THE BLACK VOW

Chapter 3 : Rules of the Devil

The morning sun had barely risen over Vieri Manor.

Yet the mansion was already alive.

Servants hurried through the endless hallways.

Bodyguards changed shifts.

Luxury cars lined up outside the entrance.

Everything moved with military precision.

Everything...

Except Isabella.

She stood in front of the bedroom mirror, still staring at the black diamond ring on her finger.

It didn't feel like a wedding ring.

It felt like a pair of handcuffs.

A knock came at the door.

"Mrs. Vieri."

Vittorio entered with a respectful bow.

"Breakfast is ready."

"I'm not hungry."

"I'm afraid that's not a request."

She sighed.

"So everyone in this house gives orders?"

Vittorio smiled politely.

"Only those who intend to keep you alive."

The dining room was quiet.

Alessio sat at the head of the table, reading the morning newspaper while sipping black coffee.

He didn't even look at her.

"Sit."

"I'm capable of standing."

"So am I."

Silence.

She finally pulled out a chair.

A maid immediately placed a plate in front of her.

Fresh fruit.

Croissants.

Eggs.

Coffee.

She hadn't touched any of it when Alessio folded his newspaper.

"There are rules."

She looked up.

"I don't remember asking."

"You don't have to."

He slid a black folder across the table.

"The Rules of Vieri Manor."

She blinked.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

She opened the folder.

Rule One.

Never leave the estate without my permission.

Rule Two.

Never speak to the press.

Rule Three.

Never enter the west wing.

Rule Four.

Never touch my office.

Rule Five.

Never lie to me.

She looked up.

"You forgot one."

Alessio raised an eyebrow.

"'Never breathe without your permission.'"

Bianca, who had just entered the room, burst into laughter.

"Oh, I like her more every day."

Isabella closed the folder.

"I'm not signing this."

"You already did."

"When?"

"The moment you said 'I do.'"

Her jaw tightened.

"I married you."

"I didn't surrender."

For the first time that morning...

Alessio's expression shifted.

Not anger.

Not amusement.

Respect.

Just for a second.

Then it disappeared.

"Good."

He stood.

"I dislike obedient people."

An hour later...

Isabella wandered through the mansion.

It was enormous.

Paintings are centuries old.

Crystal chandeliers.

Secret corridors.

Hidden cameras.

Every hallway whispered history.

Every room held secrets.

As she passed a locked wooden door...

She remembered Rule Three.

Never enter the west wing.

Which naturally made her curious.

She looked around.

No guards.

No servants.

Only silence.

The doorknob turned.

Unlocked.

"So much for security."

She stepped inside.

Dust floated in the sunlight.

The room looked untouched for years.

Bookshelves.

Old furniture.

A grand piano covered with white sheets.

Family portraits.

Then...

One painting caught her attention.

A young woman.

Beautiful.

Dark hair.

Gentle smile.

Standing beside a teenage Alessio.

Unlike the cold man she knew...

The boy in the painting was smiling.

Genuinely smiling.

"Who are you...?"

She stepped closer.

A small silver frame rested beneath the painting.

Elena Vieri

1996–2020

Beloved sister.

Gone...

But never forgotten.

Before Isabella could read further—

"You're in the wrong room."

His voice froze her where she stood.

Alessio.

He was standing in the doorway.

His face showed no emotion.

But his eyes...

They were colder than she'd ever seen them.

"I was just—"

"I know what you were doing."

She straightened her shoulders.

"I got lost."

"No."

He walked toward her.

"You were curious."

"So what if I was?"

He stopped only inches away.

"You broke the first rule."

"I broke the third."

His lips twitched.

"Bolder than I expected."

She refused to back away.

"You keep secrets."

"I do."

"You expect me not to ask questions."

"I do."

She folded her arms.

"That's not how marriage works."

For several seconds...

Neither of them moved.

Then Alessio spoke.

Quietly.

"My sister was murdered."

The words hit Isabella like a punch.

She hadn't expected an answer.

"I never let anyone into this room."

His gaze drifted toward the portrait.

"Until today."

Something inside her shifted.

For the first time...

She saw pain.

Real pain.

Hidden beneath the mask of the Black Devil.

That evening...

Rain poured once again over Rome.

Alessio stood alone on the balcony outside his office.

Marco Vieri stepped beside him.

"You let her into Elena's room."

"I didn't."

"But you didn't punish her."

Alessio remained silent.

Marco smiled faintly.

"You're changing."

"No."

"You are."

Alessio looked toward Isabella's bedroom window.

She was reading.

Completely unaware someone was watching her from outside the estate.

Hidden among the trees.

A sniper slowly adjusted his rifle.

The red laser settled...

Directly on Isabella's chest.

End of Chapter 3

Cliffhanger

The sniper whispered into his radio.

"Target acquired."

A cold voice answered from the other end.

"Don't kill her."

A pause.

"Not yet."

Then another order came.

"Kill... Alessio Vieri instead."