Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sereia sat quietly in the grand Solkov mansion, Andrei family had decided the engagement day that that was tonight so they visited Solkov manor, her golden hair glowing beneath the chandelier’s light, her blue doe eyes lowered as she listened to her grandparents speak warmly with Andrei’s parents. The shimmering gown she wore only made her look more fragile, more doll-like — and though she smiled politely, the truth was different.

Her hands fidgeted in her lap. She hadn’t eaten well these past days. She hadn’t spoken much either. The engagement weighed heavily on her, and though her grandmother had tried to comfort her, her grandfather dismissed it as nerves.

Andrei, however, was never far. His cold, black gaze never strayed from her, no matter where she went. Even now, dressed sharply in a dark tailored suit that made his shoulders look broad and unyielding, he stood close — too close. The sharpness of his jaw, the darkness of his hair, and the danger in his silence made her chest tighten. He looked carved from stone, a shadow looming just for her.

When her grandparents excused themselves to speak privately with the Solkov elders, Sereia was left alone for the first time that evening.

That was when Viktoria came.

She was striking — tall, raven-haired, with eyes that gleamed with mischief. She walked slowly around Sereia, a cruel smile curving her painted lips.

“So you’re the one he’s marrying,” Viktoria said, her tone sweet but edged with steel. “You don’t look like much. Soft, delicate… breakable. I wonder how long you’ll last before you regret this.”

Sereia’s heart skipped, her lashes fluttering. “Why would you say that?” she whispered, voice trembling.

Viktoria leaned closer, her breath brushing Sereia’s ear. “Because Andrei isn’t a man you can control. He isn’t someone you can seduce with your beauty. My poor sister-in-law.”

Sereia’s throat tightened, words failing her. She wanted to defend herself, but she was too soft, too gentle to spit venom back. Her silence made Viktoria smirk.

Then Andrei’s presence descended like ice.

He appeared without a word, tall and terrifying, his eyes as black as obsidian. Viktoria’s smirk faltered immediately, and like a snake shedding skin, she switched tones. Her lips curved into an innocent smile as she cooed, “Andrei, we were just talking about how lucky you're!. She’s so beautiful — a perfect bride for you.”

Sereia’s wide eyes flickered to him, but his gaze stayed cold, fixed on Viktoria long enough to make her falter. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he sent her scurrying away.

When the cousin vanished, Sereia let out a small shaky breath. But before she could move, Andrei’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.

She gasped softly, lifting her eyes to his face. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable — yet there was fire burning in his gaze.

“Enough,” he said in a low, dangerous tone. “At dinner, you will smile. You will speak when spoken to. You will not cry, and you will not shame me. Do you understand?”

Sereia’s lips parted in shock, her blue eyes glistening. She opened her mouth to protest, but his grip only tightened, possessive and unyielding.

“Behave, Sereia,” he murmured, voice icy but threaded with something darker — obsession, hunger. “You’re mine now. Act like it."

Sereia shook her head, blue eyes wet. “No—I won’t. You can’t decide my life! I have dreams, Andrei—”

Her words cut off with a small cry when his grip on her wrist tightened cruelly, the pressure sharp enough to make her wince.

“Don’t speak to me like that,” he said, voice cold as iron. “You don’t argue. You obey.”

“Andrei, please—” she whispered, trembling.

He leaned close, black eyes burning. “No. You’ll learn. You belong to me now.”

Without giving her a chance to resist, Andrei yanked her forward and dragged her toward the living room. His stride was steady, commanding, his hold on her wrist unrelenting. Sereia stumbled after him, her heart pounding, realizing with every step that no matter how much she cried, he wouldn’t let her go.

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