Bound by vow

SECRET CRUSH. The first rays of sunlight stretched across the quiet town, painting the empty streets in shades of gold. The cool morning breeze carried the scent of fresh grass as birds sang from the towering oak trees surrounding the Sterling estate. Just across the road stood Clara Hart, dressed in a simple cream blouse tucked into black trousers. Her handbag rested on her shoulder as she glanced at the elegant wristwatch on her left hand. Seven o'clock. Right on time. A small smile appeared on her lips. Every morning at exactly seven, Adrian Sterling came out for his daily run. She told herself she was only passing by on her way to work. But deep down, she knew the truth. She always adjusted her schedule just to catch a glimpse of him. As if fate had heard her silent wish, the grand front door of the Sterling mansion opened. Adrian Sterling stepped outside wearing a fitted black training shirt, gray sweatpants, and a pair of running shoes. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and despite having just woken up, he looked effortlessly handsome. At twenty-four, Adrian had grown into the kind of man who commanded attention without trying. Tall, broad-shouldered, and strikingly attractive, he carried himself with quiet confidence. He stretched his arms before jogging toward the spacious field beside the mansion. Clara couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. He still trained every morning. Some things never changed. Ever since they were children, Adrian had dreamed of serving his country. While other boys imagined luxurious lifestyles and successful businesses, Adrian dreamed of discipline, honor, and wearing his country's uniform. That dream had never changed. Unfortunately... Neither had Clara's heart. She had loved him for as long as she could remember. Not because of his wealth. Not because he was handsome. But because years ago, when they were children, he had been the only one who treated her kindly when everyone else mocked her worn-out shoes. To Adrian, it had probably been nothing more than a simple act of kindness. To Clara... It became the beginning of a love she could never erase. She watched him sprint across the field with determination written on his face. Sweat formed on his forehead, but he never slowed down. He looked completely alive. Like a man running toward his destiny. "If you keep staring any harder, he's going to feel it." The teasing voice startled Clara. She turned to find her best friend, Vanessa, standing beside her with folded arms and an amused smile. "I wasn't staring," Clara protested. Vanessa laughed. "Oh, really? Then why have you been standing here for almost ten minutes pretending to admire the flowers?" Clara looked away, embarrassed. "I was just enjoying the morning." Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Because your 'morning' seems to wear a black training shirt and goes by the name Adrian Sterling." Clara sighed. "You'll never let this go, will you?" "Never." Both women laughed. After a moment, Vanessa's expression softened. "You know... one day you'll have to tell him how you feel." Clara's smile slowly disappeared. "There isn't anything to tell." "Clara..." "He has dreams, Vanessa." She looked toward Adrian again. "And I'm not part of them." Before Vanessa could respond, Adrian noticed them standing by the fence. He slowed to a stop and walked over, breathing steadily. "Good morning." Clara's heart skipped. "G-good morning." Vanessa smiled knowingly. "Morning, Adrian." Adrian rested one arm against the fence. "Heading to work?" "Yes," Clara replied. "I can give you both a ride." "Oh... you don't have to." "I don't mind." His smile was warm. Friendly. Comfortable. The kind of smile that unknowingly made Clara fall even deeper in love. Twenty minutes later, the three of them were inside Adrian's SUV, driving toward town. Vanessa chatted cheerfully while Clara remained unusually quiet, stealing occasional glances at Adrian whenever he wasn't looking. "So," Vanessa asked, "have you heard back from the military academy?" Adrian's eyes immediately lit up. "I received an email yesterday." Clara turned toward him. "And?" "I've been shortlisted." A proud smile spread across his face. "If everything goes well, training begins in two months." "That's wonderful!" Vanessa exclaimed. "Congratulations." "Thank you." "I've been working toward this my entire life." Clara smiled, even though something inside her quietly ached. "I'm happy for you." She truly was. Even if his dream meant he would one day leave. Even if the distance between them became impossible to cross. Because sometimes... Loving someone meant celebrating the very thing that could take them away. Didn't it?. After dropping the girls off, Adrian drove toward Sterling Corporation. To see his dad, before finally going to the gym. Although his father owned one of the largest construction companies in the country, Adrian had never been interested in taking over the business. Boardrooms bored him. Luxury meant nothing to him. He wanted purpose. He wanted the uniform. He wanted to earn respect through service, not inheritance. As he entered his father's office, he noticed both his parents waiting. His mother's expression was unusually serious. His father stood by the window with his hands behind his back. "You wanted to see me?" "Sit down," Richard Sterling said. Adrian frowned but obeyed. His mother reached for his hand. "We've been meaning to speak with you." "What happened?" His father turned around. "We know about your military application." Adrian smiled. "Then you also know I've been shortlisted." "We know." "Isn't that great?" Silence. The excitement slowly disappeared from Adrian's face. His father's voice was calm but firm. "You are not joining the army." Adrian blinked. "...What?" "You heard me." "Dad, this has been my dream since I was a kid." "And dreams change." "Mine doesn't." His father walked closer. "Our family has spent generations building an empire." "I respect that." "Then you'll respect my decision." Adrian stood. "No." The single word echoed through the office. His mother closed her eyes. "Adrian..." "I've sacrificed everything for this." His father remained unmoved. "And I've sacrificed everything for this family." The room fell into heavy silence. Finally, Richard Sterling spoke again. "There is another reason." Adrian frowned. "What reason?" His father's expression hardened. "The Hart family saved this family many years ago." Adrian looked confused. "What does that have to do with me?" "I made them a promise." "A promise?" "One, I intend to keep." Adrian felt an uneasy knot tighten in his stomach. "What promise?" His father looked directly into his eyes. "A marriage." The color drained from Adrian's face. "What?" "You are going to marry the daughter of the Hart family." For several seconds, no one spoke. The words refused to register. Marriage? Now? When his military career was finally within reach? Adrian let out a disbelieving laugh. "This is a joke." "No." "I'm not marrying anyone." "You don't have a choice." Adrian's jaw tightened. "I'll never agree to this." His father's gaze never waved. "You will." "And if I refuse?" Richard Sterling's voice became ice cold. "Then you can forget about joining the army." Adrian stared at his parents, unable to believe what he had just heard. Outside the office window, the bright morning sun continued to shine. But for Adrian Sterling... Everything had suddenly gone dark.