Chained To The Ceo's Love

I wasn't invited here, and I don't care.

The room was filled with the sound of laughter and repetitive congratulations. Expensive gowns swished as guests moved, sipping champagne and basking in the luxury of a party that shouldn't have happened. I stood in the middle of the room, my heart pounding, my fingers clutching a cold glass of wine.

They hadn't noticed me-not yet.

My eyes were fixed on one figure. The groom.

Damien Vaughn.

Once, I thought that name would be a part of my life forever. Once, I believed he was my destiny. But now, he stood there, wearing a perfect black suit and a white tie, smiling at the woman who was now his wife. Celeste Moreau. A woman whose last name carried more weight in the business world than mine ever would.

I should have been the one standing beside him. I should have been the one wearing that wedding dress. But no-because to him, I wasn't good enough.

I lifted my glass of wine, took a small sip, and then without thinking, I tossed the entire contents in their direction.

The red liquid soaked Celeste's white dress, leaving a stain that couldn't be easily removed. The room, once filled with laughter, fell silent.

Celeste gasped, staring at the stain on her dress with horror. Damien stiffened, his eyes meeting mine in a shock that quickly turned into anger.

I smirked. "Oops."

Someone in the crowd gasped, whispers began to spread like wildfire. I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes watching me, waiting for what would happen next.

Damien stepped forward, his expression filled with rage. "Seraphina, what have you done?"

"I was just trying to offer my congratulations," I said casually, though my heart was pounding. "And I thought this wedding needed a little more color."

Celeste gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're insane!"

I chuckled. "Oh, you're just realizing that now?"

I didn't know what made me do it. Maybe it was the anger I'd been suppressing all this time, maybe it was the satisfaction of seeing Damien's face tighten. I wanted to see him crumble, just like he'd crumbled me.

Damien growled, then turned to one of the security guards in the corner of the room. "Get her out of here."

I felt the tension in the air before I even realized it. Several guards started moving towards me. Their steps were steady, clearly trying to prevent me from running.

Damn it.

I could have run. I could have tried to fight back. But I didn't stand a chance against them all. I lifted my chin, ready to face whatever was coming-

Then, suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me back swiftly.

I almost tripped over my own heels as I was dragged out of the ballroom at a speed that was difficult to keep up with. I turned, intending to protest, but the words were swallowed as I saw who had taken me away.

Lucian Devereaux.

My heart nearly stopped.

The CEO of Devereaux Corporation. The most powerful man in the room, perhaps even the city. Cold, untouchable, and known for never doing anything without a reason.

What was he doing?

I didn't have time to ask. He led me through the deserted hotel corridors, far from the prying eyes of the guests. My breath caught as he finally stopped in a more private room, releasing his grip, and then turning to face me.

I yanked my hand back, staring at him sharply. "What are you doing?"

Lucian stared at me impassively. "Saving you from your own idiocy."

I scoffed. "I don't need saving."

He raised an eyebrow, as if doubting my words. "Really? You want to be thrown in jail for disrupting a public event? Or worse, make an enemy out of Damien Vaughn?"

I clenched my fists. "He's been my enemy for a long time."

Lucian observed my face for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Then how about I give you a chance to get your revenge?"

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. "What do you mean?"

He stepped closer, his voice lower and sharper. "Marry me."

I held my breath.

Lucian continued in his characteristically flat tone. "You want to make Damien regret it, and I need a wife."

I stared at him, trying to find a hidden intention behind his sharp grey eyes.

This was insane. More insane than anything I had done tonight.

But maybe... this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore.

I looked at Lucian skeptically, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. Marriage? With a man I didn't even know personally? This had to be some kind of joke.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked, trying to find any sign that he was just playing around.

His face remained impassive. "Do I look like someone who jokes?"

No. Not at all.

I took a step back, trying to calm myself down. This was too fast. Just a few minutes ago, I had thrown wine on Celeste's wedding dress, and now I was standing in front of the most powerful man in the room, who somehow was offering something more insane than my own actions.

I chuckled cynically, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "So, you want to marry me just to make Damien regret it? That's a pretty childish plan for someone like you, Mr. Devereaux."

Lucian sighed, seemingly unimpressed by my reaction. "You've got the wrong idea. I don't care about Damien or anyone else. I need a wife to fulfill the requirements in my family's will. And you need a more effective way to destroy the man who betrayed you. This is purely a business arrangement."

I was silent.

Lucian continued, his voice steady. "By marrying me, you'll have more power than you've ever had before. Damien will see you beside me, and he'll know he made the biggest mistake of his life."

Those words echoed in my mind. Imagining Damien's expression when he saw me as Lucian Aldrich's wife... there was something so satisfying about that thought.

But... marriage?

I shook my head, trying to think clearly. "Why me? You could choose another woman, someone who fits your image better."

Lucian gave a thin smile, but his eyes remained cold. "Because you won't fall in love with me."

I froze.

Lucian continued as if he'd just said something trivial. "I'm not interested in marriage that ends up in emotional drama. I need someone who understands boundaries. And you, Seraphina, are clearly still caught up in your hatred for another man. That makes you the perfect candidate."

I clenched my fists. "So, what do you think I am? A tool to help you fulfill your inheritance requirements?"

Lucian shrugged. "And I'm just a tool to help you get revenge. We both benefit."

I bit my lip, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. Everything was happening so fast, but the deepest part of me knew this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore. I wanted Damien to regret it. I wanted him to see me standing higher than he ever imagined.

Lucian seemed to be able to read my mind, because he took a step closer. The air between us felt heavy, as if he was giving me a choice I couldn't refuse.

"Take my offer, Seraphina. This is the only way to win."

I stared at him. His grey eyes showed no lies, only firmness. Cold. Dangerous. But also offering something I had never possessed before-power.

I took a deep breath. Everything that had happened today felt crazy, but wasn't my life already a mess? If I could destroy Damien and rebuild myself from these ruins, wasn't it worth a shot?

So, I lifted my chin and replied, "Alright. I accept."

Lucian gave a thin smile, as if he'd expected my answer.

"Good," he said. "Then we'll start now."

I frowned. "Now?"

He didn't answer. He simply reached for his phone, called someone, then spoke in a flat tone, "Get everything ready. I want this marriage to happen as soon as possible."

My heart lurched. I knew I had just made a huge decision. But I wasn't ready for what was going to happen next.

And as Lucian looked at me again with an unreadable expression, I realized one thing-I may have just sold my soul to the devil.