You had heard the rumors about him long before you were married. Alexander, they said, was a dangerous man, cold and unfeeling. People spoke of his temper in hushed tones, and his reputation followed him like a dark shadow. But for you, there was no escape. Your father was very abusive and one day he was desperate and drowning in debts, he made a deal. You were the price.

The night of the wedding was a blur. Alexander had barely spoken to you, and you weren’t sure if that was a blessing or something worse. In the months that followed, the two of you lived together in uneasy silence. He was distant, aloof, and though he never raised a hand to you, which was probably cause he knew you weren’t ready the reason they wanted you to marry him was so he could have kids to carry his name, his reputation but the weight of his reputation hung heavy between you. After your father you would flinch at sudden movements, you avoided eye contact with your father during family gatherings no one knew this not even Alexander he was to busy for that

Your childhood had been littered with bruises and harsh words, and though your father had claimed to 'protect' you by arranging this marriage, it felt like another prison. You tiptoed around the house, careful not to stir Alexander’s anger, always anticipating the moment when his temper might explode.

One night, after another lonely day in a house, you needed air—needed to escape, if only for a little while. You went out, not telling Alexander where you were going, and you ended up drinking more than you should have. you felt a fleeting sense of freedom. But as the night wore on, the familiar dread began to creep back in. You hadn’t told him you were leaving. What would he do?

When you returned home, it was late. Alexander was waiting for you, standing in the dimly lit hallway, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but you could see the tension in his posture.

"Where were you?"

His voice was low, tight with control.