Chapter 2 A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.

The air was thick with tension as Mr. Jonathan paced the length of the study. His feet sank into the plush carpet with each step, but the comfort of luxury did little to ease the torment weighing on his mind. Across from him, Patrick Monroe sat with the calm of a man who always got what he wanted.

Ivana watched them from the corner of the room, her pulse racing. The man before her was nothing like the charming socialite she had seen in magazines. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his suit impeccably tailored, but his eyes-cold and calculating-betrayed the predator within.

"I trust we're clear on the terms," Patrick said smoothly, his voice like silk wrapped around steel.

Mr. Jonathan clenched his fists. "She's my daughter, not a commodity."

Patrick's smile didn't reach his eyes. "And yet, here we are."

Ivana's stomach twisted with revulsion as Patrick turned his gaze to her. The weight of his attention pressed down on her, suffocating and inescapable.

"Ivana," her father said, his voice pleading, "please understand-"

"I understand," she cut him off, her tone icy. "You're giving me away to save yourself."

Her father recoiled as if struck, shame flooding his face.

Patrick's expression remained impassive. "It's not as grim as it sounds. You'll live in luxury. Want for nothing. And your father will remain a free man."

"I'll be a prisoner," she said through clenched teeth.

"A wife," Patrick corrected. "There's a difference."

Her hands trembled as she fought to keep her composure. "Why me?" she demanded. "You could have anyone."

Patrick's smile widened, revealing a flash of teeth. "Because I can. And because power is about claiming what others want most."

The next day, the contract was signed. Ivana stood silently as her father's hand trembled over the paper, each stroke of the pen sealing her fate. She felt her own chains tightening with every word committed to ink.