Chapter 2 HER FAMILY COST ME MORE THAN JUST MONEY.

The word sounded like a sad joke.

The ink had barely dried before Andrew turned and walked away.

"Get ready," he said over his shoulder. "The wedding is in an hour."

Sarah's eyes widened but she didn't answer. Her hands were still on the table, and frozen. The room was cold. Her chest felt tighter than before. She didn't move until Richard returned, holding a white dress in a plastic bag.

"It's simple," he said. "No time for anything fancy."

She stared at it. It looked more like a uniform than a wedding dress. No lace. No warmth. Just fabric and silence.

She stood, and collected the dress, and walked into the bathroom. Her fingers were numb and wobbled as she unzipped it. She slipped it over her head. It fit too perfectly. Like it had been measured long before today.

There was No makeup,No flowers and No music. The only sound that was heard was only the sound of a clock ticking.

When she stepped out, Richard nodded.

"You look fine."

That was all he said before leading her out.

The courthouse was empty. The Cold marble floors. A bored clerk. Two witnesses she didn't know.

Andrew stood near the judge, dressed in a black suit. There was No smile and No glance. He just stood there like a controlled robot.

Sarah walked toward him like she was walking into a cell.

The ceremony was short. There was No vows made. It was Just names, documents, and signatures.

"Do you take Andrew Luthor as your lawful husband?"

She hesitated for half a second. Then nodded.

"Yes."

Andrew didn't even blink when it was his turn.

"I do," he said.

The judge nodded. "You may now sign."

Sarah picked up the pen again. Her hand trembled. She signed her name.

Andrew signed his.

"It's done," the judge said.

Sarah felt the air leave her lungs. She wasn't Sarah Blake anymore.

She was Mrs. Luthor.

Andrew turned to her. His voice cut like glass.

"Follow me."

They walked out together. There was No photos, there were no people to congratulate them and there was No kiss.

It was Just perfect silence.

A black car waited outside. The driver opened the door. Andrew stepped in and She followed. The door closed behind them.

He didn't look at her.

"This marriage means nothing," he said flatly. "Don't confuse it for love."

Sarah stared ahead.

"I never did."

"You're here to serve a purpose. To fix what your father broke."

She turned to him, her voice low.

"You think this is justice?"

"I think it's fair," he said. "You wanted to save your family name. I wanted control. We both got what we wanted."

"No," she whispered. "I wanted peace."

"You'll find none here," he said coldly.

They didn't speak again until the car stopped.

The building was tall. It was All glass and steel. His penthouse was at the very top.

The elevator ride was silent.

When the doors opened, she stepped into a space that looked like it belonged in a magazine. TheBlack walls,Silver edges and Nothing soft. There was No warmth.

"This is your new home," he said.

Sarah looked around. It felt more like a museum than a home.

"You'll stay in the guest room. Third door on the right."

She nodded. "Anything else?"

He walked toward the bar. Poured himself a drink.

"Yes. You follow my rules."

She turned to face him. "Which are?"

"You don't ask questions. You don't go through my things. You don't speak to the press. You appear beside me when I say. You smile when I tell you to."

"And if I don't?"

His eyes met hers. The gaze was Cold and Empty.

"Then I'll make sure your family loses more than just money."

Sarah swallowed hard. "Fine."

She turned and walked toward her room.

It was big. Too big. A large bed. White sheets. A window with a city view. She dropped her small bag on the bed and Sat down.

She didn't cry.

She wouldn't give him that.

Hours passed. She didn't hear him. She Didn't see him.

By night, she finally stood and opened the door. The penthouse was silent. Too silent.

She stepped into the hallway. She walked slowly, barefooted and careful.

She reached the staircase. She heard Voices.

She paused and Pressed her back to the wall and Listened.

"... you brought her here?" a woman's voice said. It was Sharp and Angry.

"She's my wife now," Andrew replied. His voice Calm and Cold.

Sarah held her breath.

"You married her?" the woman said. "That girl? After everything?"

"She serves her purpose," Andrew said.

"After what her family did to you?"

There was A long pause.

"They destroyed your deal. Your company. You lost everything."

"I know," Andrew said. His voice was harder now.

"You swore you'd never let them win," the woman snapped.

"I haven't," he said.

Sarah leaned closer, her heart beating fast.

"She's nothing to me," Andrew said. "Just a symbol. A pawn."

"And you think this fixes anything?" the woman asked.

"No," Andrew said. "But it's a start."

The woman sighed. "You haven't changed."

"I never said I would."

"You're still angry."

There was Another long pause.

Andrew's voice dropped lower and Sharper.

"Her family cost me more than just money... they destroyed everything I loved."

Sarah's hand went to her mouth. Her body froze.

She stayed hidden, the shadows swallowing her.

She didn't know what he meant.

She didn't know what her family had done. But now, she had to find out. And she had to survive long enough to do it.