CW: Abuse

At Chiyo's house

"Are you truly ready to marry Mr. Lucian? You're not angry that you can't marry your boyfriend because of this situation?"

The speaker, an Alpha woman with striking white hair, stood casually near Chiyo's bedroom door, her body language relaxed as she leaned against the wall. She was dressed in a sleek, tight-fitting business suit.

Chiyo was sitting on his bed, dressed in cute pajamas. "Yes, I am ready to get married. And because of this marriage, you will secure a significant profit for the business. Besides, I don't want to marry Chen."

He replied evenly, his attention focused on the notes he was writing in his textbook. He was, after all, a university student.

"Chiyo," she pressed, a hint of concern in her tone. "Don't you feel sad that because of me and my business needs, you're going to marry Mr. Lucian?"

Chiyo looked up and smiled gently. "I am happy, Emi. Don't worry about me."

Chiyo, at 22, was a university student. His older sister, Emi, was a capable Alpha. They had tragically lost their parents in a car accident, leaving the two siblings alone. As the elder, Emi had taken over their family business. Although their company was relatively small, she managed it well.

For years, Chiyo's ex-boyfriend Chen's family had provided a consistent stream of funding to Emi's company.

The driving force behind this marriage was Lucian's grandfather, the influential chairman of the powerful Han Group. He had promised to provide a substantial fund for Emi's company—five times the amount they were currently receiving—if Chiyo agreed to the union. This promise was why Emi had approached Chiyo, and why Chiyo had agreed to the marriage immediately.

Chiyo understood their precarious financial situation; his sister had struggled for years to manage the business despite their difficulties. More importantly, they were in no position to refuse. Rejecting the proposal was impossible because of the sheer power of the Han Group. If they said no, Lucian's grandfather, the chairman, would not hesitate to financially ruin them.

"My little brother is truly grown up now," Emi murmured, rushing forward to hug Chiyo tightly.

The next day, after his classes finished, Chiyo was walking around the university campus. He spotted Chen standing on a lawn with a group of friends. As soon as Chen saw Chiyo approach, he subtly signaled for his friends to leave.

Chen moved forward quickly and slid his hand possessively onto Chiyo's shoulder. "Babe, you're finally here! I missed you so much. I didn't see you all day yesterday."

Chiyo tried to force a smile, but his entire body began to shake the moment Chen's hand touched him. Unable to speak, he simply stood there, utterly quiet.

"By the way, babe," Chen continued, his voice dropping. "I heard you're getting married next week. Your sister even contacted me and told me to leave you alone. Can you explain that to me?"

Chiyo's heart skipped a beat, and his face instantly turned pale. When he dared to glance up, he was met with Chen's serious and chillingly cold expression. Chiyo was now shaking like a leaf.

"Babe, do you want to break up with me and immediately get married? Are you going to leave me?" Chen asked again, his grip tightening.

Chiyo was unable to speak. They had been dating for years, and Chen had always been possessive, a trait Chiyo had initially dismissed as deep affection. However, Chen's true nature had surfaced dramatically in the last year. He had become abusive and escalated his possessiveness to the point where Chiyo was forbidden from speaking to anyone else.

Finally, Chiyo had mustered up the courage to end the relationship, knowing the breakup would impact his sister's business. He simply couldn't endure the torment anymore.

But when he broke up with Chen, the man had lost it. Chen had held Chiyo captive for a week, assaulting him. After that horrific week, they didn't officially reconcile, but Chen behaved as if nothing had happened, simply resuming their relationship as a couple.

Chiyo had been forced to play along. He knew his only path to safety was the upcoming marriage. Once he was married, Chen wouldn't dare interfere, as Lucian was no ordinary Alpha—he was the next successor to the Han Group. Chiyo believed he would at least be safe under Lucian's protection.

"No, it's not like that," Chiyo replied, his gaze still fixed on the ground.

"Really, then say no to this marriage," Chen challenged. "Because I want to marry you, and you want the same, right?"

"Yes, I will," Chiyo lied, desperation fueling the words. He knew that if Chen discovered the truth—that Chiyo had used the marriage as an escape—the consequences would be terrifying. He was too afraid to face that.

"Okay, let's go to my house," Chen said, starting to walk.

Chiyo suddenly stopped, forcing Chen to halt as well. "Actually," Chiyo mumbled, avoiding eye contact, "Emi called me home sooner today, so I can't come to your house."

Chen instantly removed his hand from Chiyo's shoulder. He turned Chiyo to face him, cupping his face gently with both hands. "You are not lying to me, are you?" Chen asked, his gaze intense.

Chiyo nervously shook his head in denial.

Satisfied, Chen dropped his hands. They resumed walking and left the university grounds. A sleek black car was parked directly in front of the main gate.

"Get inside. I'll drop you home," Chen said, licking his lips slowly, his eyes lingering on Chiyo.

Chiyo stared at Chen, his eyes wide with terror, but as Chen slid into the driver's seat, Chiyo knew he had no choice. He got into the car, fastened his seat belt, and Chen immediately began to drive.

Even while driving, Chen kept one hand clamped tightly, squeezing Chiyo's thigh. "Release some of your pheromones for me," Chen commanded, not taking his eyes off the road. "I want to feel at ease."

Obeying the order, Chiyo released his naturally soothing Omega pheromones. However, because Chen was not a dominant Alpha, he found the scent only moderately comforting.

As an Elite Omega, Chiyo's potent pheromones were specifically attuned to calm and influence Dominant Alphas—not ordinary Alphas like Chen.

The grip of Chen’s hand on Chiyo’s thigh suddenly became punishingly tight, as if he intended to bury his fingers deep into Chiyo’s skin.

"A-aah... Chen, it's hurting! Please stop!" Chiyo cried out. He tried desperately to pull Chen's fingers away, but Chen’s strength was far superior, and he couldn't free himself.

A few minutes later, Chen finally released his hand. "Babe, are you hungry?" he asked sweetly, the sudden change in tone jarring. "Should we eat something before I drop you home?"

Chiyo was silently crying beside him, his thigh throbbing with stinging pain. Yet, Chen behaved as if nothing had happened, completely unaffected by his own abusive actions.