Anna stood before the mirror in her white dress. The bouquet of wildflowers trembled in her hands, her heart pounding so loudly it seemed the whole room could hear. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and yet the guests would never guess the truth. To them, she was a radiant bride. But Anna knew—her tears weren’t of joy.

Her family had been on the edge of ruin. A sick father, endless debts, the constant shadow of poverty. She had no choice but to sacrifice herself. Viktor, a wealthy older man with silver hair, had offered her a way out. His proposal came not from love, but from the certainty that her “yes” would bind her forever.

A Wedding Without Happiness

The candles flickered in the village church, illuminating Viktor’s stern face. His gray hair shimmered in the light, making him appear even older. When Anna whispered her trembling “I do,” it felt like each word tore itself from her soul. Viktor slipped the golden band onto her finger with a smile, never noticing that her tears were not of happiness but of despair.

The guests applauded, believing they had witnessed a touching moment. But Anna knew the bitter truth: her marriage was a transaction, a desperate attempt to save her family.

After the ceremony, Viktor led her to his city mansion—a vast villa of marble floors, vaulted ceilings, and servants who bowed at her every step. To Anna, it was not a palace, but a prison. She felt lost in its cold corridors, her village shoes suddenly ridiculous on its polished stone.

The First Night

When night fell, Viktor guided her to her chamber. His words were brief:
— Get used to it. This is your life now.

Anna shut the door, collapsing onto the bed. Her eyes burned from tears, yet sleep would not come. Thoughts of her sister Elena, who had hugged her at the altar, haunted her. She had sacrificed love for duty, but deep down she feared the cost would be unbearable.

Then—a sound broke the silence. The steady trickle of water. At first soft, then louder, as if a stream ran through the walls. Anna froze. Viktor had gone into the bathroom, but he had been gone far too long.

Fear Creeping In

Her heart raced. Was he unwell? He wasn’t young—what if something had happened? Gathering courage, she slipped on a robe and walked barefoot into the dark corridor. A thin strip of light glowed beneath the bathroom door.

She hesitated. Her hand hovered over the handle. What if he needs help? she thought. And yet, dread coiled in her chest.

She opened the door.

What Anna saw nearly made her faint.

Viktor stood before the mirror. But this was not the weary old man she had seen during the ceremony. His eyes blazed with a chilling sharpness, his face twisted in a strange grimace. In his hand gleamed a small metallic object.

The water gushed behind him, but Anna’s gaze was locked on his expression. Those eyes held no kindness, no warmth—only a dark, unsettling secret.

The Unveiling

Viktor slowly turned to her.
— You must understand, Anna, he said in a low voice. This house has its rules. And if you break them… you will regret it.

Her blood ran cold. The truth she had refused to imagine was unfolding before her eyes. This was no marriage of salvation—it was a descent into a dangerous game with a man she barely knew.

Anna realized then: her life had changed forever. The wedding was not an end, but the beginning of a nightmare.