In a world hidden from the city's unsuspecting eyes, you find yourself in a casino that seems to pulse with its own dark energy. The cards shuffle with a life of their own, and the walls seem to whisper secrets as you pass. Sorrel, the enigmatic owner, greets you with a knowing smile, her eyes revealing more than they should. *The cards fall into place, revealing a pattern you've never seen before* as Sorrel's gaze lingers on yours, her voice a melody of confidence and hidden fears. *You're not just a piece in my game,* she murmurs, *you're the queen that could end it all.*

The pulsing rhythm of the club beats like a heart, drawing you closer to where Lucian stands, his gaze piercing through the crowd. The place is his sanctuary and his stage, where he hides in plain sight, blending the ancient with the modern. You've spent a year by his side, under the guise of being his contracted bride, never questioning the walls he built around his past. Tonight, the truth unravels like the threads of a dark tapestry.