Carolina never believed in fairy tales. But if she did, this wouldn't be one—it would be a curse.
She had always thought rock bottom was her father's gambling debt. That nothing could be worse than watching her family fall apart.
She was wrong.
Because now, she was trapped in Alexander Malvern's world.
And he owned her.
---
The engagement party was extravagant. Gold chandeliers, a live orchestra, crystal glasses filled with expensive wine.
But to Carolina, it was a prison.
She stood at the edge of the ballroom, forcing a smile as guests whispered behind their glasses.
"That's her? The Malvern fiancée?"
"Poor girl. She doesn't know what she's getting into."
"Or maybe she does. Maybe she's just another gold digger."
Her fingers clenched around her champagne glass. They thought she wanted this? That she was here by choice?
A deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Bored already, fiancée?"
She didn't have to turn to know who it was. Alexander Malvern.
He stood beside her, tall, confident, dressed in a sleek black suit that made him look dangerously powerful. The room buzzed around them, but in that moment, it was just the two of them.
She didn't look at him. Didn't give him the satisfaction.
"I thought you were too busy making business deals to entertain me."
He chuckled. Low. Amused. Dangerous.
"I don't entertain, Carolina. I own."
Finally, she turned, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"And what exactly do you think you own?"
He leaned in, his lips just inches from her ear.
"You."
The word was a death sentence.
Her heart slammed against her ribs, but she refused to let him see her fear.
Not tonight.
Because if he thought he had already won—he was dead wrong.