TRAPPED IN HIS GOLDEN CAGE

ove her, their golden handles shining in the warm afternoon sunlight. Inside, New York's high society had gathered, dressed to the ni

e

le nobody on the brink o

te and torturous, as if it were taunting her anguish. It was a gown befit

t light

ectly manicured nails gripping Elena's wrist. "You loo

ment the tale of the detached billionaire marrying a delicate,

is

y h

st have ulter

't entirel

ove. This was

erate busines

he orchestra struck up the wedding

n't fee

never fe

s grip tightening,

ved fo

er. The air was stifling, and the weight of her gown was overwhelming

der Bl

ck suit, his silver cufflinks shimmering under the chandelier lights. He w

ay. No warmth. No joy. Just a

husb

ca

ng in her chest. A rational woman would

king, even as every p

is hand. He merely tilted his head, his stormy gray eye

whispered, just loud e

y. "No," she replied, though it w

not quite a smile b

e pries

ffirmation from Alexander seemed hollow, delivered with the detached precisi

od, take Elena Carter to b

replied, hi

neath Elena s

was he

Alexander Blackwood to be

ry part of her screamed to

ng his life. The crushing debt they faced. The inevitabl

ips p

d

ke a noose tighteni

veloped th

roclaimed, "You ma

stomach

the ritual unwelcome. He stepped closer, raising a hand to her

breath as h

g-a kiss intended for the cameras, for public consumptio

now, whether you

lause e

was now Ele

an who felt

CKWOOD

r new home was en

ck Rolls-Royce, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. The sparklin

d a glan

ne, exhibiting complete in

were not

were ins

l they finally arrived at the Blackw

state of glass and steel, stark and uninviting. High walls e

lded

ent a shiver

els. The mansion's doors swung wide, revealing a magnificent foyer overflowing with gold and ma

s stu

tely devoi

re love had

, her voice barely a whis

sion inscrutable. "It's where you'll

tricted in

ser, his gaze pier

ly soft. "This marriage is a farce. You are my wife in name only. Y

st cons

elling her to meet his cold, unreadable gaze, "when we are in public, you will play the

ed hard. "And

less smirk gr

ur fathe

eath c

culating.

made it abundantly clear

s his

nto a gilded cage from whi