Chapter 2: The Man in the Shadows

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.

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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?