. "You can sleep on the bed. I'll use the couch."

Ariana blinked slightly. "You don't have to."

"I know."

Then he sat down and opened his laptop, clearly ending the conversation. Ariana slowly walked toward the bed. Everything felt unreal. Three days ago, she was begging doctors to save her brother. Now she was inside a billionaire's mansion married to the coldest man she had ever met. She carefully sat down while staring at the massive room. Then her phone suddenly vibrated. It was the hospital.

Ariana answered immediately. "H-Hello?"

"Miss Villareal, your brother's surgery preparation has already started."

Tears instantly filled her eyes. "R-Really?"

"Yes. The payment has been settled."

Ariana covered her mouth shakily. Relief crashed into her all at once. Lucas would live. For the first time in days, she could finally breathe again.

"Thank you..." she whispered emotionally.

After the call ended, Ariana lowered her head while crying silently. Across the room, Damien noticed her trembling shoulders. His fingers paused above his keyboard.

"Something wrong?"

Ariana quickly wiped her tears. "No."

But Damien already heard enough. "Your brother?"

She nodded weakly. "The hospital called. His surgery is starting."

Damien simply nodded once. "That's good."

Ariana looked at him quietly. "You really paid everything."

"I said I would."

"Why?"

Damien frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You barely know me."

A long silence. Even Damien himself didn't fully know the answer. Maybe because of his grandfather. Maybe because of guilt. Or maybe because every time he looked at Ariana. Something about her felt painfully familiar.

Damien closed his laptop calmly. "Get some rest."

Ariana stared at him for a moment longer before nodding softly. But that night- neither of them slept peacefully. Because despite living under the same roof. They were two strangers trapped inside a marriage without love.

Morning sunlight slowly entered through the massive glass windows of Damien's bedroom. Ariana woke up feeling disoriented. For several seconds, she stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling before reality came crashing back. She was married. Married to Damien Monteverde. Her chest tightened instantly.nShe slowly sat up and looked around the room. The couch was already empty.

Damien was gone.

Ariana glanced at the clock beside the bed. Seven in the morning. A soft knock suddenly echoed from the door.

Before she could answer, a maid entered respectfully. "Good morning, ma'am."

Ariana immediately stood awkwardly. "G-Good morning."

"The young master already left for work. Madam Vanessa instructed us to prepare you for breakfast downstairs."

Ariana nodded quietly. The maid smiled politely, though Ariana still noticed the curiosity in her eyes. Everyone inside this mansion was probably wondering the same thing.

Why did Damien Monteverde marry someone like her?

Thirty minutes later, Ariana carefully walked downstairs wearing a simple cream-colored dress chosen by the stylists earlier. Even the dress felt expensive. Everything here reminded her that she did not belong. The moment she entered the dining room, conversations stopped. Ariana instantly felt nervous.

Several members of the Monteverde family sat around the long dining table. Most of them stared at her openly. Judging, measuring and a mocking silently.

Vanessa Monteverde casually sipped her coffee before smirking. "Well, look who finally decided to appear."

Ariana forced a polite smile. "Good morning."

Nobody greeted her back except an elderly man seated at the end of the table.

"Come here, hija."

Ariana immediately recognized Valentino Monteverde. Unlike everyone else, warmth filled his eyes.

She slowly approached him. "How are you feeling, sir?"

Valentino chuckled softly. "You're already family. Stop calling me sir."

Ariana smiled faintly. Before she could respond, another woman suddenly spoke coldly.

"She doesn't look like family to me."

Ariana slowly looked toward the speaker. An elegant woman wearing pearl earrings stared at her with obvious dislike.

"Mother," Vanessa muttered lazily.

Cassandra Monteverde. Damien's mother.

And based on her expression alone, Ariana already knew she hated her.

Cassandra placed down her cup gracefully. "So you're the girl who trapped my son."

Ariana's face paled. "I-I didn't trap anyone."

Vanessa laughed lightly. "That's what poor girls always say."

Valentino frowned immediately. "That's enough."

But Cassandra ignored him. "How much did you ask from Damien?"

Ariana clenched her hands beneath the table. "I didn't marry him for money."

This time, Cassandra laughed softly. "That's even funnier."

Ariana felt humiliated again. The servants nearby were silently listening. Every word felt like tiny knives stabbing her dignity. Then footsteps echoed from behind. Everyone became silent instantly. Damien had arrived. He walked into the dining room while fixing the sleeves of his black suit. His sharp eyes immediately landed on Ariana. She looked uncomfortable. And for some reason, Damien disliked seeing it.

"What's going on?" he asked coldly.

Vanessa leaned back casually. "We're just getting to know your wife."

Damien glanced at Ariana again. She avoided his eyes.

Cassandra sighed dramatically. "Damien, this arrangement has already embarrassed our family enough. At least teach your wife proper behavior."

Damien's expression remained unreadable. "She's fine."

Vanessa nearly choked on her coffee. "Excuse me?"

Damien calmly pulled a chair beside Ariana and sat down.

"I said she's fine."

The room became awkwardly silent. Ariana herself looked shocked. Was he... defending her?

Cassandra frowned deeply. "You're taking her side now?"

"I'm avoiding unnecessary drama before work."

Damien said that coldly yet somehow, Ariana still felt relieved.

Breakfast continued in uncomfortable silence afterward. Ariana barely touched her food. Meanwhile, Damien calmly drank his coffee while reading documents on his tablet. Completely unaffected. Like the earlier humiliation never happened.

After breakfast, Damien suddenly stood up. "You're coming with me."

Ariana blinked. "What?"

"We have a public appearance this afternoon."

"I-I don't know anything about those things."

"You'll learn."

Before she could protest, Damien already walked away. Ariana hurriedly followed him. Inside the car, silence filled the air. The luxury vehicle itself made Ariana nervous. Everything around Damien screamed wealth and power. She quietly stared outside the window while clutching her bag tightly.

Then Damien suddenly spoke. "My mother dislikes outsiders."

Ariana gave a bitter laugh. "I noticed."

"She'll eventually calm down."

"Does everyone in your family hate poor people?"

Damien glanced at her briefly. "Most rich families do."

Ariana looked at him in disbelief. "You're admitting that so casually?"

"It's reality."

She looked away again. "That doesn't make it right."

Damien studied her side profile silently. Unlike the women he usually encountered, Ariana never tried to impress him. She didn't flirt. Didn't act spoiled. Didn't pretend. She simply looked... exhausted. The thought strangely bothered him. Meanwhile, Ariana was trying hard not to cry again. Everything felt overwhelming. She missed their tiny apartment. She missed normal life. Even if life was hard before, at least she still had freedom. Now she felt trapped inside a golden cage.

A few hours later, they arrived at a luxury hotel hosting a business charity event. The moment Damien stepped out of the car, cameras immediately flashed everywhere.

"Mr. Monteverde!"

"Sir Damien!"

"Look over here!"

Ariana froze from shock. She had never experienced anything like this before. Damien noticed her hesitation. Without warning, he gently held her waist. Ariana's eyes widened instantly.

"Walk," he murmured quietly.

Her heart suddenly beat faster. Not because of romance but because everyone was staring at them. The reporters immediately became excited.

"Is that his new wife?"

"They actually got married?"

"She's beautiful..."

Ariana felt even more nervous.

Inside the ballroom, wealthy guests surrounded them instantly. Most people greeted Damien respectfully. But when they looked at Ariana- Their expressions changed. Curiosity, judgment and with disapproval.

Damien introduced her mechanically. "My wife, Ariana."

Nothing more, no affection and no warmth. Just formality. Ariana forced polite smiles throughout the event despite feeling completely out of place. Women in expensive gowns whispered while staring at her.

"She's the new Mrs. Monteverde?"

"She looks ordinary."

"I heard she came from poverty."

"Probably another gold digger."

Ariana pretended not to hear anything. But every whisper still hurt. Then suddenly- A glamorous woman entered the ballroom. And immediately, the atmosphere changed. People started whispering excitedly.

"She's back."

"Oh my God... Selene Cortez."

Ariana frowned slightly. The woman walking toward them looked stunning. With confident, elegant and dangerous. But what caught Ariana's attention the most- was Damien's sudden expression.

For the first time since meeting him. She saw emotion in his eyes. Cold anger. Selene smiled beautifully the moment she stopped in front of Damien.

"Hello, Damien."

Silence filled the air between them. Tense and heavy. Then Selene's eyes slowly landed on Ariana. Her smile instantly became mocking.

"So this is the wife."

Ariana felt uncomfortable immediately.

Damien's voice turned colder. "What are you doing here?"

Selene shrugged casually. "I returned yesterday. Didn't you miss me?"

"No." The answer came instantly.

But strangely, Ariana noticed something else beneath Damien's coldness. Pain. Selene laughed softly before extending her hand toward Ariana.

"I'm Selene. Damien's ex."

Ariana hesitated briefly before shaking her hand politely. "Nice to meet you."

Selene's smile deepened. "Oh, sweetheart... I'm not sure you'll keep saying that later."

Ariana froze slightly. Before she could respond, Selene suddenly looked at Damien again.

"You replaced me quickly."

"You left," Damien answered emotionlessly.

Selene tilted her head slightly. "And yet you still look miserable."

The tension between them became suffocating. Ariana suddenly felt like an outsider witnessing something personal. Something unresolved. Selene looked back at Ariana mockingly.

"Tell me," she said sweetly, "did he already warn you?"

Ariana frowned. "Warn me about what?"

Selene smiled coldly. "That Damien Monteverde destroys every woman who loves him."

The words hit harder than Ariana expected. Damien's jaw tightened dangerously.

"Leave."

Selene chuckled softly. "Still sensitive, I see."

Then she leaned closer toward Ariana and whispered. "Be careful. Men like Damien don't know how to love."

After that, Selene walked away gracefully. Leaving behind a heavy silence. Ariana slowly looked at Damien. His expression had become terrifyingly cold.

"Who is she really?" Ariana asked carefully.

Damien looked away. "Nobody important."

"That didn't look like 'nobody.'"

A long silence again. Then Damien suddenly spoke coldly.

"Don't ask about my past."

Ariana felt slightly offended. "I was just asking."

"And I answered."

His coldness returned instantly. Like walls slamming shut again. The rest of the event became uncomfortable afterward. Damien remained distant and irritated the entire time. Meanwhile, Ariana couldn't stop thinking about Selene's words. Men like Damien don't know how to love. For some reason... That sentence stayed inside her mind.

Late that evening, they finally returned to the mansion. The moment Ariana entered the bedroom, exhaustion crashed into her. She removed her heels painfully.

"My feet are dying," she muttered quietly.

Unexpectedly, Damien gave a faint amused look. "You complain a lot."

Ariana stared at him. "Try wearing heels for seven hours."

"I'd rather not."

She rolled her eyes slightly before sitting on the edge of the bed. For the first time since meeting him, the atmosphere between them felt... lighter. But it disappeared quickly when Ariana asked softly:

"Did you love her?"

Damien immediately became expressionless again. He become silence. Ariana regretted asking instantly.

"You don't have to answer."

Damien slowly loosened his tie. "She betrayed me."

His voice sounded cold. and empty.

Ariana looked at him quietly. "She cheated?"

"Something worse."

Ariana didn't ask further. Because the look in Damien's eyes already told her enough.

Pain.

Anger.

Hatred.

Whatever Selene did... It destroyed him completely. Damien walked toward the window while staring outside into the dark city.

"Love makes people stupid," he muttered coldly.

Ariana hugged her knees quietly. "Not always."

Damien looked back at her. "Have you ever been in love?"

Ariana smiled sadly. "No time."

For a moment, silence filled the room again.

Then Damien unexpectedly asked. "Do you regret marrying me?"

Ariana froze slightly. The question sounded strangely genuine. She looked down at her hands before answering honestly.

"I regret the reason why I had to."

Damien stared at her quietly. And somehow- that answer affected him more than it should have.