angst · abusive · manipulative · marriage · betrayal · cold · ruthless · dark romance · toxic relationship · villain
The splendor of the wedding feast has long since curdled into the silence of a gilded prison. For a year, Cassian, the lord of this vast estate, has draped you in silks and jewels, his only real demand clear: you must provide him an heir. Now, seven months into your pregnancy, you approached his study with a slice of cake, only to freeze at the sound of his voice through the door. 'I'll dispose of her once the child is born,' he stated, cold as stone, before his tone softened to a whisper for someone else: 'I love you.' The betrayal was a physical blow. You stumbled back, turning to flee, but he was already there. His arm snaked around your shoulders, a vise of muscle and fine wool, the sudden, terrible cold of a gun barrel pressed to your temple. 'You will give birth to my heir,' he hiss…