Main Characters:

Male Lead (ML): Alexander Knight (36) – A powerful businessman accused of his first wife’s murder. He has a twisted past, and his own family has abandoned him, fearing his darkness.

Female Lead (FL): Isabella Reed (19) – A college student from a middle-class family, forced to marry Alexander due to a mysterious contract between their families. She is strong-willed, independent, and dreams of a normal life.

Supporting Characters:

Richard Knight (ML’s father) – The head of the Knight family who disowned his son.

Eleanor Knight (ML’s first wife, deceased) – A woman with secrets of her own.

Sophia Reed (FL’s younger sister) – The only person Isabella truly loves and protects.

Detective Harris – A relentless investigator trying to prove Alexander killed his first wife.

Damian Cross (ML’s right-hand man) – The only person who has stayed loyal to Alexander.

Professor Hayes – A kind professor at Isabella’s college who helps her.

Victor Stone – A rich playboy at college who takes interest in Isabella.

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The grand hall of the Knight Estate was draped in ominous silence. The chandeliers cast golden light over the polished marble floors, reflecting a world that Isabella Reed never thought she would be part of. The air smelled of roses and aged whiskey, a scent of power and old money, yet there was something darker beneath it—an unseen weight pressing down on her chest.

She wasn’t supposed to be here.

Yet, tonight, she was standing in front of a man everyone feared—the man she was now forced to marry.

Alexander Knight.

A man accused of murdering his first wife.

A man whose past was riddled with secrets that sent chills through the city.

A man whose very presence made the air still.

Isabella stood frozen as her father, William Reed, nudged her forward. Her mother was beside him, tears silently streaking down her face, yet she said nothing. They had sold her off, and she knew there was no way out.

The murmurs of guests echoed in the dimly lit room. No one dared to look at the groom directly. Alexander Knight was not a man to be questioned—his power stretched beyond wealth.

He stood at the altar in an all-black suit, his tall frame imposing, his features carved like stone. His sharp blue eyes met hers for the first time, and her breath caught in her throat. There was no warmth in them, no flicker of emotion. He was unreadable.

A stranger.

Her soon-to-be husband.

The officiant cleared his throat and began the ceremony, his voice trembling slightly. "Do you, Isabella Reed, take Alexander Knight as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Her heart pounded. The walls felt like they were closing in. This wasn’t a wedding. It was a contract. A cage.

Her fingers trembled as she whispered, "I do."

Alexander didn't react. His gaze remained cold, detached.

"And do you, Alexander Knight, take Isabella Reed as your lawfully wedded wife?"

A tense silence followed. The entire room held its breath, waiting.

He didn’t answer immediately.

He merely looked at her—long and deep, as if assessing something within her. A moment stretched into eternity before his voice finally cut through the silence.

"I do."

The words were clipped, emotionless. A promise with no warmth.

The officiant sighed in relief and quickly announced them husband and wife. Isabella barely registered the words. No kiss. No touch.

Just the cold, suffocating presence of her new husband beside her.

The ceremony ended swiftly, and before she could even process what had happened, she was whisked into a black Rolls Royce, alone with him.

The inside of the car smelled of leather and something expensive. She dared to glance at him, expecting him to say something—anything.

But Alexander didn’t look at her.

His gaze was fixed outside the window, his fingers resting against his chin, lost in thought.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, she spoke. "Why did you agree to this marriage?"

He turned his head slowly, his gaze pinning her in place. "Because your family owed me something."

Her throat went dry. "What?"

"You’ll find out soon enough."

That was all he said before turning back to the window.

And just like that, the weight of the silent vow settled between them.

---

End of Chapter 1

Question for Readers:

If you were in Isabella’s place, would you try to escape this forced marriage, or would you try to uncover Alexander’s secrets first? Why?

The Rolls Royce glided through the darkened city streets, silent except for the soft hum of the engine. Isabella sat stiffly, her hands clenched together in her lap, her mind a storm of confusion.

She had just married Alexander Knight, a man she barely knew, yet feared. The entire world whispered his name with caution, but now, she was the one bound to him.

Her throat was dry as she stole a glance at him. The man beside her was unreadable. His sharp jawline, icy blue eyes, and the sheer authority he exuded made it impossible to breathe easily.

She swallowed hard before finally breaking the silence.

"Where are we going?"

Alexander didn’t turn to look at her. His fingers tapped lazily against the window, his gaze focused on the city lights flashing past.

"Home."

The word felt foreign. His home, not hers.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “And after that?”

This time, he looked at her. The intensity in his gaze made her stomach tighten.

"You do whatever you want."

She frowned. "What does that mean?"

He exhaled, slow and measured, before speaking again. "I don’t care what you do. You can go to college, live your life, pretend this marriage doesn’t exist. But…"

He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping to something more dangerous.

"You will never speak of our marriage to anyone. Ever."

A shiver ran down her spine.

She should have been relieved that he wasn’t demanding anything from her. That he wasn’t forcing her into some twisted marriage dynamic.

But his complete indifference? It was unsettling.

The car pulled up to a massive, gated estate. It wasn’t a home—it was a fortress. Tall black iron gates, surveillance cameras at every corner, and an eerie silence that made the mansion feel haunted.

The driver opened her door, and she hesitated before stepping out.

The night air was cold against her skin, but the real chill came from the emptiness of this place.

Alexander walked ahead, his footsteps eerily quiet.

She followed, her heart pounding, until they reached the entrance. The doors swung open without a sound.

The inside was as grand as she expected—high ceilings, expensive artwork, pristine floors—yet it felt… lifeless.

No warmth. No family.

No sign that someone truly lived here.

Alexander didn’t stop walking, heading straight toward a set of stairs. "Your room is the last one down the hall. My staff will get you anything you need."

She blinked. "And… you?"

He paused, turning back slightly. His expression was unreadable.

"We don’t need to cross paths unless necessary."

A strange emotion twisted in her chest. Relief? Confusion? She wasn’t sure.

But one thing was clear—her husband wanted nothing to do with her.

Yet, as she made her way to her room, a nagging feeling settled deep inside her.

She was married to a man who had secrets buried in the dark.

And sooner or later, those secrets would find her.

---

End of Chapter 2

Question for Readers:

If you were Isabella, would you try to uncover Alexander’s secrets, or would you stay away from him and live your life freely? Why?

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Isabella blinked against the light, momentarily forgetting where she was.

Then it hit her.

She was in Alexander Knight’s mansion.

His wife.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

She sat up, taking in the massive bedroom—far too large for one person. Everything was luxurious yet cold, just like the man who owned it.

A soft knock on the door startled her.

"Come in," she said hesitantly.

A woman, probably in her late forties, stepped inside. Dressed in a neat black uniform, she carried a silver tray with breakfast. "Good morning, Mrs. Knight. My name is Margaret. I’ll be taking care of your needs."

Mrs. Knight.

The title felt foreign.

"I—thank you," Isabella muttered, still overwhelmed.

Margaret placed the tray on the nightstand and hesitated before speaking again. "If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask."

Isabella nodded, but before she could say anything, Margaret added in a quieter tone, "This house… it has many ears, Miss. Be careful."

A chill crawled up Isabella’s spine.

"What do you mean?" she asked, but Margaret merely bowed her head and left.

The words haunted her.

This house has many ears.

Was she being watched?

She shook off the uneasy feeling and decided to focus on the one thing she could control—going to college.

She got ready quickly, choosing a simple outfit—jeans and a blouse. If no one could know about her marriage, she had to act normal.

The moment Isabella stepped onto campus, the air felt different.

Everything was the same, yet she wasn’t.

Her friends, unaware of her secret, greeted her like always. The normalcy felt almost comforting.

But then, she felt it.

A presence.

A weight pressing against her back, like someone was watching.

She turned her head, scanning the crowd, but saw nothing unusual.

It was just paranoia… right?

As she walked toward her first class, a familiar voice called out.

"Isabella!"

She turned to see Victor Stone—tall, charismatic, and one of the most popular guys in college.

He grinned, stepping closer. "You disappeared for a few days. Thought you got kidnapped or something."

Her stomach twisted at the irony.

She forced a small laugh. "Just family stuff."

Victor’s sharp gaze flickered over her. "You okay? You look different."

Her breath hitched. Did he suspect something?

Before she could answer, a black SUV pulled up near the gates.

Her heart stopped.

She knew that car.

The windows were tinted, but she could feel it—someone was inside, watching her.

Watching who she talked to.

Victor followed her gaze. "Damn. Who drives around in something like that?" He chuckled. "Looks like mafia shit."

Isabella’s pulse quickened.

She needed to get away.

"See you later, Victor," she mumbled before hurrying toward her class.

The entire way, she felt it.

The weight of unseen eyes.

Someone was always watching.

She stormed into the house, her heart pounding in frustration.

Alexander was waiting in the living room, seated on an expensive leather couch, a glass of whiskey in hand. His suit jacket was off, his sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms.

He looked up lazily as she entered. "You’re back early."

She glared at him. "You had me followed."

His expression didn’t change. "Of course."

Her fists clenched. "You said I could live my life."

"I did," he said smoothly, taking a sip of his drink. "But I never said I wouldn’t be watching."

Her pulse pounded. "You had no right—"

"I have every right," he cut her off, his voice suddenly dark.

She froze.

He stood up, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps.

"You are my wife, Isabella," he murmured, stopping just inches from her. "That means you are mine to protect. Whether you like it or not."

She swallowed hard.

His words should have felt like a threat.

But instead… her heart betrayed her.

It skipped a beat.

And for the first time, she wondered—was she afraid of him… or something else entirely?

---

End of Chapter 3

Question for Readers:

Would you feel comforted or suffocated if someone like Alexander was silently protecting you, even without your knowledge? Why?