Bound by Lust

Esme barely slept that night. Kael's words replayed in her mind over and over again—Tomorrow, we're making this arrangement official. What did he mean? Were they truly going to be married? Was this a mere game to him, or did he have a deeper reason for claiming her?

Morning arrived too soon. The sun peeked through the thick curtains of her lavish room, but the warmth did nothing to ease the chill that settled in her bones. The reality of her situation was suffocating.

A knock on the door made her flinch.

"Come in," she called hesitantly.

Maria stepped inside, carrying a neatly pressed white dress. "Master Kael requested that you wear this today."

Esme's fingers curled into the silk sheets beneath her. Requested—more like ordered. "Where is he?"

"In his office," Maria replied. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Miss Esme, whatever happens today, please be careful."

Esme's heart clenched at the quiet warning in Maria's voice. What exactly was Kael planning?

After getting dressed, Esme was escorted downstairs. The mansion felt eerily silent, and with each step, her stomach twisted tighter with dread.

When she entered Kael's office, she found him standing by the window, his back to her, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The air between them was thick with tension.

"You're awake." His voice was calm, yet it carried an edge that sent shivers down her spine.

"Maria said you wanted to see me." Esme forced her voice to remain steady.

Kael turned to face her, setting his glass down on the desk. His gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering for a moment too long. "You look beautiful."

Esme crossed her arms. "Enough with the games, Kael. What do you mean by making this arrangement official?"

His lips curled into a smirk as he picked up a folder from his desk and held it out to her. "Sign it."

She hesitated before stepping forward and taking the folder. As she flipped it open, her breath hitched. A marriage contract.

Her eyes darted to him. "You can't be serious."

"I've never been more serious in my life," he replied smoothly. "You said you'd do anything to stay out of Roman Duke's hands. This is the safest way to ensure that."

Esme's grip on the document tightened. "Marriage? Just like that?"

Kael shrugged. "It's just a contract, Esme. A piece of paper. Nothing changes."

But everything would change. She knew that.

"Why?" she asked, searching his expression for answers.

Kael's jaw tensed. "You don't need to know that."

Her fingers trembled as she held the pen he placed in front of her. She felt like a bird willingly stepping into a gilded cage.

"Esme." Kael's voice softened, almost coaxing. "Sign it."

She stared at him, at the unreadable look in his dark eyes. Did she have a choice?

Taking a shaky breath, she lowered the pen and signed her name.

Kael picked up the contract, his smirk widening. "Good girl."

Esme's heart pounded in her chest. She had just sealed her fate.

****. ****. ****.