The Devil's Vow

I had always thought I knew my life, my career, my future well until tonight The car door slammed, and I stepped onto the cold marble of the Davinci estate, my heels echoing against the empty driveway. The rain had stopped, but the air still carried that sharp metallic scent. I clutched my purse tightly, telling myself it was a formal meeting - a business arrangement. Nothing more Except, it wasn't He was waiting for me Lucien Davinci. The name had haunted whispered rumors in the news for years, but I would always assumed it was exaggerated. Tall, impeccably dressed, his dark hair slicked back, and those piercing gray eyes that seemed to measure everything about you. He didn't just command a room. And me He didn't smile, didn't even blink when I walked in. His gaze lingered on me, sharp and cold. “You're late", he said, his voice calm and deep at the same time. Every word was edged with a kind of danger I had only read in thrillers. “I- traffic", I stammered cursing myself for stammering and wishing my excuse could work here. They didn't. Lucien didn't reply, He simply gestured towards the drawing room. The furniture gleamed like it belonged in a museum, and I realized too quickly, this wasn't a house. It was a fortress “I assume you know why you're here?" he asked, finally breaking the silence. I nodded cautiously. “To finalize the arrangements between our families?" He didn't nod back. Instead he pulled a chair back and sat, spreading his long fingers across the table.“Not exactly, you don't understand what you're stepping into. I'm going to be very clear Isabella. This is your only warning". I swallowed hard, unsure if my stomach was tightening from fear or excitement “You live by my rules. You follow them or you don't live this house alive. Or at least, you won't leave unharmed" My breath caught. Rules? What rules? “First, he said, eyes narrowing, no wandering anywhere without permission. Second, no asking questions about what you see here, unless I allow it. Third, you will not speak to anyone outside these walls about this... arrangement. Your family, your friends and coworkers, they don't get to know anything. Understand?" I nodded, even though my mind was spinning. This wasn't a marriage. This was a contract with a ghost, a shadow. A man I barely knew but already feared. “Good". He leaned back, he faintest flicker of smirk brushing across his lips, then it hit me, he enjoyed this- the control, the tension. “And one more thing", he added quietly, “ I don't expect you to like me. You will learn to obey me anyway. This is not about love, Isabella. Not now, not ever unless you survive long enough to see if that's even possible". I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. The storm inside me matched the one I had just left outside. My life changed in an instant, and I had no idea how to survive it. All I knew was one thing. I hated him already.