Chapter 1 Introduction

Kimberley's pov I have always known that I was nothing more than a pawn in my father’s game. But knowing it and living it were two different things. The Laurent estate was grand, elegant chandeliers, pristine marble floors, and paintings worth more than my existence. But to me, it had always been a cage. No matter how golden, a cage was still a prison. Sitting at the long dining table, I forced myself to eat the tasteless meal in front of me. My father, William Laurent, sat at the head, reading over reports, his presence heavy and suffocating. My stepmother, Margaret, sat beside him, sipping her wine as if she were royalty. Across from me, my stepsister, Emily, tapped her manicured nails against her plate, her phone in her other hand. Unlike me, she had always been defiant, headstrong, rebellious. The perfect daughter in my father’s eyes, yet uncontrollable enough that she was never the one sacrificed. Until now. The air was tense. I could feel it even before my father spoke. “Emily,” his deep voice cut through the silence. “We have something important to discuss.” Emily didn’t bother looking up. “If this is about the marriage thing, I already told you, I’m not doing it.” I froze. Marriage? Margaret gasped, her lips curling in disapproval. “Emily, lower your voice.” Emily finally lifted her head, her hazel eyes glinting with challenge. “I don’t care. I’m not marrying some stranger just to benefit your business.” My heart pounded. I turned to my father, hoping this was a misunderstanding. His gaze, cold and calculating, settled on Emily with quiet disappointment. “You don’t have a choice,” he said simply. “Alexander Silver is expecting a bride, and you were chosen.” Alexander Silver. A name that sent chills down my spine. Everyone in New York knew him, the ruthless billionaire who ruled the business world with an iron grip. He was powerful, untouchable, and terrifying. Emily smirked, unfazed. “Then tell him to expect disappointment. I’m not his property.” I should have expected this response. Emily had always been the one who could refuse. She had a power I never had the ability to say no. Margaret pressed her lips together, her perfectly maintained composure cracking. “Emily, don’t be ridiculous. This is about the family’s future.” Emily scoffed. “You mean your future. If you care so much about the Laurents, why don’t you marry him yourself?” Margaret stiffened, her face twisting with irritation. My father, however, didn’t react. That was worse. When my father was truly angry, he didn’t yell. He calculated. He lifted his glass of wine, swirled the liquid inside, then looked directly at me. “Fine,” he said. “Kimberley will do it.” My breath caught. What? Margaret let out a pleased hum, as if my fate had just been sealed with a neat little bow. “Yes, that makes sense. Kimberley is obedient. She won’t embarrass the family like Emily would.” Emily sighed, brushing her dark curls over her shoulder. “Perfect. Have fun with that, Kimmy.” I stared at them. No. No, this can’t be happening. “I….” My voice came out weak. “You can’t just…” “Enough.” My father’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and unwavering. His dark eyes pinned me in place. “You will do as you’re told, Kimberley. This marriage is final. Tomorrow, we will meet with Alexander Silver to finalize the arrangement.” No. My hands trembled in my lap. I wanted to scream, to beg, to fight, but I knew better. Defiance was met with punishment. Resistance with suffering. So I sat there, swallowing my fear and fury as silence strangled me. Tomorrow, I would meet the man who would own me. And there was nothing I could do to stop it. ******* The Next Day The car ride to the meeting felt like a funeral procession. The city streets blurred past me as I sat in the back of my father’s limousine, my hands clutching my dress so tightly that my nails dug into the fabric. Margaret sat beside me, fixing her lipstick in a compact mirror. “Sit up straight, Kimberley. You don’t want to look like a lost little girl in front of Alexander.” I ignored her, focusing on steadying my breathing. My father’s phone rang, and he answered without a greeting. “We’re arriving now.” A pause. Then he nodded. “Yes. She’ll do.” She’ll do. Like I was nothing more than a transaction. I clenched my fists, my stomach twisting with dread. When we finally arrived at the Silver Enterprises building, the sheer presence of it stole the breath from my lungs. It was monstrous skyscrapers stretching toward the heavens, polished glass reflecting the world below. And at the very top sat the man who controlled it all. Alexander Silver. The man who would soon be my husband. I wanted to be sick. Security ushered us inside, leading us through grand halls and past employees who moved with purpose, their gazes downcast as if they feared being noticed. Margaret looped her arm through mine, squeezing slightly. “Don’t embarrass us,” she murmured. I wasn’t sure if she was speaking to me or warning me. Then the doors opened. And there he was. Alexander Silver. Seated at the head of a sleek conference table, he exuded power. His dark suit fit him with effortless precision, his posture relaxed but commanding. Sharp features. Icy gray eyes. A presence that devoured the room. He didn’t stand when we entered. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to make everyone else seem insignificant. I struggled to keep my breathing even as his gaze slowly settled on me. Scrutinizing. Grumpy and looked as if he was bored, like am boring 🙀🤧. I felt exposed. My father cleared his throat. “Alexander. It’s good to see you again.” Alexander barely nodded, his focus not shifting from me. “So,” he murmured, voice like silk wrapped around steel. “You’re the one taking Emily’s place.” The way he said it sent chills down my spine. My throat was dry. I couldn’t force out a response. Margaret smiled, her voice dripping with false charm. “Kimberley is an obedient girl. She understands the importance of this union.” I wanted to scream. Alexander leaned back in his chair, watching me with an intensity that made my pulse skitter. “Is that so?” He studied me like I was a product he was inspecting. I hated it. But I was too afraid to speak. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Then, finally, Alexander smirked. It wasn’t kind. “This marriage is a contract,” he said smoothly. “I expect compliance. Disobedience will not be tolerated.” I swallowed hard. “Of course,” my father said, his tone businesslike. “Kimberley understands.” Did I? Alexander tapped his fingers against the table, considering me. “Speak.” I hesitated. “What do you want me to say?” His smirk widened, though his eyes remained unreadable. “Good. You know when to follow orders.” My stomach turned. I didn’t need to know Alexander Silver to know what he was. Dangerous. Unrelenting. Cold. And now… my future husband. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want him. But it didn’t matter. Because the deal was already made. And I had just been sold to a monster 😞 💀 💀 👻😖😣