The crystal chandelier above cast sharp shadows across the marble floor, making the room feel like a cage. Kai sat at the end of the long conference table, his hands folded so tightly his knuckles were white, as men in tailored suits stared at him like he was a piece of property to be traded. He was an omega - rare, valuable, and right now, completely powerless.

“Mr. Rothwell insists on a marriage,” his lawyer, Mr. Tan, said, pushing a thick stack of papers across the table. The ink gleamed under the lights, each word a chain waiting to wrap around Kai’s throat. “In exchange for covering up the… incident… and ensuring your safety from the rival Vasquez family, who’ve already heard rumors about the pregnancy.”

Kai’s throat went dry. The “incident” was three weeks ago - a blur of champagne at his friend’s birthday party, dark corridors of a downtown penthouse, and a man whose touch had felt both like fire and a cage. He’d woken up alone, the sheets cold, with only a crumpled note that read “Don’t look for me.” Now he knew why: that man was Leo Rothwell - heir to the Rothwell mafia empire, billionaire tycoon, and the most feared alpha in the city.

And Kai was carrying his child.

The door burst open before he could respond, making everyone at the table flinch. Leo strode in, his black suit perfectly pressed, his jaw set in a line of pure fury. His eyes - a sharp, icy blue - landed on Kai, and for a split second, Kai saw something flash in them that wasn’t just hatred. Something like shock. But it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by the same coldness that had become his trademark.

“Cut the crap, Tan,” Leo growled, pulling out a chair and slamming it down. “I’m not here to negotiate. The marriage happens in 48 hours. No exceptions.”

Kai finally found his voice, small but steady. “Why? If you hate me so much, why not just pay me off and make me disappear?”

Leo’s eyes narrowed. “Because this child is Rothwell blood. My father will never let it grow up outside the family. And if the Vasquezes get wind that an omega is carrying my heir, they’ll use it to destroy us. Marriage is the only way to protect all of us - whether you like it or not.”

The words stung like a slap. Protect all of us. Not protect you, not I care. Just business. Kai looked down at his hands, at the faint pulse in his wrist that matched the tiny life growing inside him. He’d worked hard to build a quiet life - a small apartment, a job at a bookstore, friends who cared about him. Now it was all being torn away for a man who couldn’t even look at him without scowling.

“Fine,” he whispered, reaching for the pen. “I’ll sign.”

Leo watched as Kai’s hand trembled over the paper, his omega scent - soft, like rain and jasmine - filling the room. He’d spent three weeks trying to forget that night, telling himself it was a mistake, that he’d been drunk and reckless. But seeing Kai here, pregnant with his child, made it impossible to ignore. He hated the way his alpha instincts roared to protect him, hated the way his chest tightened when he saw the fear in his eyes.

“Good,” Leo said, standing up the moment Kai signed. “My assistant will send over the details. Be ready at 9 AM the day after tomorrow. And Kai?”

Kai looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Don’t expect anything more than a contract,” Leo said, his voice like ice. “This is just business. Nothing more.”

He turned and walked out, leaving Kai alone in the cold, empty room with the signed papers and a heart that felt like it was breaking in two. Outside, the city hummed with life, but for Kai, everything had just gone silent. In 48 hours, he’d be married to the most dangerous man in the city - a man who hated him - and his life would never be his own again.

The black sedan pulled up to the chapel at 8:59 AM - one minute early, just like Leo had ordered. Kai sat in the back, wearing a simple white suit his mother had bought him the day before, his hands resting on his still-flat stomach. He hadn’t slept all night, replaying Leo’s words in his head: Just business. Nothing more.

His mother, Lin, reached over and squeezed his hand. “It’s going to be okay, my love,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “We’ll be right here with you.”

Kai forced a small smile. He knew she was lying - nothing about this was okay. But he didn’t want to make her sad, not when she’d already given up so much to be here. His father, Collins, sat beside her, his jaw tight with anger - anger at Leo, at the situation, at his own powerlessness to protect his son.

The door opened, and Leo’s assistant, Mia, stood there - her face impassive, just like her boss. “Mr. Rothwell is waiting inside,” she said. “The ceremony will start in five minutes.”

Kai got out of the car, his legs shaking. The chapel was small and old, with stained-glass windows that cast colorful light across the wooden pews. Only a handful of people were there: Leo’s father, Viktor, sitting in the front row with a scowl on his face; three of Leo’s mafia lieutenants, standing against the wall like bodyguards; and Kai’s parents, sitting in the second row. No flowers, no music, no guests to celebrate. Just a contract to be sealed with vows.

Leo was standing at the altar, wearing a black suit that made him look even taller and more intimidating. He didn’t turn around when Kai walked in, didn’t acknowledge him at all. The priest - a man who looked like he’d been paid well to keep quiet - cleared his throat and started speaking.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

Kai walked up to the altar, standing beside Leo. He could feel the heat of his body, the sharp, woodsy scent of his alpha pheromones. It made his omega instincts stir - the urge to lean into him, to seek his protection. But he pushed it down, remembering his promise to himself: don’t hope. Don’t feel. Just get through this.

The priest continued, his voice droning on. “Do you, Leo Rothwell, take Kai Collins to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward?”

Leo finally turned to look at Kai. His eyes were cold, empty. “I do,” he said, his voice flat.

“And do you, Kai Collins, take Leo Rothwell to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward?”

Kai looked into Leo’s eyes, searching for any sign of humanity. There was nothing. Just the same hatred he’d seen in the conference room. “I do,” he whispered.

The priest handed them rings - simple silver bands, no engravings. Leo slipped the ring onto Kai’s finger, his touch so brief it felt like a ghost. Kai did the same, his hand trembling so much he almost dropped the ring.

“I now pronounce you spouses,” the priest said. “You may kiss the groom.”

Leo hesitated for a split second, then leaned in and pressed his lips to Kai’s. It was a cold, quick kiss - no passion, no feeling. Just a formality. When he pulled away, he turned his back on Kai again, walking over to his father.

Viktor stood up, clapping his hands once. “Good,” he said. “The contract is sealed. Now, Leo, we have business to discuss. The Vasquezes are moving in on our downtown territory.”

Leo nodded, already walking toward the door. “Mia will take you to the penthouse,” he said without looking at Kai. “Stay there. Don’t leave without my permission.”

Then he was gone, along with his father and the lieutenants. Kai stood at the altar, the silver ring feeling heavy on his finger, as his mother ran up to him and pulled him into a hug. He finally let the tears fall, sobbing into her shoulder as she held him tight.

“He’ll take care of you,” she whispered. “I know he will.”

Kai didn’t believe her. As Mia led him out of the chapel and back to the sedan, he looked out the window at the city passing by. He was married now, trapped in a gilded cage with a man who hated him. And the only thing keeping him there was the tiny life growing inside him - a life that had already cost him everything.

The penthouse was on the fortieth floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the entire city. It was luxurious - marble floors, leather furniture, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances that looked like they’d never been used. But it was also empty. No photos on the walls, no books on the shelves, no personal touches that made it feel like a home.

“This is your room,” Mia said, opening a door at the end of a long hallway. “Mr. Rothwell will be staying in the master suite at the other end. He’s asked that you respect his privacy - don’t go into his room, don’t disturb him when he’s working.”

Kai looked inside. The room was nice - a large bed, a desk, a walk-in closet. But it felt like a hotel room, not a place where someone lived. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

Mia nodded. “I’ll leave you to unpack. Dinner will be delivered at 7 PM. Mr. Rothwell will be eating in his office, so you can eat here.”

Then she was gone, leaving Kai alone in the big, empty room. He walked over to the window and looked out at the city below - the cars moving like tiny ants, the lights starting to turn on as the sun set. It was a view he’d always dreamed of seeing, but now it just made him feel smaller, more alone.

He unpacked his things slowly - his clothes, his books, the small photo of him and his friends at the birthday party where he’d met Leo. He tucked the photo into the drawer of the desk, not wanting to look at it. Then he pulled out the ultrasound photo from his wallet - the first one he’d gotten at the doctor’s office. It was just a tiny dot, but it was his. His and Leo’s.

He sat down on the bed, holding the photo in his hands. “Hi, little one,” he whispered. “I know this isn’t the life I wanted for you. But I promise I’ll take care of you. No matter what.”

There was a knock on the door. Kai quickly put the photo back in his wallet and stood up. “Come in.”

Mia walked in with a tray of food - roasted chicken, vegetables, rice. “Dinner,” she said, setting it down on the desk. “Is there anything else you need?”

Kai shook his head. “No, thank you.”

Mia paused at the door. “Mr. Rothwell… he’s not a bad man,” she said, her voice softer than before. “He’s just… been through a lot. Give him time.”

Then she left again. Kai sat down at the desk and started eating, but the food tasted like cardboard. He thought about what Mia had said - give him time. But how much time did he have? The baby would be here in seven months, and Leo still treated him like he was invisible.

After dinner, he decided to explore the penthouse. He walked down the hallway, past Leo’s office - he could hear voices inside, Leo talking to someone about “shipments” and “payments.” He didn’t stop, didn’t want to listen. He walked into the living room, then the kitchen, running his hands over the expensive furniture. It all felt so cold, so impersonal.

He was standing in the kitchen, looking out at the city, when the office door opened. Leo walked out, wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his tie loose around his neck. He stopped when he saw Kai, his jaw tightening.

“I thought I told you to stay in your room,” he said, his voice sharp.

Kai turned around, his heart racing. “I… I was just exploring. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Leo walked over to the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “This is my home,” he said, not looking at Kai. “My space. I need you to respect that.”

“I know,” Kai said quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Leo took a sip of whiskey. “How’s the baby?”

The question took Kai by surprise. He didn’t think Leo cared. “Fine,” he said. “The doctor said everything is normal.”

Leo nodded, still not looking at him. “Good. That’s all that matters.”

They stood in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the hum of the city outside. Kai wanted to say something - to ask him why he hated him so much, to tell him about the ultrasound photo. But he was too scared.

“I should go back to my room,” Kai said finally.

“Good,” Leo said. “And Kai?”

Kai looked at him.

“Don’t ever come into the kitchen when I’m here,” Leo said. “I don’t want to see you.”

Kai’s heart broke all over again. He turned and walked back to his room, closing the door behind him. He sat down on the bed and started crying, the sound of his sobs lost in the big, empty penthouse. This was his life now - a gilded cage with a man who couldn’t even stand to look at him. And he didn’t know how he was going to survive it.