Chapter One — The Marriage

Isabella knew something was wrong the moment her father asked her to sit down.

Her father never asked her to sit down.

Usually, he simply called her name from across the enormous dining room and expected her to come running.

Tonight, however, he was sitting at the head of the table with both hands folded together, his expression unusually serious.

Her mother sat beside him.

Neither of them was eating.

Isabella stopped halfway into the room.

“Papa?”

Her father looked up.

“Come here, Isabella.”

She slowly approached the table.

“Did I do something?”

Her mother immediately looked away.

That made Isabella even more nervous.

She pulled out a chair and sat down.

Her father took a deep breath.

“You're eighteen now.”

Isabella blinked.

“Yes.”

“And you're no longer a child.”

She frowned.

“I know.”

Her father looked at her for a long moment.

Then he said the words that would change her life forever.

“You're getting married.”

Silence.

Isabella stared at him.

Then she laughed.

A small, confused laugh.

“That's not funny, Papa.”

“I wasn't joking.”

Her smile disappeared.

“What?”

Her mother reached for her hand.

“Sweetheart…”

Isabella pulled her hand back.

“No.”

Her heart began beating faster.

“No, no, no. What do you mean I'm getting married?”

Her father remained calm.

“You'll marry Lucas.”

“Lucas who?”

He said the surname.

Isabella's face went pale.

Everyone knew that name.

Lucas was thirty years old and the heir to one of the most powerful families in their fictional kingdom. His family controlled businesses, politicians, security companies—and things nobody discussed aloud.

People feared him.

Some called him ruthless.

Others called him a monster.

Isabella had never met him.

And now she was apparently supposed to marry him.

“I can't.”

Her father frowned.

“You can.”

“No, Papa. I mean I can't.”

She stood so quickly that her chair scraped loudly across the floor.

“I don't know him!”

“You will.”

“I don't love him!”

Her father's expression hardened.

“This marriage was never about love.”

Those words hurt more than she expected.

Isabella looked at her mother.

“Mom?”

Her mother's eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry.”

Isabella felt something crack inside her.

“You agreed to this?”

Her mother said nothing.

That was answer enough.

Isabella stepped backward.

“This isn't fair.”

Her father stood.

“Fair has nothing to do with it.”

“Then what does?”

“Survival.”

The word silenced her.

Her father's voice became quieter.

“Our families have enemies. Serious ones. This marriage will create an alliance strong enough to protect both families.”

Isabella shook her head.

“Then marry him yourself.”

Her mother gasped.

Her father stared at her.

For one terrifying second, Isabella thought she had gone too far.

Then her father sighed.

“You have until Saturday.”

“Saturday?”

“Yes.”

“That's four days!”

“I know.”

Isabella stared at him in disbelief.

“You're giving me four days to prepare for the rest of my life?”

Her father didn't answer.

She turned toward the door.

“Isabella.”

She stopped.

Her father spoke again.

“Lucas will come tomorrow.”

She slowly looked back.

“Why?”

“To meet his future wife.”

Isabella swallowed.

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to cry.

Instead, she whispered,

“I don't want a husband.”

Her mother finally stood and walked toward her.

“Oh, sweetheart…”

Isabella stepped away.

“I want my life.”

Then she ran.

---

She didn't stop until she reached her bedroom.

The door slammed behind her.

Isabella leaned against it, breathing heavily.

“This is a nightmare.”

She walked toward the mirror.

Her reflection looked exactly the same as it had that morning.

Same long hair.

Same innocent eyes.

Same pink pajamas.

But everything felt different now.

She was going to be somebody's wife.

Lucas's wife.

She had heard stories about him.

He was cold.

Dangerous.

Impossible to read.

And apparently terrifying when angry.

Isabella hugged herself.

“What am I supposed to say to a man like that?”

A knock came at the door.

She ignored it.

Another knock.

“Isabella?”

Her mother's voice.

“I don't want to talk.”

The door opened anyway.

Her mother entered quietly.

She sat beside Isabella on the bed.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then her mother whispered,

“I'm sorry.”

Isabella looked at her.

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Then stop it.”

Her mother frowned.

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me like I'm already dead.”

Her mother's eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, Isabella.”

Isabella looked away.

“I’m scared.”

Her mother pulled her into a hug.

“I know.”

“What if he hates me?”

“He won't.”

“You don't know that.”

“No,” her mother admitted. “I don't.”

Isabella sighed.

“What if he's cruel?”

Her mother hesitated.

Then she said something that Isabella would remember for years.

“Lucas is a dangerous man.”

Isabella's stomach dropped.

“But,” her mother continued, “I've never heard anyone say that he is cruel to the people he considers his own.”

Isabella frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Her mother smiled sadly.

“You'll find out.”

---

The next afternoon, Isabella was standing in the garden when she heard cars approaching.

Not one.

Several.

She froze.

Black cars entered through the gates.

Her heart began pounding.

“Isabella.”

She turned.

Her father stood behind her.

“He's here.”

Isabella looked at the cars.

“Oh.”

Her palms became sweaty.

“Do I look okay?”

Her father raised an eyebrow.

“You're wearing a yellow dress.”

“Is that bad?”

“No.”

“Does it make me look childish?”

“No.”

“Should I change?”

“Isabella.”

“What?”

“You're going to make yourself sick.”

She exhaled.

“I'm nervous.”

“I know.”

The first car stopped.

A man stepped out.

Then another.

Then another.

Finally, the rear door opened.

Lucas emerged.

Isabella had expected someone frightening.

She had expected scars.

A cruel smile.

Something that would immediately tell her he was dangerous.

Instead, she saw a tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Dark hair.

Sharp features.

Cold eyes.

He didn't look like a monster.

That somehow made him more intimidating.

Lucas looked toward her.

Their eyes met.

Isabella forgot how to breathe.

His expression didn't change.

He simply studied her.

As if trying to understand exactly what kind of woman he had been promised.

Isabella suddenly became painfully aware that she was clutching the edge of her dress.

Lucas walked toward them.

Her father extended his hand.

“Lucas.”

“Mr. Romano.”

They shook hands.

Then Lucas looked at Isabella.

Her father cleared his throat.

“Lucas, this is my daughter, Isabella.”

Lucas's gaze remained on her.

Isabella swallowed.

“Hello.”

He said nothing.

She shifted awkwardly.

“Are you always this talkative?”

One of the men behind Lucas suddenly looked at the ground.

Her father stared at her.

Isabella immediately regretted speaking.

But then—

Lucas's lips twitched.

Barely.

Almost a smile.

“No,” he said.

His voice was deep and calm.

“Only when necessary.”

Isabella blinked.

“That wasn't very nice.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“You asked.”

“I was being polite.”

“You weren't.”

She stared at him.

He stared back.

And for the first time that day, Isabella realized something.

Maybe marrying Lucas wasn't going to be as terrifying as she had imagined.

Maybe it was going to be much worse.

Because somehow, she already wanted to know what was hidden behind those cold eyes.

And she had no idea that Lucas was thinking the exact same thing.

This girl is going to be trouble.

Chapter Two — The Man She Was Going to Marry

Isabella spent the next ten minutes wishing the ground would open beneath her.

Lucas was still standing in front of her.

He hadn't said much.

That was the problem.

Every time Isabella looked at him, she felt as though he was silently studying every little thing about her.

She finally looked away.

Her father cleared his throat.

“Why don't we go inside?”

Lucas nodded.

Isabella followed them.

She deliberately walked behind her parents, hoping nobody would notice how nervous she was.

Unfortunately, Lucas noticed.

He noticed everything.

When they entered the sitting room, Isabella immediately sat on the farthest sofa.

Lucas sat across from her.

Her father and Lucas began discussing the marriage.

Isabella tried to listen.

She really did.

But all she could think about was the man sitting opposite her.

He looked completely relaxed.

As if marrying a stranger was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.

She couldn't take it anymore.

“So…”

Everyone looked at her.

Isabella suddenly regretted speaking.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“So?”

She swallowed.

“Do you actually want to marry me?”

Silence.

Her father looked horrified.

Her mother closed her eyes.

One of Lucas's men coughed into his fist.

Lucas simply stared at her.

Then he answered.

“No.”

Isabella's heart sank.

“Oh.”

She looked down.

“But,” Lucas continued, “I agreed to it.”

She looked up again.

“That's supposed to make me feel better?”

“No.”

For some reason, that almost made her laugh.

Almost.

Lucas leaned back.

“Do you want to marry me?”

“No.”

Her father opened his mouth.

Isabella quickly continued.

“I mean, I don't know you.”

Lucas nodded.

“Fair.”

She studied him.

“You're not angry?”

“Why would I be?”

“Because I said I don't want to marry you.”

“You're allowed to.”

Isabella blinked.

That wasn't what she expected.

“You are?”

Lucas looked at her.

“I don't want a wife who is forced to smile at me.”

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten.

She looked down at her hands.

“Then why are you agreeing?”

“Because some things are bigger than what we want.”

Isabella understood immediately.

Their families.

The alliance.

The enemies.

She hated that answer.

But she couldn't argue with it.

Her father stood.

“I'll give you two some time.”

Isabella's head snapped up.

“Papa!”

But he was already walking away.

Her mother followed him.

The door closed.

Silence.

Isabella stared at Lucas.

Lucas stared back.

“This is awkward,” she whispered.

“Yes.”

“You could say something.”

“You could too.”

“I did.”

“You're doing very well.”

She frowned.

“Was that sarcasm?”

“Yes.”

For the first time, Isabella saw it.

A tiny spark of amusement in his eyes.

She smiled before she could stop herself.

Lucas noticed.

His expression softened for half a second.

Then it disappeared.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said.

Isabella thought about it.

“I'm eighteen.”

“I know.”

“I like flowers.”

“I can see that.”

She glanced at the vase beside her.

“Oh.”

She cleared her throat.

“I like books.”

“What kind?”

“Romance.”

Lucas's eyebrow lifted.

“Romance?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

“You're about to marry a man who doesn't believe in it.”

Isabella stared at him.

“That's tragic.”

His mouth twitched.

“Probably.”

She smiled.

“What's your favorite book?”

“I don't read romance.”

“That wasn't my question.”

Lucas looked at her for a moment.

“I don't have one.”

“That's boring.”

“I'm beginning to understand why your father looks exhausted.”

Isabella gasped.

“You're making fun of me.”

“A little.”

She crossed her arms.

“I don't like you.”

Lucas nodded calmly.

“That's unfortunate.”

“Why?”

“Because we're getting married.”

She opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

He had a point.

---

Later that evening, Lucas returned to his car.

His right-hand man, Adrian, was waiting for him.

“Well?”

Lucas said nothing.

Adrian smiled.

“You like her.”

Lucas gave him a cold look.

“I didn't say that.”

“You didn't have to.”

Lucas looked out the window.

Isabella's image appeared in his mind.

Yellow dress.

Nervous hands.

Soft voice.

And that ridiculous habit of saying exactly what she was thinking.

“She talks too much,” Lucas said.

Adrian laughed.

“You're smiling.”

Lucas immediately stopped.

“I am not.”

“You were.”

“Drive.”

Adrian grinned.

“Yes, boss.”

Lucas looked back toward the house.

For some reason, he didn't want to leave.

That irritated him.

He had met countless people.

He had negotiated with powerful men.

He had stared down enemies without blinking.

But one innocent girl with a yellow dress had managed to make him uncomfortable in less than an hour.

He didn't understand it.

And he didn't like things he couldn't understand.

---

That night, Isabella couldn't sleep.

She lay in bed staring at the ceiling.

Lucas's voice kept replaying in her mind.

I don't want a wife who is forced to smile at me.

She turned onto her side.

“He's strange.”

She pulled the blanket over her head.

“He's also rude.”

She paused.

“And kind of funny.”

She immediately shook her head.

“No.”

She sat up.

“I am not falling for him.”

She pointed at herself in the mirror.

“You don't even know him.”

Her reflection obviously didn't answer.

“Exactly.”

She lay back down.

Five minutes later, she whispered,

“But his eyes are really nice.”

She covered her face with a pillow.

“This is hopeless.”

---

The following morning, Isabella found a small black box sitting on her breakfast plate.

She stared at it.

“What's that?”

Her mother smiled.

“Open it.”

Isabella slowly lifted the lid.

Inside was a delicate necklace.

A small silver pendant shaped like a flower.

Her eyes widened.

“It's beautiful.”

“It's from Lucas.”

Isabella froze.

“Lucas?”

Her mother nodded.

“Consider it an engagement gift.”

Isabella picked up the necklace.

There was a small note beneath it.

She unfolded the paper.

Three words were written in neat handwriting.

For my future wife.

Isabella's cheeks turned pink.

She quickly folded the note.

Her mother smiled.

“You like it.”

“No.”

“You're blushing.”

“It's hot.”

“It's raining.”

“Mom!”

Her mother laughed.

Isabella touched the necklace again.

For the first time since hearing about the marriage, she felt something other than fear.

Curiosity.

She wanted to know why Lucas had chosen a flower.

She wanted to know what he was really like.

And, despite everything, she wanted to see him again.

She didn't know it yet, but that simple necklace would become one of the most important things she ever owned.

Because years later, when Isabella would look back on the beginning of their marriage, she would remember one thing clearly.

Lucas hadn't given her the necklace because he loved her.

Not yet.

He had given it to her because he had made a promise.

And Lucas never broke his promises.

chapter three — the wedding contract

three days.

that was all isabella had left.

three days before she would become mrs. lucas.

she still hadn't gotten used to the idea.

every time someone mentioned the wedding, her stomach twisted.

she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, holding the silver flower necklace lucas had given her.

she hadn't taken it off since receiving it.

not because she was in love with him.

at least, that was what she kept telling herself.

there was a knock.

“come in.”

her father entered carrying a thick folder.

isabella immediately frowned.

“what is that?”

“the marriage contract.”

she stared at him.

“a contract?”

“yes.”

“is there a clause saying i can run away?”

her father gave her a look.

“izzy.”

“that means no.”

he placed the folder on her desk.

“you need to read it.”

isabella sat down.

her father opened the folder.

“the marriage will unite our families. you will live with lucas after the wedding.”

isabella swallowed.

“with him?”

“yes.”

“alone?”

“he has staff and security.”

“that wasn't what i meant.”

her father sighed.

“you won't be alone.”

isabella looked down at the pages.

there were so many words.

financial arrangements.

family obligations.

security agreements.

inheritance clauses.

she barely understood half of them.

then she saw one sentence that caught her attention.

the marriage shall remain valid for a minimum of one year before either party may seek legal dissolution.

her eyes widened.

“one year?”

her father nodded.

“so if i hate him…”

“you'll have to survive a year.”

“papa!”

he almost smiled.

then his expression became serious again.

“there is something else.”

isabella looked up.

“what?”

“lucas added his own conditions.”

“which are?”

her father turned the page.

“he doesn't want control over your personal finances.”

isabella blinked.

“what?”

“he says anything belonging to you remains yours.”

she stared at the document.

“that sounds… reasonable.”

“there is more.”

her father continued.

“he doesn't want you involved in his business.”

“that sounds even more reasonable.”

“and he wants you to finish your education.”

isabella looked at him.

“really?”

“yes.”

she looked at the contract again.

“he doesn't seem like a terrible person.”

her father gave her a strange look.

“i never said he was.”

“you called him dangerous.”

“he is.”

isabella sighed.

“that's confusing.”

“welcome to adulthood.”

she rolled her eyes.

“i'm eighteen, papa. not eighty.”

her father smiled faintly.

then he stood.

“you need to sign.”

isabella stared at the pen.

her hand trembled slightly.

this wasn't just ink on paper.

it was her future.

she thought about saying no.

she thought about running.

but then she remembered her mother's worried face.

her father's fear.

the enemies surrounding their families.

and lucas's calm voice.

some things are bigger than what we want.

she picked up the pen.

and signed.

across the city, lucas was sitting behind his desk.

the marriage contract lay before him.

adrian stood nearby.

“you're actually doing this.”

lucas didn't look up.

“yes.”

“you could refuse.”

“no.”

adrian studied him.

“why?”

lucas finally raised his eyes.

“because refusing would put isabella's family at greater risk.”

adrian nodded.

“that makes sense.”

then he smiled.

“but there's another reason.”

lucas's expression hardened.

“don't.”

“you're curious about her.”

lucas leaned back.

“curiosity isn't a reason to marry someone.”

“no. but it's a reason to stop pretending you don't care.”

lucas said nothing.

adrian chuckled.

“you're thirty years old, lucas. you've rejected every woman your family tried to introduce you to.”

“because i didn't want them.”

“and now?”

lucas looked at the contract.

“i don't know her.”

“but you want to.”

lucas's jaw tightened.

“yes.”

adrian's smile widened.

“finally.”

lucas threw a pen at him.

adrian caught it.

“violence won't change the truth.”

“leave.”

“yes, boss.”

adrian walked toward the door.

before leaving, he turned.

“oh, and the wedding is saturday.”

“i know.”

“try not to scare the bride.”

lucas looked at him.

“i don't scare people.”

adrian laughed.

“that's literally your entire reputation.”

the door closed.

lucas looked back at the contract.

at the bottom of the final page was isabella's signature.

small.

careful.

almost delicate.

he stared at it longer than necessary.

then he closed the folder.

the next morning, isabella woke up to chaos.

her bedroom door opened.

her cousin sofia rushed inside.

“you're getting married!”

isabella screamed.

“get out!”

sofia laughed.

“you're marrying lucas!”

“i know!”

“do you love him?”

“no!”

“do you like him?”

“no.”

sofia narrowed her eyes.

“do you think he's handsome?”

isabella paused.

“…maybe.”

sofia gasped dramatically.

“i knew it!”

“it's not a crime to have eyes!”

sofia jumped onto the bed.

“what did he say to you?”

“nothing.”

“nothing?”

“he gave me a necklace.”

sofia's eyes widened.

“he gave you jewelry?”

“keep your voice down!”

“isabella!”

“what?”

“he likes you!”

“he doesn't.”

“how do you know?”

“because he told me he doesn't want a wife who is forced to smile at him.”

sofia stared at her.

“that actually sounds romantic.”

“it wasn't.”

“it definitely was.”

isabella grabbed a pillow.

“stop.”

sofia laughed.

“you're blushing again.”

“i hate you.”

“i love you too.”

that afternoon, lucas arrived again.

this time, isabella was prepared.

she wore a simple blue dress and the flower necklace.

when lucas entered the room, his eyes immediately fell on the pendant.

“you wore it.”

isabella touched it.

“you gave it to me.”

“i didn't know if you'd keep it.”

“why wouldn't i?”

he shrugged.

“some people don't like gifts from strangers.”

she looked at him.

“you're not a stranger anymore.”

lucas paused.

something changed in his expression.

“what am i?”

isabella thought.

“my future husband.”

the words sounded strange when she said them.

lucas seemed to think so too.

neither spoke for several seconds.

finally, he said,

“are you nervous?”

“yes.”

“about the wedding?”

“yes.”

“about me?”

she hesitated.

“yes.”

lucas nodded.

“good.”

her eyes widened.

“good?”

“it means you're honest.”

“that wasn't what i expected you to say.”

“i don't want you pretending to be comfortable around me.”

she looked down.

“will you hurt me?”

lucas went completely still.

“no.”

his answer came immediately.

isabella looked up.

he continued.

“whatever happens between our families, whatever happens in my world, you will never be punished for something you didn't do.”

she believed him.

she didn't know why.

but she did.

lucas stood.

“i'll see you saturday.”

isabella nodded.

“lucas?”

he stopped.

“thank you.”

“for what?”

“the necklace.”

his expression softened.

“you're welcome, isabella.”

he walked away.

she watched him leave.

and for the first time, she realized something that frightened her more than the wedding itself.

she was beginning to trust him.

and trust, isabella would soon learn, could be much more dangerous than fear.