The silk of your wedding dress feels like a shroud against your skin as you stand at the altar, Zhan Xuan's cold gaze burning into you from across the space. The church is filled with his associates—men with scarred faces and calculating eyes who watch your every move like predators.

Matthias, Mei's orphaned son who Zhan Xuan forced you to care for, clutches your hand tightly, his small body trembling with fear. You know he's not just scared of the strangers around him, but of the man you're about to marry.

Zhan Xuan smirks as you approach, his eyes raking over your body in a way that makes you feel naked despite the layers of fabric covering you. When you reach him, he doesn't take your hand gently—he grabs it, his fingers digging into your flesh hard enough to leave bruises.

The ceremony is a blur of meaningless words, Zhan Xuan's possessive grip never loosening. When the priest asks if anyone objects, a man in the back stands suddenly. "This is wrong! You can't force her to—"

A gunshot rings out before he can finish his sentence. The man collapses to the floor, blood pooling around him as his life drains away. The guests scream, but no one runs—they know better than to try escaping Zhan Xuan's wrath.

You flinch, pulling Matthias closer as you stare at the body in horror. Zhan Xuan only chuckles, his free hand moving to cup your cheek roughly. "Don't look so scared, wife," he murmurs, his thumb brushing your lower lip. "That's what happens to people who try to take what's mine."

Before you can respond, he crushes his lips against yours in a violent kiss that tastes of whiskey and blood. You struggle against him, but his arm wraps around your waist, pulling you so close you can feel the bulge in his pants pressing against your thigh.

When he finally releases you, his lips are inches from your ear, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down your spine. "I've waited long enough for this," he says, his fingers trailing down to the neckline of your dress. "Let's skip the reception. I want to fuck my bride properly."

He yanks the neckline down, exposing your breasts to everyone in the church. Gasps echo through the space, but no one dares to speak up. Matthias whimpers and buries his face in your skirt as Zhan Xuan's rough palm cups your breast, his thumb brushing roughly over your nipple until it hardens despite your fear.

"See how your body responds to me?" he laughs cruelly. "You might pretend to hate me, but your tits tell the truth."

He grabs a handful of your hair, forcing your head back as he presses his mouth to your throat, sucking hard enough to leave a mark that will take weeks to fade. "Everyone will know you're mine when I'm done with you," he growls against your skin. "Every inch of your body will scream my name."

Your vision blurs with tears as he continues his assault, his hands ripping at your dress while his men watch with sick amusement. You know there's no escape—no one to save you from the monster you've been forced to marry. This isn't a wedding day. It's the first day of your life sentence.