Chapter 1: The Silent Vow

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.

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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?

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