Chapter 1
Riya held her breath,her heart pounding with fear.
She wanted to run-to escape the wedding hall and the fate waiting for her at the altar. She had tried every possible way to flee before the wedding, but all her efforts had been in vain.
Riya didn't want to marry the man she was about to wed. There were dark, unsettling rumors about his family-the Cruz family.
Every bride who married into that bloodline has died under mysterious circumstances. No cause of death was ever found.
Some said it was a curse. Others whispered that the family murdered their brides.
Whatever the truth was,Riya didn't want any part of it.
She had begged her parents to call off the wedding.Her mother wept beside her,but her father, Daniel,remained unmoved. He was determined to marry her into the Cruz family-a powerful alliance that promised wealth and influence.
Now,with trembling steps,she walked beside him down the aisle.
Leon turned his head as Riya approached. For a moment,he couldn't look away.She was beautiful-fragile, almost ethereal-and her fear was like a cold wind brushing across his skin.
His heart beat faster.
When they reached the altar, Daniel gently placed Riya's hand into Leon's.
"Take care of my daughter,"Daniel said,smiling.
" I will, father,"Leon replied with a polite smile.
Daniel gave a nod of approval and stepped away.
Leon's smile faltered when he looked into Riya's eyes.Her emerald gaze was filled with fear-not the news of a shy bride but real terror.
His chest tightened.
Was she so afraid of him?
