The black iron gates of the Lu Mansion opened slowly, making a heavy sound as if even the metal felt unwilling to welcome her.
Raina stood outside with a small suitcase in her hand.
This was her "real home."
White marble stairs. Crystal chandeliers visible through tall glass windows. A fountain shaped like a swan. Everything looked beautiful.
Everything felt cold.
She lowered her eyes slightly and stepped inside.
Her simple white dress brushed against the polished floor. Her long black hair fell softly over her shoulders, moving gently with the wind. Her skin was pale, her eyes clear and innocent, like she still believed the world was kind.
She didn't belong here.
Not in this golden cage.
At the entrance, the servants were lined up.
But none of them greeted her.
They looked at her the way people look at an outsider who stepped into a palace by mistake.
At the center of the living room stood a beautiful girl in a pink designer dress — elegant, confident, smiling sweetly.
The fake heiress.
Luna.
Beside her were Mr. and Mrs. Lu.
Her biological parents.
Raina felt her heart beat faster.
She had imagined this moment many times.
Maybe her mother would hug her.
Maybe her father would apologize.
Maybe someone would say, "You suffered."
Instead—
Mrs. Lu spoke first, her voice sharp.
"You're late."
Raina blinked.
"I… I'm sorry. The taxi—"
"You should learn basic etiquette now that you are back in the Lu family," Mr. Lu interrupted coldly. "Don't embarrass us."
Embarrass.
That word pierced deeper than she expected.
Luna walked forward gently and held Raina's hand.
"Sister, don't be nervous," she said sweetly. "Mom and Dad are just strict."
Her grip tightened slightly.
Warning.
Not comfort.
Raina forced a small smile.
"I understand."
Mrs. Lu sat down and looked at her carefully from head to toe.
"Change your clothes. You represent the Lu family now."
Raina looked down at her simple dress.
"It's clean…"
"It's cheap," Luna corrected softly.
Silence filled the room.
Raina felt heat rise in her eyes but she blinked it back.
She would not cry on her first day.
Then Mr. Lu spoke the real reason she was called back.
"Tomorrow, you will marry him."
Her fingers froze.
"Marry… who?"
Mrs. Lu's expression turned serious.
"Adrian Black."
The name alone made the air heavier.
Everyone knew him.
The cold, ruthless CEO of Black Corporation.
A man rumored to destroy families overnight.
A man no woman dared to approach.
A man who hated being touched.
It was said that once, a woman accidentally grabbed his arm at a banquet.
The next week—
Her family's company went bankrupt.
Raina swallowed.
"I… don't understand."
Luna's smile disappeared.
"It was supposed to be my marriage," Luna said softly, but her eyes were cold. "But he is dangerous. Unpredictable. If he gets angry… the Lu family could disappear."
Mrs. Lu stood up.
"You are the real heiress. It is your responsibility."
Responsibility.
Raina's nails dug into her palm.
"So you brought me back… to protect her?"
No one answered.
That silence was louder than any confession.
Mr. Lu's voice was final.
"You should be grateful. This marriage will give you status."
Grateful?
For being sent to a dangerous man like a shield?
Luna stepped closer and whispered near her ear:
"Don't worry, sister. If you behave well… maybe he won't destroy you."
The words felt like ice sliding into her heart.
For the first time, something inside her trembled.
Not fear.
Pain.
She had imagined being unwanted.
But she hadn't imagined being… replaceable.
"I don't want to marry him," she said softly.
The room exploded.
Mrs. Lu slammed her hand on the table.
"You don't have a choice!"
Mr. Lu's face darkened.
"Do you think we raised you? Fed you? Educated you? You owe us."
"I just came back today…" her voice shook slightly. "I haven't even—"
"Enough!" Mrs. Lu shouted.
Luna suddenly pretended to cry.
"Dad, Mom, don't force her… maybe I should marry him instead—"
"No!" both parents said immediately.
That one word shattered Raina completely.
So that was the truth.
She was never their daughter.
She was insurance.
She was sacrifice.
She was a shield.
The sound of glass breaking interrupted the silence.
Raina had accidentally knocked over a crystal vase while stepping back.
It shattered at her feet.
Mrs. Lu's face turned furious.
"You're already bringing bad luck!"
Raina looked at the broken pieces on the floor.
Her reflection was fragmented in the shards.
Just like her heart.
She bent down slowly to pick them up.
A sharp piece cut her finger.
Blood slid down quietly.
No one moved to help her.
Not even her mother.
Luna watched calmly.
Mr. Lu adjusted his coat.
"The wedding is tomorrow. Prepare yourself."
Raina stood up slowly.
Her finger still bleeding.
Her chest still hurting.
But her voice…
Was strangely calm.
"Fine."
Everyone froze.
She looked at them — one by one.
"I'll marry him."
If this family saw her as a shield…
Then she would walk into the fire herself.
But one thought echoed inside her heart as she turned toward the staircase.
If the man they feared so much…
Was truly that dangerous…
Then what would happen—
When he realizes he was given the wrong bride?
And would the monster they feared… become her destruction—
Or her only protection?