CHAPTER ONE: THE DEVIL'S MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

The rain fell heavily against the windows of the small hospital room.

Isabella Williams sat beside her father's bed, her fingers trembling as she held his cold hand.

"Daddy, please get better," she whispered, fighting back tears.

Her father opened his eyes slowly.

"Isabella..."

She leaned closer. "I'm here, Daddy."

"There is something you need to know."

Before he could continue, the hospital door swung open.

A tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit entered the room.

Alexander Blackwood.

Even the nurses seemed afraid of him.

He was the kind of man whose presence could silence an entire room. His black hair was neatly styled, his jaw sharp, and his eyes so cold that Isabella felt a shiver run down her spine.

She stood immediately.

"Who are you?"

Alexander glanced at her father before looking directly into her eyes.

"Alexander Blackwood."

Her father's face drained of colour.

"No..." he whispered. "You shouldn't be here."

Alexander smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Williams, I have business with your daughter."

Isabella stepped between them.

"If you came here to threaten my father, you can leave."

Alexander's gaze shifted toward her.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he took a step closer.

"You're Isabella Williams?"

"Yes."

"Twenty-three years old?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Because I'm going to marry you."

Silence.

Isabella stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

"What?"

Alexander reached into his jacket and pulled out a document.

"Your father's company owes me fifty million dollars. He has nothing left to pay me. His properties are already mine."

Her lips parted in shock.

"That's impossible."

"Believe whatever you want."

She turned toward her father.

"Daddy, is this true?"

Tears filled his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Isabella."

Her heart shattered.

Alexander placed the document on the table.

"Marry me, and your father's debt disappears."

Isabella looked at him in disbelief.

"Why me?"

His eyes darkened.

"Because I want something your father loves more than his money."

Her stomach twisted.

"You're sick."

Alexander leaned closer. His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Perhaps."

She slapped him.

The sound echoed through the room.

The nurses outside froze.

Isabella's hand trembled, but she refused to step back.

"Don't you dare think you can buy me."

Alexander slowly turned his face back toward her.

Then he smiled.

A terrifying smile.

"Interesting."

He took her hand and placed a black diamond ring in her palm.

"You have forty-eight hours to decide."

"And if I refuse?"

His eyes moved toward her father.

"Then your family loses everything."

Isabella's breath caught.

Alexander walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned one last time.

"Oh, and Isabella?"

She glared at him.

"Your wedding dress will be black."

The door closed.

Isabella stared at the ring in her hand.

Her father began to cry.

And somewhere in the darkness of Alexander Blackwood's mansion, a wedding was already being planned.

But Isabella didn't know one thing.

Alexander Blackwood had been waiting for her for five years.

And this marriage was never supposed to end in love.

It was supposed to end in blood.

END OF CHAPTER ONE