A Tracker’s Promise

The ceremony was beautiful, or so it seemed. To the outside world, Rory and Max exchanged vows with grace and composure, two poised figures in an opulent show of unity. Beneath her calm smile, Rory’s heart churned with anger. This was no wedding of love but a cruel performance—a facade of civility hiding the flames of revenge brewing inside her.

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As Max slid the ornate wedding band onto her finger, Rory’s green eyes locked onto his, unflinching. Her mind whispered a silent vow that went beyond the ceremonial words she was forced to say. You’ll rue this, Maximilian Rykard. I’ll make sure of it.

Her hand brushed the folds of her wedding dress, confirming the hidden tracker she had placed in Max’s belongings earlier that morning. It was a risky move, but one she knew was necessary. If she was going to survive this forced union, she needed power. Something to uncover Max’s motives and reveal his secrets.

The ceremony ended with applause, the clinking of glasses, and polite smiles. Max’s hand rested lightly on her back as he guided her down the aisle. His touch burned like ice.

“Smile for the cameras,” he whispered. His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it, a threat.

She forced her lips into a gracious curve, all too aware of the sea of flashing cameras and watching eyes. Inside, her anger only deepened.

The reception was grandiose—a shimmering show of wealth and power. The chandelier above sparkled like stardust, sending golden hues over the guests. Rory moved through the crowd with calculated grace, accepting compliments and feigning thanks, her fiery spirit restrained behind a practiced facade.

Max stayed close, his presence overbearing and smothering. Despite the laughter and chatter surrounding them, the tension between the newlyweds was evident. To the unsuspecting onlooker, they were a pictureperfect pair. To Rory, this was nothing more than an elaborate jail.

Elijah’s voice broke through her thinking. “Well, if it isn’t the couple of the century,” he joked, his tone light yet dripping with mischief. Max’s younger brother was the full opposite of him—charming, playful, and seemingly harmless. But Rory had learned quickly that appearances were often deceptive.

“Elijah,” Max said curtly. “I wasn’t aware you’d be attending.”

Elijah smiled, ignoring the clear dismissal in Max’s tone. He turned to Rory, his blue eyes twinkling. “You look stunning, Rory. I can see why Max was so eager to seal the deal.”

Rory’s smile tightened. “Charming as always, Elijah.”

“It’s a gift,” he answered with a wink. Then, leaning closer, he whispered just loud enough for her to hear, “Careful with Max. He’s not as patient as I am.”

Max’s jaw tightened, his icy gaze locking onto Elijah. “That’s enough,” he said, his voice low but authoritative.

Elijah raised his hands in mock submission, a sly grin playing on his lips. “Just trying to lighten the mood. Don’t worry, brother. I’ll behave.” With that, he fled into the crowd, leaving Rory and Max standing in tense silence.

“Your brother has quite the personality,” Rory said, her tone filled with sarcasm.

“Ignore him,” Max answered. His voice was cold, final. “He thrives on creating chaos.”

Rory raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Max’s lips twitched, a ghost of a grin threatening to break through. But he said nothing, his gaze moving to the crowd as though dismissing her.

The hours dragged on, the weight of the day pressing hard on Rory’s shoulders. She longed for the quiet of her room, away from Max and the charade they were forced to maintain. Finally, as the last guest left and the grand hall emptied, she found herself alone with him.

“You played your part well,” Max said, his tone devoid of feeling. He loosened his tie, his moves precise and methodical.

“I’m glad my performance met your expectations,” she answered coolly.

Max’s eyes snapped to hers, sharp and unyielding. “I hope you understand what’s at stake here, Rory. This marriage isn’t just about us. It’s about survival.”

She met his look headon, her defiance unwavering. “Survival? Funny. From where I’m looking, it looks like you’re the only one benefitting from this arrangement.”

Max took a step closer, his presence frightening but not enough to make her back down. “You think I wanted this? You think I enjoy being tied to someone who despises me? We’re both stuck in this, Rory. The sooner you accept that, the better.”

She refused to look away, her voice steady despite the storm of feelings raging inside her. “I’ll never accept it. And I’ll never stop fighting.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was charged, heavy with unsaid words. Then, without another word, Max turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone in the poorly lit room.

Later that night, Rory sat on the edge of the massive bed in the room she now shared with Max. The room was luxurious, every detail meticulously made to exude wealth and power. But to Rory, it felt cold and impersonal—a mirror of the man she was now bound to.

She pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking slightly as she opened the tracking app. A small blinking dot appeared on the screen, showing Max’s location. Relief washed over her. The tracker was working.

Her lips curled into a small, pleased smile. This was her refuge, her way to stay one step ahead. She didn’t know what she would find, but she was determined to uncover the truth about Max and his goals.

You may think you’ve won, Max, she thought to herself. But this game is far from over.

As she looked at the screen, a sense of determination settled over her. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The next morning, Rory’s resolve was tried sooner than she expected. She awoke to find Max standing by the window, his figure framed by the soft morning light. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his face unreadable as he gazed out at the sprawling estate.

“You’re up early,” she said, her voice still groggy from sleep.

He didn’t turn to face her. “I have business to attend to.”

“Of course you do,” she mumbled under her breath.

Max’s gaze shifted to her, his piercing eyes studying her closely. “Try not to get into trouble while I’m gone.”

Rory’s jaw tightened. “I’m not a child, Max.”

“No,” he said, his tone serious. “You’re not. But you have a knack for finding it anyway.”

Before she could reply, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Rory watched him go, her mind racing. Whatever he was up to, she was determined to find out.

Hours later, Rory sat in the hidden study she had discovered soon after moving into the mansion. It had become her refuge, a place where she could think and plan without fear of interruption.

The tracker’s signal led her to a location downtown—a nondescript office building that seemed totally out of place for someone like Max. She stared at the blinking dot on her phone, her curiosity rising.

What are you hiding, Max?

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the key to unraveling the secret surrounding him. But if she was going to follow the lead, she needed to be careful. Max was no fool, and one mistake could cost her everything.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Rory slipped out of the house undetected. Her heart raced as she made her way to the address on the tracker. The city buzzed with life, but she felt totally alone as she approached the building.

The entrance was unremarkable, almost forgotten. She paused for a moment before stepping inside, her instincts on high alert. The air inside was cool, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow over the empty hallway.

She followed the signal to an elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The ride up was tense, each passing second amplifying her worry. When the doors finally slid open, she found herself in a dimly lit hallway. The tracker’s signal pointed to a door at the end of the hall.

Taking a deep breath, she approached the door and put her ear against it. Muffled voices reached her ears, their words unclear but tense. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but it was clear that whatever was happening inside was important.

Gathering her confidence, she tried the handle. It was locked. Frustration bubbled up inside her, but she quickly pushed it down. She needed to think.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Rory barely had time to step back before a man emerged. He was tall and broadshouldered, with a hardened look that made her stomach churn.

“Can I help you?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

Rory forced a smile, her mind racing for a reason. “I think I’m lost. I was looking for the… restroom.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, clearly unsure. Before he could press further, a familiar voice called out from inside the room.

“Let her in.”

Rory’s heart stopped. It was Max.

The man stepped aside, and Rory entered the room, her pulse beating in her ears. Max stood by a big desk, his expression cold and calculating. Papers and papers were scattered across the surface, and a large map adorned one wall, marked with pins and annotations.

“Care to explain what you’re doing here?” Max asked, his voice dangerously low.

Rory swallowed hard, her mind scrambling for an answer. “I was… curious.”

Max’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Curiosity can be dangerous, Rory. You have no idea what you’ve just walked into.”

Before she could answer, the door slammed shut behind her, and she realized with a sinking feeling that she was in way over her head.