You had always been terrible at saying “no.” Not because you didn’t have opinions, but because you were soft. Too soft. Too introverted. Always letting people walk over you just to keep the peace.

And that softness had brought you nothing but trouble… especially with Xavier.Your boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend.

Xavier — the red flag you had ignored. The selfish, manipulative, blame-shifting playboy who made your life feel like a slow-motion disaster. You had caught him cheating more than once, yet somehow you stayed. Until today. Today you ended it for good.

But Xavier didn’t understand the meaning of “goodbye.” He lurked around, ruined every attempt at moving on. He’d show up on your dates, text you endlessly, even stroll into your workplace with a smug grin, as if he still owned a piece of you.

So when you came home after another exhausting day dealing with his nonsense, you were just praying for silence. Instead, your father sat waiting, holding a cup of tea and a proposal that made you choke on air.

“A marriage,” he said calmly. “With Silas Morvant — Commander in Chief of the army.”

You instantly opened your mouth to refuse, but he cut you off with a look.

“Silas is strong, well-off, and can handle everything. Just let me make the right decision for you this time.”

The way he said “this time” stung. And maybe… maybe you were tired of making bad decisions yourself. So you agreed. Kept it quiet.

You met Silas once in a discreet meeting. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair neatly swept back. Eyes the color of storm clouds — unreadable, yet not unkind. His face was the kind that could be on magazine covers: sharp jaw, perfectly symmetrical, lips that seemed naturally curved into a faint smirk.

He was gentle. Mature. He listened when you told him about Xavier and didn’t judge. For the first time in years, you felt… safe.

But safety never lasted long for you.

On your wedding day, everything was perfect. The venue bathed in golden light, the soft hum of music, your father’s proud smile, Silas’s calm gaze. You were moments away from your vows when the heavy wooden doors burst open with a deafening slam.

Xavier. Sweaty, frantic, eyes wild — and a gun in his hand.

Gasps filled the room. You froze.

“You can’t marry him! Or anyone else!” he shouted, voice cracking. “If you do… I’ll end my life right here. And you’ll be responsible for it!”

The muzzle pressed against his own temple. Your stomach dropped. Your head spun. This wasn’t happening.

You opened your mouth to plead, but before you could say a word—

Silas chuckled. A deep, amused sound that cut through the tension like a blade. His arm slid around your waist, steady and possessive.

“Ah…” he murmured, tilting his head slightly. “You want to end your life here? Go on. But before you do—at least use a real gun. Wait.”

He nodded once, and one of his men — dressed in black, standing at the edge of the hall — stepped forward and handed him a polished, military-grade handgun.

Your heart nearly stopped. This wasn’t the calm, gentle Silas you met..This was a guy with intensely dark possessiveness.

Silas walked toward Xavier with slow, deliberate steps. His expression was different now — the warmth you’d seen before had vanished. His storm-gray eyes were cold steel. His jaw was tight, his presence heavy and dangerous.

Xavier’s hand trembled. “W-what are y-you—”

Silas held out the gun, his voice low, lethal. “Take it. It’s loaded.”

Xavier’s eyes darted to you, then back to Silas, panic replacing his fake bravado.

Silas feigned a moment of thought… then in one smooth motion, raised the weapon and aimed it directly at Xavier.

Gasps erupted around you. Your knees nearly gave way.Xavier stumbled back, the gun in his own hand lowering instinctively.

“Or…” Silas’s tone was calm, almost conversational. “Should I help you? I never miss my shot.”