The morning sun reflected off the Blackwood mansion's glass walls, but Talia hardly noticed.

Her hands still shook as she stared at her phone. The article had gone viral. Hundreds of messages. Hundreds of notifications. And countless judgmental eyes online dissecting her life.

"Mrs. Blackwood," Grace whispered nervously, appearing at her side. "I've spoken with the PR team. They're handling the situation, but..." She paused. "...Mr. Blackwood insists on speaking to you immediately."

Talia's stomach twisted. She wanted to hide, to disappear. But there was nowhere to run. Not in this mansion. Not in this marriage.

Adrian found her in the garden again, his suit jacket thrown over his arm, the morning breeze ruffling his perfectly styled hair.

He didn't smile. Not even a hint. Just those dark eyes fixed on her.

"Step aside," he said quietly.

Confused, Talia looked at him.

He gestured for her to follow him into the study. Once the door clicked shut, he turned sharply.

"Do you have any idea what this could do to me?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Talia blinked. "I... I didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't me who leaked-"

"It doesn't matter who leaked it!" Adrian's hand slammed onto the desk, making the papers jump. "You're my wife, temporary or not. And as long as you're in this house, in this world... I don't allow anyone to hurt you."

Talia froze. His words hit harder than she expected.

"You... you can't control everything!" she whispered, almost shaking.

"I don't intend to," he said calmly, stepping closer. "But I will control what matters most."

Her heart skipped. His presence was overwhelming. Every inch of him radiated power. Possession. Danger. And, somehow... care.

Over the next few days, the mansion was buzzing with unseen war. Security was discreetly tightened. The PR team released statements to protect Adrian's image-and hers.

But outside threats weren't the only danger.

Serena had returned.

Talia spotted her across the driveway one afternoon, leaning against a sleek black car, arms crossed, lips curved into a smirk. Her dark eyes locked on Talia with unmistakable challenge.

Adrian appeared behind Talia, silently. One glance at Serena, and Talia felt his presence like armor around her.

"She's here to stir trouble," he murmured.

"I can handle her," Talia said quickly, though her throat tightened.

Adrian's dark gaze met hers. "No. You don't handle anything that belongs to me."

Her stomach fluttered, a mixture of fear and something else she couldn't name.

"She's dangerous," he warned. "And she will push until I make her regret it."

Talia looked at him, and for a brief, dizzying moment, she realized... this contract marriage had rules. But feelings, however forbidden, were already creeping in.

That night, Talia sat in her room, heart still pounding from the day.

Her phone buzzed again. A new article, new rumors, new threats.

Then came a text from an unknown number:

Stay away from Adrian. Or this will only get worse for you.

Her hands shook. She looked up, and Adrian was already at her doorway.

"Don't," he said softly. "I will handle it."

Talia blinked. "I... I don't want to be in danger."

"You're not in danger," he said, stepping closer. "Not while I'm here. Not while you're mine."

The words made her chest tighten.

"Yours?" she asked quietly, almost disbelieving.

His eyes darkened. "For now. And don't you forget it."

Talia swallowed hard. The line between contract and reality was blurring faster than she could handle.

And deep down, she knew... nothing would ever be the same again.

The morning sun spilled across the Blackwood driveway, but tension hung heavier than the heat.

Talia was walking toward the garden when she saw her.

Serena. Leaning casually against Adrian's car, smirking like she owned the place. Her heels clicked against the pavement with calculated precision, each step radiating confidence - and challenge.

Talia's chest tightened.

"I told you she'd return," Adrian murmured behind her.

She turned, startled. He was already there, his suit perfectly sharp, posture rigid. His dark eyes locked on Serena, the air around him tense, controlled.

"She doesn't belong here," Adrian said quietly, but the words cut like steel.

Talia swallowed. "I can deal with her," she said, trying to sound firm.

"No," he interrupted sharply. "You don't deal with her. I do."

She blinked. His possessiveness sent a strange heat through her chest. It was intimidating... and thrilling.

Serena's gaze slid to Talia, eyes sharp.

"Ah, the new Mrs. Blackwood," she said lightly. "I almost didn't recognize you. You look... fragile. Scared, even."

Talia's hands clenched at her sides. "I'm not scared," she replied, voice steady despite the tremor in her chest.

Serena laughed softly, a dangerous, mocking sound. "You should be. Adrian was mine before you. And he's far from done with me."

Adrian's jaw tightened. His voice dropped, low and dangerous.

"Serena," he said, each syllable like a warning. "Step back."

The smirk faltered. But it returned almost immediately. "Or what? You'll fire me? Call security?"

Adrian stepped forward, his presence imposing. "No. I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me - and her."

Talia's breath caught. His words weren't just about her - they were about her and him. And the intensity in his eyes left no room for doubt: Serena had just walked into a world she would not survive.

Serena's smirk finally wavered. "We'll see," she whispered before turning and striding away, heels clicking like a countdown.

Talia felt her legs weaken. She looked at Adrian, who now towered over her, his gaze softer - just slightly - but still intensely possessive.

"You didn't have to say that," she whispered, still trembling.

"I did," he said simply. "Because she doesn't belong in your world. Or mine."

She swallowed hard, unable to speak. The heat in her chest was unfamiliar. Dangerous. Real.

"You're mine," he said softly, the words almost a growl.

"Yours?" she repeated, voice barely audible.

"Yes," he said firmly, almost bitterly. "While this contract exists, while you're in my house... you're mine. And I will not let anyone, past or present, hurt you."

Her heart thundered. She wanted to tell him it was just a contract. That she wasn't his. That she couldn't...

But the words caught in her throat.

Because she knew, deep down, she already felt it.

Something far stronger than a contract.

And she wasn't sure if she wanted to fight it anymore.

That night, Talia sat in her room, staring at the ceiling.

Serena had made it clear: she wouldn't disappear quietly.

And Adrian... Adrian had made it equally clear: she was his to protect.

Her chest ached. Conflicted. Confused.

And yet... something inside her told her that this contract marriage wasn't going to be as simple as she thought.

Because feelings, dangerous and forbidden, were starting to grow.

The mansion was silent.

Talia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the soft glow of the city lights through her balcony window. Her heart was still racing from the encounter with Serena earlier.

She had barely slept, every sound in the house echoing like a warning.

A soft knock on her door startled her.

"Come in," she whispered.

The door opened slowly. Adrian stepped inside, his silhouette framed by the hallway light. His dark eyes were unreadable, but the air around him was... heavy. Possessive.

"Talia," he said quietly, his voice lower than usual, "we need to talk."

She frowned. "About what?"

"About tonight," he replied, stepping closer. His gaze was intense. "About you."

Her pulse quickened. "About me?"

"Yes," he said simply. "You. Me. This... marriage."

He stopped just a few feet away, but the space between them felt electric.

"You're worried about Serena," he continued. "About the rumors. About her trying to intimidate you. And you shouldn't be."

"I can handle her," she said softly, though her chest was tight.

"You don't have to," he interrupted. His tone left no room for argument. "I'm here. And I will protect you. Always."

Her breath caught. The words were possessive, real, and... dangerous.

Adrian moved a step closer. Talia's heart thudded painfully in her chest.

"You're mine, Talia," he said, his voice low and firm. "And don't you forget it."

Her hands trembled slightly. She wanted to deny it. To remind herself it was just a contract. But the warmth in her chest said otherwise.

"You... you can't just claim me," she whispered.

"I already have," he said, stepping closer until only a breath separated them. His eyes darkened with intensity, and the heat between them was undeniable.

For the first time, Talia saw Adrian not as a cold, untouchable billionaire, but as a man... a man who wanted her.

The silence stretched, heavy with tension, until she finally turned away, forcing herself to take a step back.

"I... I need to sleep," she murmured.

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Tonight," he said softly, almost a growl. "You won't be alone. I won't let anyone threaten you. Not her. Not the world. Not anyone."

Her chest tightened again. His presence was suffocating, consuming... and she realized with a jolt that this was only the beginning.

"Goodnight," she whispered, retreating to her bed.

But as she lay down, staring at the ceiling, she couldn't ignore it.

The way her heart raced. The way her body remembered his nearness.

The way she knew... she was already falling.