Bound to the Billionaire's Vow

CHAPTER 2

The Man in the Mirror

Dominic’s POV | Third Person

She's in her room? Dominic asked, tugging at the knot in his tie as he stepped out of the elevator into the penthouse.

Leo, his personal assistant of five years, nodded.

Yes, sir. Hasn't come out since the wedding. Refused dinner.

Figures.

Dominic tossed the tie onto a side table, pulled off his cufflinks, and rolled up his sleeves. The penthouse smelled like roses leftovers from the floral monstrosity his stepmother insisted on for the ceremony. Everything had been for show. The photos. The smiles. The three-second kiss that never touched his lips.

Leo lingered by the staircase.

What? Dominic snapped.

Leo hesitated. She looked scared. Genuinely. Maybe we should ease her in. It’s a lot for

She’s not here to be eased into anything, Dominic cut him off. She knew what she signed up for.

She’s twenty-two, Dom.

Dominic turned, eyes sharp. So was I when I buried my father. Do you think anyone eased me into the boardroom while my hands were still shaking from the autopsy report?

Leo shut up.

Dominic took a glass from the minibar and poured himself a drink.

She’s not a victim. She’s a deal. Let’s not confuse things.

Leo exhaled quietly and left the room.

Fifteen minutes later, Dominic stood outside her door.

Why, he wasn’t sure. Maybe it was the silence. Maybe it was the image of her face during the vows the way her eyes kept darting to the exit. Maybe it was guilt. No. Not guilt.

He knocked once.

Nothing.

He knocked again, louder.

Still nothing.

He turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The lights were off. The curtains were shut. The air smelled like leftover perfume and something else fear maybe, or just too many emotions in one place.

She was on the floor by the window, knees pulled tight to her chest. Still in the damn wedding dress.

Like the day hadn’t ended, just spiraled.

The door creaked and she flinched, head snapping up.

You can’t just barge in here, she said. Her voice was small, but it cut.

Dominic didn’t flinch. Just leaned against the doorframe like he had all the time in the world.

I can do whatever I want. It’s my house.

She scoffed, barely looking at him. Yeah? Well, it’s my room too. Apparently.

He ignored the jab. You skipped dinner.

I wasn’t hungry.

He stepped inside, each footstep deliberate. We have a press event tomorrow. Ten a.m. You’ll wear something elegant and speak only when spoken to.

Like a trained pet?

He stopped a few feet from her.

You’re not a pet, Alina. Pets are chosen.

Her eyes flinched just for a second like he’d hit her.

And God, he hated that. The way it landed. The way it hurt her.

But he didn’t say sorry. Didn’t take it back. Couldn’t.

She stood slowly, not saying a word, just brushing her dress off like it gave her something to do. Something to hold on to. Why are you really here? To remind me what I am? A business asset?

No. To remind you not to screw this up. Because if you do, my enemies will eat you alive.

Then maybe you shouldn’t have dragged me into your little war.

I didn’t drag you. Your father handed you over with a bow.

Her face fell. And for a second, Dominic regretted saying it that way. But softness was dangerous. He couldn't afford it.

She turned her back to him, eyes fixed on the skyline like it could offer answers.

Dominic didn’t move. Just watched her reflection in the glass small, tense, holding herself together with nothing but sheer will. She looked scared. Hurt. But she hadn’t crumbled.

She was still standing. And somehow, that hit harder than anything she could've said.

Do you want out? he asked, surprising even himself.

She turned, slowly. What?

I said do you want out? I’ll pay you. Quietly. You disappear. I take the hit.

Her mouth opened, but no words came.

Then Why now?

I don’t need dead weight.

She blinked, once, twice. Then she stepped closer.

No, she said.

Dominic raised a brow. No?

I’m not leaving. You want to play power games? Fine. But you married me. You own this mess now.

Something in her voice wasn’t scared anymore.

Dominic stepped back, folding his arms. Suit yourself. But remember what you said. This isn’t a fairytale. I don’t come running when you cry.

I haven’t cried since the ceremony.

That’s a lie.

She didn’t deny it.

He turned to leave. But paused in the doorway.

One more thing, he said. Don’t trust anyone here. Especially the staff. Half of them talk to Vincent.

Her forehead creased. Your uncle?

He’s the one who set this trap. He’ll come for you to get to me. Don’t give him any chance.

She looked at him as her lips parted, but said nothing.

Then quietly, like it cost her something: Why are you warning me?

Dominic didn’t answer.

He just left.

Downstairs, Dominic found Leo in the kitchen scrolling through security footage.

Did you vet the new maid?

Leo nodded. Rosa? Yeah. Why?

She moved Alina’s dress this morning. Into the limo. Before the stylists arrived.

Leo blinked. That’s... suspicious.

Too neat. Too planned.

Dominic took his phone and made a call.

It rang once.

Blackwell, a raspy voice answered.

It’s me, Dominic said. Double the security on my wife. Silent detail. No mistakes.

She’s already being watched.

I said no mistakes.

Click.

(Midnight)

Dominic looked at himself in the mirror. The shirt was off. The scotch half gone. The reflection blurry.

He didn’t see a groom. He didn’t see a husband.

He

saw a man caught between a noose and a crown.

And in the middle of it all, a girl in white who didn’t belong in his world.

But she was in it now.

And there was no way out.