I barely stepped off the train when a hand grabbed my arm. A man I didn’t know pulled me close and whispered, “From now on, you’ll be my woman. ” I shoved him back, my heart hammering. “I’m a married woman,” I snapped.
“You know who my husband is? ” He just smiled, slow and dangerous. “Who? ” “Terry Nash—the tyrant of Zuruland.
” His smile didn’t falter. “I’m Terry Nash. ””And you’re coming with me. ”
I’d come to the city for one reason: Grandma needed 500 grand for surgery.
My father had promised the money, but nothing about him had ever been simple. He’d sent me to the countryside years ago, right after my mother died, and I’d barely seen him since. Now I stood in his fancy living room while my stepmother inspected me like I was for sale. “Violet, what are you doing here?
” she asked, cold as ice. “I’m here for Grandma’s surgery fee. 500 grand. ” “500 grand?
” she laughed. “That dress alone is enough to save Grandma. This house and the company were left to my mom, but after she passed, you two took everything. So 500 grand isn’t too much.
” My father sighed theatrically. “Violet, since I promised you, I’ll give it to you. The company’s short on cash now. Just stay a few days.
I’ll write you a check later. ” They locked me in the maid’s room that night. I heard them through the walls. “Dad, are you really giving Violet 500 grand?
” Thea, my stepsister, whined. “The company really is short on cash. Someone’s very interested in her. She’s worth a lot of money.
”
I didn’t wait for them to sell me. The next morning I slipped out and found work at a hotel. The manager looked me over, nose wrinkled. “You’re from the countryside?
Just get out. Our hotel won’t hire you. ” “Why not? ” “You’re a bumpkin who reeks of poverty.
Working with you will ruin our image. ” I stood my ground. “Madam, I can quit, but don’t look down on rural folks. I never steal anything.
I earn a living with my own hands. ” She raised her hand to slap me—when the doors swung open. “Mr. Nash is here.
” The whole lobby snapped to attention. And in walked the same man from the train. He saw me, smiled, and the manager turned pale. “Please spare us, Mr.
Nash. ” He ignored her, walked up to me, and pulled out a contract. “I want to acquire your hotel. ” The manager signed without reading it.
Then he handed me the deed. “What are you doing? ” I asked. “I’m giving this hotel to you.
Now you’re the boss. I don’t want my woman working for someone else. ” “I don’t want your stuff. ” He grinned.
“As long as you marry me, all my money is yours. ”
That’s when Hayden showed up. My childhood friend, the man I’d loved for years, the man who’d once saved me from a wolf. “Violet, why didn’t you tell me about Grandma?
” He pressed a card into my hand. “There’s 500 grand on this card. Just take it. ” His eyes were warm the way I remembered.
“Violet, will you marry me? ” I said yes without thinking. We planned a wedding that night. But at the altar the next day, Hayden wasn’t there.
Instead, a middle-aged man named Mr. Mason waited at the front. My father stood beside him, grinning like a salesman. “Violet, do you really think I’d give you 500 grand?
It’s all because Mr. Mason is interested in you. He’ll give us 5 million to marry you. ” Thea smirked.
“You’re just a bumpkin. How dare you covet Caden? You and Mr. Mason are perfect match.
” I tried to run, but his men grabbed me. They gagged me and dragged me to the front. Mr. Mason reached for me—when a dozen cars screeched up outside.
Terry Nash strode through the doors like he owned the place. He looked at my father, then at Mr. Mason, then at me, tied and shaking. “Why are you being bullied again?
” The whole room frozen. “Dad, this is Terry Nash. He’s Terry Nash? ” My father stammered, “Mr.
Nash? Violet is my daughter. What’s your relationship with her? ” Terry didn’t look at him.
He looked at me. “Tell them. Tell them your husband is Terry Nash. Now.
Say it out loud. ” I swallowed. “My husband is Terry Nash. ” The room exploded into whispers.
Terry grabbed my father by the collar. “Get on your knees. How dare you bully my woman? Am I invisible?
” He shoved him down. Then he turned to me. “Babe, it’s time to get married. ” I pulled free.
“Mr. Nash, I appreciate your help, but I can’t marry you. We are from two different worlds. ” He tilted his head.
“Well, welcome to my world. ” “Marriage is about two people in love building a life together. I don’t love you. ” “It doesn’t matter.
I love you, and that’s enough. ” Before I could argue, my head spun, and everything went black. I woke up in a hospital. Grandma had collapsed.
I ran back to her village, my heart pounding. She clutched my hand, face gray. “Violet, I’ve always taught you to be honest and kind. You must be decent.
Your dad didn’t give you the money. So you got with that tyrant to pay for my surgery, right? I’m so useless. Just let me die.
” She grabbed her chest and collapsed. I screamed for the doctor. They stabilized her, but the surgery fee still hung over us. I had no money, no options, no time.
That’s when Terry showed up in our village with a truckload of air conditioners. He handed them out to every family, then announced he was investing 200 million into local schools and roads. The villagers cheered. My grandma looked at him with new eyes.
“He’s clearly a saint, Violet. Not some kind of tyrant. ” He knelt beside her with surprising gentleness. “Sherry, I run a business empire, but it’s a lawful world now.
I only do legit stuff. That guy Hayden has already dumped Violet. I like her. Please let me marry her.
” She laughed, weak but warm. “Well, this guy looks so scary. He doesn’t smile. ” “I never smile.
It’s not cool. ” “Come on. Smile for Sherry. ” He forced one.
She patted his hand. “He’s a good man, Violet. ”
But I still didn’t trust him. I slipped away that night, heading for the hospital.
Hayden met me outside, eyes all soft and apologetic. “Violet, I got into a car accident. I wanted to be at the wedding. Please give me another shot.
” My heart twisted. “Don’t you remember? When we were kids, a wolf got loose and I killed it. I saved you.
” Terry’s voice cut through: “Take your hands off her. ” He walked between us, eyes dark. “So you’re Hayden? Kneel.
” Hayden dropped. “Mr. Nash, please have mercy. Just hit me instead.
” Terry’s fist smashed into his face. I screamed, “I like Caden. I don’t like you. Stop bothering me.
” Terry went still. Then he smiled, slow and horrible. “Believe it or not, I will kill him first. Then I’ll capture you and chain you to my bed.
I’ll punish you day and night. ” I stared at him. “Your love is just domination and possession. You don’t know love at all.
” Something flickered in his eyes. Then he laughed, bitter and sharp. “Violet, well said. Don’t think I can’t live without you.
Don’t expect me to come for you again. ” He turned and walked away, his men trailing behind. I stood there, shaking, not sure if I felt relief or loss. Then Hayden grabbed my arm, voice urgent.
“Violet, I’ve got the money. Let’s go get Grandma’s surgery done. ” But something was wrong. He kept checking his phone, smiling at the screen each time.
I looked over his shoulder one time and saw text messages to Thea, my stepsister. “Did you handle it? ” “That fool Violet had a fall out with Mr. Nash.
Now she’s waiting at the hospital for the surgery fee. Let her wait. Wait till the old hag dies. ” Hayden replied:“I’ve been suspecting you for a while.
In the hospital, I played it cool because I wanted to see your true colors. Turns out you’re in cahoots with Thea. ”
I confronted him right there. His face crumpled.
“It’s because I thought I killed that wolf and saved you,” I said. “But I’ve got the wrong guy. You lied to me. ” He didn’t even deny it.
“Violet, you’re just a bumpkin. You aren’t good enough for me. It’s a pity we didn’t sell you off at the wedding. ” He walked away without looking back.
I stood in the hospital corridor, alone, heartshattered. I ran the truth home to Grandma—and realized the kid who’d saved me wasn’t Hayden at all. I remembered it suddenly: dusty road, a wolf’s glowing eyes, a boy with wild hair who’d thrown himself in front of me. He’d been bleeding.
He’d said, “No one in this world loves me at all. I feel so lonely. I might as well die. ” And I’d grabbed his hand.
“Dude, if no one loves you in this world, I will love you. Pinky promise. I will always love you. ” He’d had a birthmark shaped like a plum blossom on his neck.
A birthmark I’d seen recently, on Terry Nash. I gasped. Terry was the boy. Terry had saved me all those years ago.
And I’d thrown him away over a lie. I ran to the hospital to find Grandma, but she wasn’t there. A orderly told me she’d been moved. “Your grandma has been taken away by my boss.
” I stormed into Terry’s mansion hours later. He sat in his study, waiting like he knew I’d come. “Where’s my grandma? ” “Just beg me.
” “Why should I beg you? ” “Because your grandma is in my hands. She’s my only family left. ” “So you have to beg me.
” I ground my teeth. “Fine. I’m begging you. ” “Is that how you beg me?
” He stood, walked toward me. “What I want is very simple. I want you. Beg me in my bed.
” “No. ” “Then you’ll never see your grandma again. ” I stared at him,ned my jaw. Then I said, low and clear:“I know who you are.
You saved me from a wolf when I was little. You had a birthmark shaped like a plum blossom. You told me no one loved you. And I promised I would love you.
” His face went slack. “What? ” “I’m the girl you saved. I’m the one who made you pinky promise.
I’ve been looking for you my whole life. And I’ve got the wrong guy this whole time. ” He stared at me, something breaking behind his eyes. Then he said, rough and quiet:“I don’t care who you love right now.
Just stay here with me. I believe you’ll fall in love with me eventually. ” He turned, walked out, and closed the door behind him. That night, his brother Tristan came to my room.
He handed me a boat ticket. “I know you don’t love Terry. You only married him because he threatened you with your grandma. Take this ticket and leave.
I’ll make sure he never finds you. ” I looked at the paper, then back at him. “Why are you doing this? ” “Because he cares about you.
And I’m going to take away everything he cares about until he has nothing left. ” I handed the ticket back. “He might be terrible. But I think you’re even worse.
” He laughed, cold. “Don’t you want to break free from his control and be your own person? ” I shook my head. “Yes, I do want to leave him.
But I won’t work with you. ” His eyes narrowed. Then he smiled, smooth as oil. “Think it over.
I’ll wait for your answer. ”
The next night, he didn’t wait. He had men grab me in the garden and drag me to a waiting car. I heard Terry’s voice through my phone, which Tristan held to his ear:“Violet, you’re my wife.
I won’t let you leave me. I’m coming after you right now. ” Tristan laughed. “Come and get her, then.
If you can. ” He tossed the phone out the window. We raced through dark streets, Tristan’s driver cursing. “Boss, Terry is catching up.
” Tristan snarled,“Drive into the alley. Don’t panic. ” They dragged me into a dead-end alley just as Terry’s car screeched up behind us. He stepped out alone.
Tristan had twelve men. “Listen, my people will make sure you die here. Get him. ” Terry moved like a machine, dropping men left and right.
But they swarmed him, and I saw a knife flash. Terry staggered back, hand pressed to his side, blood darkswelling between his fingers. Tristan stood over him, smiling. “I did it.
You fell right into my trap. You’re so despicable. Terry. You’re your own brother.
Why would you want to kill him? ” “Because he’s my competitor. He has to die. You monster.
” “Violet, you have two choices. First, you both die together. Second, leave him here to die alone, and I’ll let you go. Which one do you pick?
” I looked at him, then at Terry, bleeding on the ground, eyes still on mine. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my old slingshot—the one I’d had since I was a kid. Terry’s eyes widened. I stepped forward, pulled back the strap, and aimed it at Tristan’s head.
“Listen up. I grew up with my grandma in the countryside. I’m really good at hitting moving targets with a slingshot. Don’t move, or you’ll regret it.
” Tristan laughed, nervous now. “You’re a woman. You can’t even—“ I let go. The stone hit him square between the eyes.
He dropped like a sack. His men froze. I walked to Terry, knelt, and pressed my hand over his wound. He grabbed my wrist.
“Why did you come back? I told you to leave. ” “Why should I do what he says? ” I said.
“I want us both to live. ” Something cracked in his face—and then he laughed, weak and rough. “You two seriously flirting right now? ” I looked up.
Tristan had scrambled to his feet, a gun in his hand. He pulled the trigger—
But Terry had already rolled, tackled me down, taking the bullet in the shoulder. He grunted, then slammed Tristan back against the wall. Tristan’s gun skittered away.
From nowhere, Terry’s man Rory appeared with backup. “Boss, Violet called me just in time or something terrible would have happened to you. ” He disarmed Tristan and shoved him down. Terry swayed, blood streaming down his arm, but he grinned at me.
“You called for backup? I told you you’re my woman. You can’t help yourself. ” I grabbed his hand.
“You saved me again. ” “I’m just trying to keep my word, Violet. ” He collapsed into my arms, unconscious. They rushed him to surgery.
For three days, I didn’t leave his side. I held his hand, whispered things I’d never said out loud. “I’ve always loved you. You forgot me.
But I never forgot you. ” When he finally opened his eyes, he stared at me like he was seeing a ghost. “Violet? ” “I’m the girl who made you pinky promise,” I said again, patient this time.
“And I love you. Not because you saved me. Because I see you. The boy who thought no one loved him.
The man who smiled for my grandma even though he never smiles. I’ve been lonely my whole life, too. And I want us both to not be alone anymore. ”
He squeezed my hand, rough and hoarse.
“I love you, Violet. I’ve loved you since the moment you slapped me on the train. ” I laughed, half-crying. “Well, you deserved it.
” “I know. Kiss me. ”
His parents showed up that afternoon, demanding we release Tristan. Terry didn’t even stand.
“He stabbed me and put me in a coma for 3 days. And all you care about is that useless Tristan? What kind of parents are you? ” “Terry, you should let your brother have what he wants and forgive him no matter what.
” “I’ve always done exactly that. And that’s the only reason he’s still alive. But he shouldn’t have dragged my wife into this. I’ll make sure he rots in prison.
” His mother exploded. “Terry, are you out of your mind? How could you send your own brother to jail over some country girl? ” “She’s my wife.
You need to learn how to show her respect. Rory. They’re about to leave. ” His parents were escorted out, still sputtering.
I stared at him. “You actually kicked your own parents out. ” “They never loved me anyway,” he said, quiet. “You’re my family now.
You and Sherry. That’s enough. ” He paused. “I’m going to throw you the grandest wedding this city has ever seen.
”
We did. He invited everyone: the villagers, my grandma, every person who’d ever shown me kindness. Everyone except Hayden and Thea, who showed up anyway, dressed like they owned the place. Thea laughed at my dress.
“That’s Terry’s mom, always favoring her other son. Even though she’s got a pretty face, she’s still just a country girl. ” Terry’s mother sauntered over, voice dripping venom. “You’re standing where the wait staff should be.
There’s no spot for you here. As your daughter-in-law, she should be serving you tea. Attendant. You may serve the tea now.
” I didn’t move. I just looked at her, calm. “Just tell me what you really want. ” “Serve the tea, now.
” Terry appeared at my side, eyes cold. “Get your hands off her. ” “Terry. I am her mother-in-law.
A daughter-in-law serving tea to her mother-in-law is the custom. ” He smiled, slow and terrible. “Would you drink tea this hot? ” He tipped the pot.
Scalding water splashed across her designer dress. She shrieked. He said, soft as silk:“Remember this. From now on, whatever my woman says is the custom.
” He raised his voice. “If any of them disrespects you, teach them a lesson. ” His mother and her cronies went pale. Then my grandma walked in, late,and I ran to hug her.
She pressed a huge jar of candy into Terry’s hands. “Terry. When you crave sweets, come to me. I raised Violet by selling handmade lollipops and cotton candy.
We’ll make sure you can have candy whenever you want. ” He stared at the jar, then at her, something young and raw cracking his face. He said, rough:“Thank you, Sherry. ” She patted his cheek.
“Since you don’t care about Terry, I’ll make sure to take good care of him from now on. ”
The ceremony began. But Felix Gibson, the famous performer Terry had hired, collapsed before he could sing. His mother’s cronies whispered poison:“See?
I told you someone from the countryside like her would only cause trouble. ” I looked at Terry, then at the stage. Then I walked up there myself. I picked up a microphone and sang—the folk song my grandma had taught me, the one I’d sung to the cattle and the fields for years.
The crowd went silent. Then they cheered. Terry’s eyes stayed on me the whole time, soft and hungry. After I finished, he pulled me aside.
“You know, for a state, you can handle a slingshot,andyour singing is amazing. How many secrets are you keeping from me? ” I smiled. “I’m from a small village,anded it’s nothing like the big city, but we’ve got beautiful mountains, rivers, and all kinds of plants and trees that nourish us.
We’re not ashamed of it at all. We’re actually really proud. ” Someone in the crowd shouted, “Bravo. ” Then another.
Then the whole hall was cheering. Terry stood beside me—this terrifying, lonely man who’d saved my life twice—and for the first time, I saw him smile for real, not strained, not forced. Just soft. Like he couldn’t help it.
Afterward, he said, quiet enough that only I could hear:“I can tell you now who I love. ” “So long,” I said. “Do you remember when you killed a wolf to save that little girl? ” His breath caught.
“What? ” “Hey, since you said nobody in this world loves you, then I will. Pinky promise? ” He stared at me—and then he laughed, rough and wet.
“You’re that girl, aren’t you? ” “See? You forgot all about me. ” “I never forgot,” he said, voice cracking.
“I just thought I dreamed you. ” He pulled me close, forehead to forehead. “If nobody in this world loves you, then let me be the one who does. Pinky promise?
” I held up my little finger. He hooked his around mine, gentle as anything. “Honey, I love you. ” “Sweetheart, I love you, too.
”
We stood there, pinkies tangled, while the crowd roared around us. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t lonely anymore. Neither was he.
