Marco Romanav

The Romanav mansion sat on top of a hill, looking down at the city like a king watching his kingdom. From his office window, Marco Romanav could see everything—the cars moving like tiny ants, the lights starting to blink as evening fell, and the smoke rising from the factories that he owned.

But today, he saw nothing.

His mind was somewhere else. Somewhere dark. Somewhere angry.

"Sir, your father is asking for you," a voice said from the door.

Marco turned around. His assistant, Alex, stood there with a worried look on his face. Alex had been with Marco for five years. He was more than an assistant. He was the only friend Marco had. The only person Marco trusted.

"Tell him I'm busy," Marco said, his voice cold like winter wind.

"I can't, sir. He says it's about the... marriage."

Marco's jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists. The word hung in the air like poison.

Marriage.

He was twenty-eight years old. He ran a business empire that stretched across three countries. He also ran things that no one talked about—the underground world of deals and power that happened in shadows. He was a man who answered to no one. Except his parents.

And today, they had forced him to do the one thing he never wanted to do.

Marry a stranger.

Leo Rivera

The small apartment on the east side of the city was quiet. Too quiet.

Leo Rivera sat on his worn-out sofa, staring at the wall. His hands were shaking. His heart was beating too fast.

On the table in front of him was a letter. A letter that told him his life was about to change forever.

"Mr. Leo Rivera, you have been chosen to marry Mr. Marco Romanav. This is not a request. This is an order."

Leo was twenty-three years old. He had no parents. No family. He had grown up in orphanages and foster homes, moving from place to place like a suitcase no one wanted. He had learned early that life was not fair. He had learned to survive.

But this?

This was something else.

A knock on the door made him jump.

"Leo! Open up!"

It was Mira. His only friend. The only person in the world who cared about him.

Leo opened the door. Mira rushed in, her eyes wide with worry.

"Tell me it's not true," she said. "Tell me you're not really going to marry that monster."

Leo swallowed hard. "I don't have a choice, Mira. The orphanage... they said if I don't do this, they'll take away everything. They'll take away the little money I have. They'll—"

"They can't do that!" Mira's voice was angry. "It's not legal!"

"Nothing about this is legal," Leo said quietly. "But what can I do? I'm alone. No one is coming to save me. This is my life now."

Mira grabbed his hands. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Then I'm coming with you. I'll be there. I won't let them hurt you."

Leo wanted to tell her no. He wanted to protect her from this mess. But looking at her face, he knew she wouldn't listen.

So he just nodded.

"Okay," he whispered. "Okay."

The Parents

The Romanav family had a long and dark history.

Viktor Romanav, Marco's father, was a man who had built his empire from nothing. He had started as a poor boy on the streets, fighting for every scrap of food. He had clawed his way up until he owned half the city.

But he had made enemies along the way.

One of those enemies was a man named Dmitri Volkov. Years ago, Viktor had owed Dmitri a debt—a big one. A debt he couldn't pay. To save his family, Viktor had made a promise. A promise that one day, his son would marry someone from the Volkov family.

But things had changed.

Dmitri Volkov was dead now. But his son, Ivan, had taken over. And Ivan had no interest in the old promise. He wanted something else. He wanted Marco's business. He wanted his power.

So Viktor had made a new deal. Leo Rivera was an orphan. He had no family, no connections, no power. He was the perfect person to marry into the Romanav family—someone who could be controlled.

Someone who would give Viktor and his wife, Natalia, the chance to save their son from the real danger.

"We have to do this," Natalia had told her husband. "Ivan Volkov is dangerous. He wants to destroy Marco. If we give him a reason to back off... if we show him that Marco is already married and loyal to someone else..."

"But Marco loves Andrei," Viktor had said. "You know he does."

Natalia shook her head. Her eyes were tired. "Andrei is not good for him. Andrei is greedy. He only cares about Marco's money. Don't you see it? Ivan is using Andrei. Andrei is the one feeding Ivan information about Marco's business."

Viktor's face went pale.

"That's why you chose the orphan?"

"I chose someone innocent," Natalia said. "Someone who needs us. Someone who will be grateful. Marco will see it someday. I know he will."

The Wedding

The wedding was held in the Romanav mansion's grand ballroom.

It should have been beautiful. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Flowers covered every surface. Guests in expensive clothes filled the room.

But no one was smiling.

Marco stood at the altar, his face made of stone. He wore a black suit that cost more than most people made in a year. But he looked like he was going to a funeral.

Leo walked down the aisle alone. No one walked with him. Mira was in the back, watching with tears streaming down her face.

Leo wore a white suit. It was simple, but it made him look young. Vulnerable. His dark hair was neatly combed, but his hands were shaking.

When he reached the altar, Marco didn't look at him.

The priest began to speak. His words floated over them like distant music. Marco didn't hear any of it.

His mind was with Andrei.

Two weeks ago, Marco had been in his office when Andrei had come to him.

Andrei was beautiful. Golden hair, sharp blue eyes, a smile that could charm anyone. Marco had been with him for two years. He thought Andrei loved him.

"Marco, darling," Andrei had said, wrapping his arms around Marco's neck. "I heard about the marriage. I'm so worried about you."

Marco sighed. "I don't want it either. My parents are forcing me."

"Of course they are," Andrei said, his voice dripping with fake sympathy. "But Marco... I've heard things. About the boy they're making you marry."

"What kind of things?"

Andrei's eyes narrowed. "I heard he's a gold digger. He's been planning this for months. He wants your money. He'll do anything to get it."

Marco frowned. "He's an orphan. How could he plan something like that?"

"Oh, sweetheart," Andrei said, stroking Marco's face. "That's how they get you. They pretend to be helpless. They play the victim. Then they take everything."

Marco wanted to believe Andrei. He loved him. But something felt wrong.

Then Andrei showed him the "proof."

He pulled out his phone and showed Marco a picture. It was Leo, standing outside a fancy restaurant with a man in an expensive suit. The man was Ivan Volkov.

"He's been meeting with Ivan," Andrei said. "They're planning something. Ivan is going to use him to destroy you."

Marco's blood turned cold.

He didn't know that the picture had been staged. He didn't know that Andrei had paid someone to take that photo. He didn't know that Andrei was working with Ivan to destroy him.

All he knew was the betrayal he felt.

And he took it out on the only person he could.

(Now)

"Marco Romanav," the priest said. "Do you take Leo Rivera to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Marco stared at the priest. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

No one moved.

Finally, Marco spoke.

"I take him," he said, his voice flat as a stone. "But not because I want to. Because I have no choice. Because my parents are forcing me into this. Because—"

"Marco," Viktor hissed from the front row. "Enough."

Marco ignored him. He turned to look at Leo for the first time.

Leo's face was white. His eyes were wide with hurt. He looked like a small animal caught in a trap.

Marco felt nothing.

"Look at him," Marco said to the crowd. "Look at the innocent orphan. So helpless. So pitiful. I know what you really are. I know about your meetings with Ivan Volkov. I know you're just like everyone else—greedy and fake."

Leo's mouth opened. He tried to speak, but no words came out.

"I didn't—" he started.

"Don't," Marco cut him off. "Don't pretend. You're a liar. You're a manipulator. And I will never, ever love you."

The room gasped.

Mira was crying openly now. She wanted to run to Leo. She wanted to take him away from this nightmare.

But she couldn't. She was just as powerless as he was.

The priest cleared his throat nervously. "Please, continue with the vows."

Leo took a shaky breath. His hands were trembling so much he could barely hold the ring.

"I—" he started. His voice broke. "I promise to be faithful. To honor you. To support you. Even if..." He stopped. A tear slid down his cheek. "Even if you hate me."

He put the ring on Marco's finger. Marco didn't even look at it.

Marco grabbed Leo's hand roughly. His grip was too tight. His eyes were ice.

"I promise nothing," Marco said. "I will be your husband in name only. Don't expect anything else."

He shoved the ring onto Leo's finger. Leo winced.

The priest quickly declared them married. No one clapped. No one cheered.

Marco walked away without looking back.

Leo stood alone at the altar.

His new husband had just told the whole world that he was nothing.

The reception was a nightmare.

Guests whispered behind their hands. They looked at Leo like he was some kind of criminal. They had heard Marco's words. They believed every word.

Leo sat at a table alone. Mira came to sit next to him.

"Leo, you need to eat something," she said softly.

"I'm not hungry," Leo whispered.

"Please. Just a little?"

Leo looked at her. His eyes were red from crying. "He hates me, Mira. He said I'm a liar. He said—"

"He's wrong," Mira said firmly. "He's a fool. A blind fool."

"But what if he's right?" Leo's voice was barely audible. "What if I am bad? What if I'm just... everything they said?"

"No!" Mira grabbed his shoulders. "Don't you dare believe that. You are the kindest person I know. You're innocent. You didn't ask for this. None of this is your fault."

Leo started to cry again.

He had grown up with nothing. He had dreamed of a future where someone would love him. Where he would feel safe.

But this? This was worse than being alone.

This was being trapped.

Across the room, Marco stood with Andrei.

"I did good, didn't I?" Andrei whispered in Marco's ear. "I warned you about him. You saw his face when you said those things. He couldn't even deny it."

Marco nodded slowly. "You were right about him."

"Of course I was, darling. I'm always right. Now, let's get out of here. I want to celebrate our victory."

Marco turned to leave with Andrei.

But something made him stop.

He looked back. Across the room, he saw Leo. Leo was crying. Mira was holding his hand. They looked so alone. So broken.

For a moment, something stirred in Marco's chest. Something that felt like guilt. Like regret.

I am not my father, he thought. But look what I've become.

He pushed the feeling away.

Andrei was waiting.

Marco walked out of the room.

He didn't look back again.

The End (For Now)

Leo sat alone in his new room.

It was a beautiful room. Big windows. Soft bedsheets. A fire crackling in the fireplace.

But Leo didn't see any of it.

All he saw was the ring on his finger. The ring Marco had shoved on him with so much hate.

He took it off. He stared at it.

"I will be your husband in name only," he whispered to himself. "Don't expect anything else."

The words echoed in his head.

He put the ring back on. He had no choice.

He was trapped.

But maybe—just maybe—there was a way out.

He just had to survive.

________________________________________

The morning after the wedding was cold and gray.

Leo sat alone in his new room, still wearing the white suit from yesterday. He hadn't slept. His eyes were red and swollen from crying all night. The ring on his finger felt like a chain. A chain that was pulling him deeper into a prison he never asked for.

A knock on the door made him jump.

"Leo? It's us. Can we come in?"

It was Natalia's voice. Marco's mother.

Leo wiped his eyes quickly. He stood up and straightened his clothes. He didn't want anyone to see how broken he was. But when the door opened, he knew he couldn't hide anything.

Viktor and Natalia Romanav stood at the door. They looked tired. Guilty. Their eyes were full of sadness.

"Leo," Natalia said softly. "May we sit with you?"

Leo nodded. He couldn't speak. His throat was too tight.

They came inside and sat on the small sofa near the window. Leo sat across from them, his hands folded in his lap. He looked down at the floor. He couldn't meet their eyes.

"Leo, we are so sorry," Natalia began. Her voice was gentle but shaky. "What Marco did to you yesterday... it was cruel. It was wrong. We never wanted that to happen."

Leo didn't say anything. What could he say?

"We had no choice," Viktor said. His voice was deeper, rougher. "We had to protect our son. There is a man named Ivan Volkov. He wants to destroy Marco. He's dangerous. We thought... we thought if Marco was married to someone innocent, someone who had nothing to do with that world..."

"Someone like me," Leo whispered. His voice was hollow. "Someone who has no one. Someone who can be controlled."

Natalia's eyes filled with tears. "No, Leo. That's not how we see you. We see you as a good person. A kind person. We thought Marco would see that too."

"But he doesn't," Leo said. His voice cracked. "He hates me. He thinks I'm a liar. He thinks I'm working with that Ivan person. I don't even know who that is!"

"We know," Viktor said quickly. "We know you're innocent. Andrei—that's Marco's lover—he's been feeding lies to Marco. He's the one who made Marco believe you're bad."

Leo looked up. His eyes were wide with confusion. "Why? Why would he do that?"

"Because Andrei is working with Ivan," Natalia said. "He wants Marco's money. He wants his power. If he can make Marco hate you, he can keep controlling him."

Leo felt like the floor was falling away beneath him.

"So everyone is lying," he said slowly. "Everyone except me. And no one believes me."

"We believe you," Viktor said. "We know the truth. But Marco... he's blinded. He loves Andrei. He trusts him. We couldn't tell him the truth. He wouldn't believe us."

Natalia reached out and took Leo's hands. Her hands were warm and soft. They reminded Leo of a mother's hands. A mother he never had.

"Leo, I know this is hard," she said. "I know you're scared and alone. But we need you to do something for us. We need you to stay close to Marco. We need you to be there for him. Even if he pushes you away."

Leo pulled his hands back. "Why would I do that? He humiliated me. He said I was nothing. He told everyone I was a liar."

"Because Marco is not a bad person," Natalia said. "He's lost. He's been manipulated. But deep down, he is kind. I know my son. I know his heart. And I know that if you stay patient... if you stay strong... he will see the truth one day."

Leo shook his head. "I don't know if I can. I don't have any strength left."

Natalia stood up. She came close to Leo and placed a hand on his cheek. Her touch was gentle. Loving.

"Leo, I'm going to give you some advice," she whispered. "When Marco is angry, don't fight back. When he's cold, don't beg for warmth. Just be there. Be the calm in his storm. And one day, he will realize that you are the only person who never hurt him."

Leo looked at her. His eyes were full of doubt. But something in her words made him feel a tiny spark of hope.

"One more thing," Natalia added softly. "Andrei is not what he seems. Marco doesn't know this yet. But you will see. Trust your instincts. And trust me. I am on your side."

She stepped back.

Viktor stood up. "The car is waiting. We're taking you to Marco's mansion now. You'll be staying there from now on."

Leo's heart sank. He didn't want to go. He didn't want to be trapped in a house with a man who hated him.

"Please," he whispered. "Can my friend Mira come with me? Please. I have no one else."

Natalia's face softened with pity. "I'm sorry, Leo. Mira cannot come. Marco would not allow it. And it's too dangerous. But I promise you—you are not alone. I will visit you. I will check on you."

Leo nodded weakly. He knew there was no point in arguing.

"I'm ready," he said quietly.

________________________________________

The mansion was huge. Cold. Silent.

Leo walked through the grand entrance, his footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Servants stood in rows, bowing their heads. But Leo didn't see any of them. All he could feel was the emptiness inside him.

"This way, sir," a servant said. "I'll take you to your room."

Leo followed the servant up the grand staircase. The hallways were long and dark. Paintings of old Romanav ancestors hung on the walls. Their eyes seemed to follow him.

The room was beautiful. Large windows overlooked a garden. A massive bed sat in the center of the room. Everything was expensive and perfect.

But Leo felt nothing.

"This is Master Marco's private wing," the servant explained. "His room is just down the hall. You'll be staying in this room."

Leo nodded. "Thank you."

The servant bowed and left.

Leo was alone.

He walked to the window and looked out at the garden. The flowers were blooming. The sun was shining. Everything outside was beautiful.

But inside Leo's heart, it was dark.

He sat on the floor in the corner of the room. He wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his face in his arms.

He thought about Mira. He missed her so much. He wished she was here to hold his hand. To tell him everything would be okay.

But she wasn't.

He thought about Marco. The cold eyes. The cruel words. The way he had grabbed Leo's hand and shoved the ring on his finger.

"He hates me," Leo whispered. "He hates me so much."

The hours passed. The sun went down. The room grew dark.

Leo didn't move. He stayed in the corner, crying quietly.

Marco didn't come home.

________________________________________

Across the city, Marco sat in a dark bar.

The place was loud and smoky. Music pounded in his ears. But Marco heard none of it.

He was too drunk.

His lover, Andrei, sat next to him. Andrei was wearing a tight black shirt. His golden hair was perfectly styled. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Darling, you've had enough," Andrei said, placing a hand on Marco's arm. "Let's go somewhere private."

Marco shook his head. "No. I want another drink."

He waved at the bartender. Another glass of whiskey appeared in front of him. He drank it in one gulp.

Andrei leaned closer. His breath was warm on Marco's ear. "Come on, Marco. You're upset. I know how to make you feel better. Let me take you home. Let me take care of you."

Marco pushed him away. "I said no, Andrei."

Andrei's face flickered with anger. But he quickly hid it. "Fine. But at least let me take you to your car. You can barely walk."

Marco stood up. His legs wobbled. The room was spinning.

"I'm fine," he slurred. "I don't need your help."

He stumbled toward the door. His driver was waiting outside.

Andrei watched him go. His eyes were cold. Angry.

"He always pushes me away," Andrei muttered to himself. "Every single time. No matter what I do. He never wants me."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Ivan," Andrei said. His voice was smooth again. "Marco is drunk and gone. I'm all alone. Why don't you come over and keep me company and warm my bed?"

Ivan Volkov's voice came through the phone. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

Andrei smiled. "Good. I'll be waiting."

The car stopped outside the mansion.

Marco was barely conscious. His head was pounding. His eyes were blurry.

"Sir, we're home," the driver said.

Marco mumbled something and tried to get out of the car. He stumbled and almost fell. The driver caught him.

"Sir, let me help you."

"I don't need help," Marco growled.

But he was too weak to walk on his own. He leaned heavily on the driver as they walked up the stairs and into the mansion.

The servants rushed to help. But a sharp voice stopped them.

"Take him to the young master's room," a servant said. "The mistress's orders."

The driver nodded. He led Marco up the stairs and down the hall.

________________________________________

Leo heard footsteps in the hallway.

His heart started to race. He sat up quickly, wiping his tears. His eyes were swollen and red.

The door opened.

Marco stumbled in, supported by the driver. His expensive suit was wrinkled. His hair was messy. His eyes were glassy and unfocused.

Leo's breath caught in his throat.

"Where should I put him, sir?" the driver asked.

"I don't know," Leo whispered. "I don't—"

"The mistress ordered that he stay here tonight," the driver said. "This is his room now."

Leo's face went pale. He wanted to argue. He wanted to scream. But he remembered Natalia's words.

"Be the calm in his storm."

"Bring him here," Leo said quietly.

He helped the driver guide Marco to the bed. Marco fell onto the mattress, groaning. He was completely unconscious now.

The driver bowed and left.

Leo stood there, staring at the man on the bed. This was his husband. The man who had humiliated him. The man who hated him.

And now they were alone together.

Leo felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He backed away from the bed. He sank into the corner of the room.

He started to cry again.

"Why me?" he whispered. "What did I do to deserve this?"

He thought about his life. All the orphanages. All the foster families who never wanted him. All the times he had hoped for something good to happen, only to be disappointed.

"This is my life," he sobbed. "I'm always alone. Always unlucky. No one wants me. No one ever wants me."

He looked at Marco. His husband was lying on the bed, completely drunk. He wouldn't wake up for hours.

"If he wanted to," Leo whispered, "he could kill me tonight. And no one would ever know. No one would even care."

He buried his face in his knees and cried until he had no tears left. His body was exhausted. His heart was broken.

Slowly, without realizing it, Leo fell asleep.

________________________________________

Morning light streamed through the window.

Marco's eyes fluttered open. His head was pounding. His mouth was dry. For a moment, he didn't know where he was.

Then he remembered.

The wedding. The humiliation. The angry vows.

And the stranger.

Marco sat up slowly. His eyes scanned the room. And then he saw it.

A figure sitting in the corner. Curled up in a small ball, fast asleep. It was the boy from the wedding. The orphan. The liar.

Marco's face twisted with anger.

"Acting all saint," he muttered. "Sleeping in the corner like some wounded bird. Like he's the victim."

He remembered what Andrei had told him. The boy was a puppet for Ivan Volkov. The boy was a liar. A manipulator. A thief.

Marco didn't question it. He didn't investigate. He just believed.

He climbed out of bed and walked toward the corner.

Leo sensed someone's presence. His eyes shot open. He saw Marco standing over him. His heart slammed against his chest.

"M-Marco..." he stammered.

"Don't say my name," Marco snarled.

He reached down and grabbed Leo's hair. Leo screamed in pain. His eyes filled with tears.

"Please!" Leo begged. "Please stop! I didn't do anything!"

"Liar!" Marco shouted. "You think I don't know about Ivan Volkov? You think I don't know you're his puppet? You're here to destroy me! Just like Andrei said!"

"I don't know who that is!" Leo cried. "I've never met him! I swear!"

Marco's grip tightened. Leo's head was pulled back painfully. Tears streamed down his face.

"You're a liar," Marco hissed. "You're a fake. You think you can fool me with your tears? You think I'll fall for your innocent act?"

"Please, Marco," Leo sobbed. "Please let me go. I won't interfere with your life. I'll stay silent. I'll stay away from you. I promise. Just please don't hurt me."

Marco's eyes were wild with rage. He pulled Leo closer until their faces were inches apart.

"I should kiss you," Marco said coldly. "I should remind you who you belong to. You're my husband now. That means I can do whatever I want with you."

Leo's face went white with fear. "No," he whispered. "Please. Don't. Please don't do this to me."

Marco leaned in. His lips were almost touching Leo's.

Leo squeezed his eyes shut. His whole body was trembling. "Please," he begged. "Please. I'll never come near you. I'll stay in my room forever. I won't talk to anyone. I won't eat with you. I'll be invisible. Just please don't do this. I'm so scared. Please."

Marco stopped.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... pity.

But it was gone in an instant.

He shoved Leo away. Leo fell to the floor, gasping for air.

"Fine," Marco said coldly. "Stay away from me. Stay away from Andrei. Stay away from everyone. If you try anything, if I catch you talking to Ivan, I will destroy you. Do you understand?"

Leo nodded frantically. "Yes. Yes. I understand. I promise."

Marco turned and walked to the door. He didn't look back.

Leo lay on the floor, sobbing. His scalp was burning. His heart was shattered.

But he was alive.

Barely.

________________________________________

The door slammed shut.

Leo was alone again.

He pulled himself up and crawled back to his corner. He wrapped his arms around his knees and started to cry once more.

The tears came like a river. All the pain he had kept inside came pouring out.

"I can't do this," he whispered. "I can't survive this."

But even as he said it, something inside him fought back.

You have to survive. You have no choice.

Leo closed his eyes and took a shaky breath.

He thought about Mira. Her kind face. Her warm smile. She was out there somewhere, waiting for him.

He thought about Natalia. Her gentle words. Her promise to protect him.

He thought about himself. All the times he had been knocked down. All the times he had gotten back up.

"I will survive," he whispered. "Even if it kills me. I will survive."

And somewhere in the darkness, a tiny flame of hope flickered to life.