The Debt Bride

CHAPTER5

Alexander walked toward them with slow, steady steps. His calm walk and unreadable face gave little away about what he was really feeling.

Ethan reached for the car door handle, but before he could act, Alexander raised his hand and said firmly, “Don’t.” At that moment, Ethan stopped in his tracks, unsure of what to do next.

Alexander then turned his attention to Amelia. His voice was soft but clear as he said, “You don’t understand.

This marriage isn’t just about a deal. I need you. I have watched you over time and have come to love you.” His words, spoken with quiet intensity, filled the space between them.

Amelia shook her head, her voice filled with determination and sorrow as she replied, “I will never be with you.” Her rejection was strong and clear.

For the first time, Alexander’s face changed. The cold mask he usually wore cracked slightly, revealing a flash of pain underneath. It was a rare, honest moment that showed his inner hurt.

“Then I will let you go,” he whispered, his voice low and heavy with regret. His words hung in the air, leaving the tension even thicker than before.

Ethan frowned and stepped forward, his voice laced with suspicion. “What is your game? What are you up to?” he asked, clearly confused and troubled by the situation.

“No game, I promise,” Alexander replied, taking a deep, steadying breath. “If she does not want this,

I will not force her.” His tone was earnest, and his words seemed to offer a small hope of an end to the conflict.

The air grew still, and the uncertainty of what would happen next left everyone waiting, hearts pounding in the silence.

Amelia stared at him, shocked.

She had expected anger, threats, and control. But instead, he was letting her go.

She stepped forward, hesitating. “Why?”

Alexander gave a sad smile. “Because I think I love you.”

Amelia took a deep breath. The choice was

Alexander stood still, his blue eyes locked on Amelia’s. The wind howled around them, making the day even more colder.

Ethan kept his hand on the car door, ready to grab Amelia and run. “What do you mean, you love her?” everything was purely transactional he demanded.

Alexander let out a breath. “I mean exactly that,” he said. “This marriage started as a deal.

But somewhere along the way, it changed.” His gaze softened. “I don’t want to force you, Amelia. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

Amelia’s heart pounded. She had spent days trying to escape, fearing that Alexander was a monster. But now, standing before her, he looked… broken. Vulnerable.

Was this another trick?

She hesitated. Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped toward him. “Why should I believe you?” she asked.

Alexander reached into his pocket.

Ethan tensed, his muscles coiled, ready for a fight. But Alexander didn’t pull out a weapon.

Instead, he retrieved a small envelope and held it out toward Amelia.

Her heart pounded as she hesitated. “What is this?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Proof of my agreement with your father,” Alexander replied.

Her fingers trembled as she took the envelope. She carefully opened it and pulled out the letter inside.

The paper was slightly crumpled, as if it had been handled too many times. Her eyes scanned the words, her breath growing uneven.

I, Henry Tate, agree to give my daughter, Amelia Tate, in marriage to Alexander Grayson in exchange for the full payment of my debt. I understand that if the marriage does not happen, my house, my life, and my business will be taken over.

The air around her seemed to vanish.

Her father had sold her.

Amelia’s hands shook as she lowered the letter. Her chest tightened, a suffocating weight pressing against her ribs. She looked up, her eyes burning with betrayal.

“You knew,” she whispered, barely able to form the words. “You knew all along.”

Alexander’s face darkened. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was firm. “Yes. But what I didn’t expect was that I would fall in love with you.”

Ethan grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him. “We’re leaving,” he said urgently. “You can’t believe him. He’s lying to you.”

Amelia didn’t fight back. Her mind was spinning, her world crumbling. Without a word, she turned and stepped toward the car.

Just as her fingers brushed the door handle, a voice cut through the night.

“Amelia.”

She froze.

Something about the way her name was spoken sent a shiver down her spine. Slowly, she turned.

Alexander was no longer looking at her. His sharp gaze was fixed on something beyond the car.

A shadow shifted behind the SUV.

Then—out of the darkness—her father stepped forward.

But he wasn’t alone.

Three armed men flanked him. Their faces were emotionless, their hands steady on their guns.

Mr. Tate smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “I can’t let you leave, Amelia,” he said smoothly. “Not after everything I’ve done to make this happen. I can’t lose my house. My business. My life.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. His fists clenched. “You set this up.”

Mr. Tate shrugged. “I had to make sure she had no way out.”

Amelia’s blood ran cold.

All this time, she had been trying to escape Alexander… but the real monster had been standing behind her all along.

The men raised their guns.

Mr. Tate’s voice was calm, almost casual.

“Now,” he said. “Let’s end this.”