The next morning, the rain had stopped.
Vanessa Rivera woke up with the heavy feeling that everything that happened the night before had been a nightmare.
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
She sat up in her apartment, staring at the ceiling.
A detective.
A police officer.
A woman who had dedicated her life to putting criminals behind bars.
And now…
She was about to marry the most powerful criminal in the city.
Vanessa rubbed her temples.
"This is insane," she muttered.
Her phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Unknown number.
She answered it.
"Detective Rivera."
A calm voice replied.
"Good morning, Vanessa."
Her spine stiffened.
"Gale."
"You recognized my voice already."
"Unfortunately."
Gale chuckled softly.
"You sound unhappy."
"You framed me into a political marriage."
"Correction."
His voice remained calm.
"The government framed you."
Vanessa swung her legs off the bed.
"What do you want?"
"Your presence."
"Where?"
"My house."
"No."
"That's not optional."
Vanessa clenched her jaw.
"You don't get to order me around."
"Actually, I do."
She could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
"The wedding contract is being finalized today."
Vanessa froze.
"Today?"
"Yes."
"You're joking."
"I never joke about business."
Her silence stretched.
Then Gale added calmly,
"A car will arrive in twenty minutes."
"I'm not getting in it."
"You will."
"And if I don't?"
A pause.
Then Gale spoke again.
"Your brother's surgery is scheduled for next week, isn't it?"
Vanessa's hand tightened around the phone.
"You're a bastard."
"Yes."
The line went dead.
Vanessa stared at the phone for several seconds.
Then she threw the blanket aside and stood up.
"Fine," she muttered.
"If this is a war…"
She headed toward the bathroom.
"…then let's start it."
—
Twenty-five minutes later, Vanessa stepped outside her apartment building.
A black car waited by the curb.
Of course it did.
Two men in suits stood beside it.
One of them opened the door politely.
"Miss Rivera."
Vanessa didn't respond.
She slid into the back seat.
The door closed.
The car began moving immediately.
The city passed outside the windows in blurred lines.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Where are we going?"
The driver spoke calmly.
"De Luca estate."
She frowned.
"Estate?"
The man in the passenger seat glanced back slightly.
"You'll see."
—
Forty minutes later, Vanessa understood.
The car passed through massive iron gates.
Beyond them stood a sprawling mansion surrounded by tall trees and guarded walls.
Vanessa stared at it.
"This is a house?"
The driver answered simply.
"Yes."
It looked more like a private palace.
The car stopped at the front entrance.
Before Vanessa could open the door, it was already being opened for her.
She stepped out.
The air smelled like expensive flowers and polished stone.
Two guards stood near the entrance.
They nodded respectfully.
"Mrs. De Luca."
Vanessa stopped walking.
"Don't call me that."
The guards immediately looked uncomfortable.
Inside the mansion, the floor was white marble.
The ceilings stretched impossibly high.
Large windows flooded the hall with light.
And standing at the far end of the room…
Was Gale.
He leaned casually against a table, wearing a dark suit.
Completely composed.
Like he owned the entire world.
Vanessa walked toward him.
"You live like a king."
Gale tilted his head slightly.
"People like symbols."
"And you're the symbol of crime."
"Power," he corrected.
Vanessa stopped in front of him.
"I didn't come here to admire your house."
"Good."
Gale gestured toward the table.
Documents rested there.
"Sit."
Vanessa remained standing.
"What is it?"
"The marriage contract."
Her stomach twisted.
Gale opened the folder and slid it toward her.
"Standard agreement."
She scanned the pages quickly.
One year.
Shared residence.
Public appearances.
Confidentiality clauses.
Vanessa scoffed.
"This is ridiculous."
"It's legal."
"You're forcing me to live here."
"Yes."
"Under your control."
"Yes."
Vanessa looked up sharply.
"You're enjoying this."
Gale didn't deny it.
"You're interesting."
"I'm not your entertainment."
"You are now."
Her eyes flashed.
"Don't get comfortable."
Gale leaned slightly closer.
"Why?"
"Because I'm still a detective."
"And I'm still a criminal."
Vanessa tapped the contract.
"You expect me to trust you?"
"No."
"Good."
Gale smiled faintly.
"Because I don't trust you either."
Vanessa picked up the pen.
"Let's make something clear."
Gale watched her carefully.
"This marriage isn't real."
"Of course not."
"I won't obey you."
"I don't expect obedience."
"I won't protect you."
"You already tried to arrest me."
Vanessa signed the paper.
Her name looked strange on the contract.
Vanessa Rivera.
Future spouse of Gale De Luca.
She slid the document back toward him.
"Your turn."
Gale picked up the pen.
His signature was quick.
Confident.
Permanent.
He closed the folder.
"Congratulations."
Vanessa stared at him coldly.
"Don't push it."
Gale studied her for a moment.
Then he stepped closer.
Too close.
Vanessa didn't move.
She refused to step back.
"You should understand something," Gale said quietly.
"What?"
"You think you're entering my world to destroy me."
"That's exactly what I'm doing."
Gale's eyes darkened slightly.
"But this world…"
He glanced toward the windows overlooking the city.
"…doesn't play by police rules."
Vanessa lifted her chin.
"Good."
Gale raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
She met his gaze without hesitation.
"Because neither do I."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Gale smiled.
Not politely.
Not kindly.
Dangerously.
"Well then," he said softly.
"Mrs. De Luca."
Vanessa clenched her jaw.
"I told you not to call me that."
Gale turned toward the hallway.
"You should get used to it."
She followed him.
"Where are you going?"
"To prepare for tonight."
"What happens tonight?"
Gale stopped walking.
He looked back at her.
His expression calm.
"Your wedding."