Engaged But Conquered

The moment the gunfight broke out, I saw Marco's choice.

He didn't rush to me...

The rival gang's armored vehicle destroyed the entire wedding venue. Armed men jumped out and opened fire everywhere. Marco's first reaction was to grab Isabella.

He held her in his arms and ran toward the safe house.

And I just stood there, stupidly waiting for my fiancé to save me.

Bullets sparked off the stone pillars.

He didn't even look back at me.

Just when I thought I was going to die there, a strong arm suddenly pulled me aside.

Victor Gray.

He held a gun in one hand, firing back, while protecting me with the other.

"This way!" he growled.

We rushed toward a hidden entrance on the side of the estate. Behind us, Marco and Isabella had already disappeared into the main building.

"Get down!" Victor pushed open a heavy iron door, revealing a passage leading underground.

I stumbled down, and he followed right behind, quickly locking the entrance.

Inside the safe house.

I leaned against the wall, breathing hard, my heart pounding.

"The attack should be over soon," Victor said, checking his weapon. "We're safest if we stay here."

In that life-or-death moment just now, he was the one who saved my life.

Not my fiancé.

This supposedly cold-blooded bodyguard.

"You've... been through a lot, haven't you?"

I walked toward Victor, looking at the old scars visible beneath his shirt. As he unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves to check his weapon, I saw what a perfect body this was.

His arms were hard-lined, muscles solid, like the perfect proportions forged through real combat. The white shirt clung to his broad chest, rising and falling with his breathing, impossible to look away from.

My heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and my mouth went dry.

He stopped loading bullets and looked up at me. "Comes with the job."

In this dim light, his gray eyes were unfathomable.

"About earlier... thank you."

"You're the young master's fiancée. Protecting you is my duty."

Just then, the door at another entrance was pushed open.

Marco rushed in with Isabella in his arms, both looking panicked.

"Oh my God!" Isabella screamed, clinging to Marco. "They were trying to kill us!"

Marco gently stroked her hair. "It's okay, baby. I'll protect you."

I silently watched this disgusting scene.

"Marco," I called his name calmly.

Only then did he remember I existed, looking over awkwardly. "Elena... are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I pointed at Victor. "Thanks to him."

Marco's face flushed, but his attention was quickly diverted by Isabella's whining.

"I was so scared, Marco," she said loudly on purpose. "I told you this arranged marriage bride would bring you trouble. Look, now even rival gangs are coming after us."

As she said this, her eyes looked at me provocatively.

Not only did Marco not contradict her, he actually nodded in agreement. "You're right. This marriage alliance is really troublesome."

Troublesome?

I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Isabella's right," I said calmly. "This is just an arranged marriage. Maybe I'll never get real love."

Isabella smiled smugly. "At least you know. Marco, I'm feeling warm—can you help me cool off?"

She deliberately displayed their intimacy in front of me, and Marco immediately leaned over to gently fan her.

"Can't even get her own man's attention," Isabella mocked, looking at me. "How pathetic."

Marco kissed Isabella's forehead right in front of me.

Just then, my necklace broke, pearls scattering across the floor.

I crouched down to collect them, but the light was too dim.

Victor silently walked over and knelt on one knee to help me.

"Is it important?" he asked softly.

"My mother's keepsake."

As he reached out to pick up the pearls, his fingers accidentally brushed the inside of my wrist.

In that instant, an electric current exploded from the point of contact, spreading through my veins to my entire body.

I gasped, almost making a sound.

This was wrong!

He was Marco's man, and I was Marco's fiancée...

But my body's instinct betrayed my reason.

That burning sensation from the touch made my soul feel hot.

I didn't pull my hand away. Instead, I let it linger, my skin brushing against his through the thin lace of my glove, wanting more of his warmth. As he fixed my necklace, every time his fingers grazed the back of my neck, I felt a guilty shiver run down my spine.

Three months ago, Marco and I were still planning our post-wedding life. Until Isabella's appearance changed everything.

Watching them together, thinking about the alliance between our two families...

I finally understood—I was just a dispensable pawn in this marriage game.

When Isabella went to the bathroom in the corner, she left her phone behind. The screen lit up.

I accidentally saw a message from Marco:

[Baby, just bear with it for a few more months. Once the family alliance is stable, we can go public. Elena is just a necessary nuisance.]

And intimate photos from last night's sex.

So that's how it is.

Humiliation washed over me like a tide, but what followed wasn't tears—it was an almost insane sense of liberation.

I was sick of being that obedient, compliant doll!

Since they treated me like a disposable tool, why should I keep pretending to be virtuous?

If Marco could betray me, why couldn't I fall from grace?

I watched Victor skillfully loading bullets and suddenly made a decision.

"Can you teach me how to use this?" I actively walked toward him, my voice huskier than expected.

He looked at me with surprise. "Why?"

"Obviously, a woman nobody cherishes needs to learn to protect herself."

In the narrow space by the weapon rack, he stood behind me, instructing me on how to hold the gun.

I could smell the hormonal scent on him, that beast-like smell that made the inside of my thighs start to heat up.

His chest pressed tightly against my back, the contours of his pectoral muscles distinctly felt.

I realized my nipples were hardening beneath my thin bra.

"Index finger outside the trigger guard."

His breath swept across my earlobe.

I deliberately leaned back tighter, feeling every inch of muscle on his body.

My hips inadvertently rubbed against his groin, feeling a noticeable reaction that made my heart race.