Chapter 2 - A desperate surrender

Aria's gaze remained unwavering, unimpressed by Viktor's charismatic presence. Viktor, amused by her fearlessness, flashed a sly smile. "Fortunately, I'm spared the trouble of introductions."

Aria's eyes narrowed, her voice firm. "Let's get to the point. What do you want from me?"

Viktor's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Simple, really. I propose we get married."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, leaving Aria breathless. Her eyes widened in outrage. "What?!"

Viktor's expression turned matter-of-fact. "It's just a two-year contract. After that, we part ways, as if we'd never met."

Aria's face set in determination. "Marriage isn't a game, and I won't be a part of it. Find someone else for your contract."

As she turned to leave, Viktor's hand shot out, grasping her wrist. He pulled her close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You have a brother, don't you?"

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Aria's eyes locked onto Viktor's, a spark of fear igniting within them.

Aria's eyes flashed with alarm as she grasped Viktor's intentions. She shoved him away, her voice trembling with urgency. "What have you done to my brother?"

Viktor's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Nothing... yet." He paused, pulling out his phone. "But let's just say I have leverage."

He dialed a number, and a deep, menacing voice answered. "Brazo."

Viktor's instructions were crisp. "Put him on video call. I want her to see."

The screen flickered to life, revealing Aria's brother bound to a chair, a hulking figure looming behind him, gun in hand. Aria's face drained of color, her legs buckling beneath her.

The voice from the phone growled, "What do I do with him, sir?"

Viktor's response was icy. "Nothing. Just wait for my orders."

Aria's world narrowed to a single, terrifying thought: her brother's life hung in the balance, and Viktor held the reins.

Viktor's eyes locked onto Aria's, his gaze piercing as he bent down, his face inches from hers. Aria stood frozen, her mind reeling from the shock.

"So, may I have your answer now?" Viktor's voice was low, husky, and menacing.

Aria's voice trembled with rage. "You're blackmailing me? This is a cheap trick."

Viktor's expression remained unyielding, his eyes glinting with a cold intensity. Suddenly, he grasped her wrist, lifting her off the ground. Aria pounded his back, struggling to break free. "Let me go, you coward!"

But Viktor's grip only tightened. He strode toward a nearby room, Aria kicking and flailing in his grasp. The room was small, with a single bed and a bridal dress laid out on it. Viktor tossed Aria onto the bed, his eyes flashing with warning.

"There's your dress. Don't keep me waiting. The servants will help you get ready."

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Don't force me to harm your loved ones. Remember, I'm not forgiving."

With that, Viktor turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him. Aria lay on the bed, her heart racing, her mind reeling with the impossible choice she faced.

Aria lay numb, her mind paralyzed by the impossible choice. "Why always me, God?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

Just then, a soft voice spoke, "Sometimes life takes you to a point where you need to make tough decisions, but who knows God's will?"

Aria turned to face the speaker, an older woman with a kind face and a hint of wisdom in her eyes. The woman approached Aria, gently helping her to her feet.

"For your own good, I'm begging you, please do as he says," the woman urged, her voice laced with concern.

Aria looked at her, confusion etched on her face. "Who are you?"

The woman's expression turned solemn. "I'm the grand lady, the master of servants. I've worked for him since he was a child, and I know him better than anyone. Trust me, child, you don't want to cross him."

Aria's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "And what if I don't?" she asked, her voice steady.

The woman's face turned pale, her eyes filled with a deep-seated fear. "Then you'll regret it for the rest of your life. He's a living devil, child. He does what he says, and he won't hesitate to hurt those you love. Please, wear the dress and go. Don't make him wait."

Aria stood frozen, her mind racing with the impossible choice. The old lady's words hung in the air, a desperate plea to avoid Viktor's wrath.

Just then, a knock at the door shattered the silence. Viktor's deep, commanding voice sent a shiver down Aria's spine. "You're running out of time. If you're not dressed, I'll be coming in."

The old lady's eyes widened in panic as she rushed to respond. "Master, it's done. Just her hair needs to be styled."

She grasped Aria's shoulders, her eyes begging her to make a wise decision. "Please, child, don't test his patience. He won't hesitate to hurt you."

Aria shook off the old lady's grip and marched to the door, flinging it open. Viktor stood tall, his piercing gaze sweeping over her.

"If I marry you, will you leave my brother alone and never bother him again?" Aria demanded, her voice shaking with desperation.

Viktor's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. He turned to the old lady, his voice dripping with menace. "Only her hair is left..."

Aria's hands shot out, grasping Viktor's shoulders as she pleaded with him. "Tell me, will you?"

Viktor's voice was icy, his words dripping with malice. "I guess you still don't understand. If you don't marry me right now, your brother will suffer greatly. But if you do, I'll leave him alone. It's simple."

He shrugged off Aria's grasp, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And as a bonus, I'll even pay for your brother's admission to Harvard University. Wasn't that your dream?"

Aria's eyes widened in shock, her face pale. She was too stunned to respond.

Viktor's smile grew wider as he pulled out his phone. "Brazo, proceed with the plan."

He turned the phone's screen to face Aria, and she screamed as she saw her brother being beaten, blood streaming down his face. "No, please! Leave him alone! I'm begging you!"

Viktor's expression turned cold, his voice dripping with venom. "You've tested my patience for the last time. No one has ever made me wait this long. You'll pay the price for that, and it will cost you a life."

Aria's world came crashing down around her, her heart shattering into a million pieces.

Aria collapsed to her knees, her eyes streaming with tears as she begged Viktor for mercy. "Please, leave him alone! Just leave him! I'll do whatever you want, just please..."

Her voice cracked as she heard her brother's cries growing fainter, and she felt her heart shattering into a million pieces.

Viktor's voice was cold, detached, as he spoke into the phone. "Brazo, stop."

He hung up, his eyes glinting with triumph as he bent down to meet Aria's gaze. "I think you understand your task. I'm waiting for you in the church. You have 10 minutes."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aria shattered, broken, and helpless.

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