In a world where vampires rule behind the veil of secrecy, Ryan Saint is a cold, domineering billionaire CEO and one of the world’s most renowned neurosurgeons. Ruthless in business and relationships alike, he’s untouchable—until an unexpected twist binds him to someone he never expected.

Mia Walls, a warm-hearted pediatrician with a mysterious past, lives in the human world, completely unaware of the supernatural forces surrounding her. She’s driven, kind, and fiercely independent—a woman who doesn’t believe in fate, let alone mates.

When their lives collide through a sudden contract marriage—meant to silence pressure from Ryan’s powerful vampire grandfather—they're forced to play a game neither of them wants. What starts as pretense soon tangles with unspoken emotions, stolen glances, and dangerous secrets.

Mia doesn’t know the truth about Ryan's world… yet.
Ryan refuses to believe he could ever be bound to one woman… until her warmth starts melting his icy walls.

But love isn’t safe in a world built on lies.
And the greatest threat might be what they’re both trying hardest to deny—
their feelings.

I never thought I'd say it, but things were… easier.


Eric had been a blessing in disguise. Since his parents left for another business trip, he'd brought light and laughter into the penthouse. And somehow, he became the bridge between me and Ryan.


It started with shared breakfasts. Then silly jokes. Then quiet glances that held more weight than they should.


Ryan was still hard to read—distant, composed, cold. But I'd caught glimpses. Small ones. The way he ruffled Eric's hair when he thought I wasn't looking. The subtle smiles during dinner. The way he watched me when he thought I didn't notice.


So when he told me he was leaving, I didn't ask why.


"A two-month business trip to France," he said casually over dinner, eyes fixed on his glass of wine.


But something in his voice didn't quite ring true.


I nodded slowly, biting back the unease twisting in my stomach. "Be safe."


He stared at me a second too long. "Take care of Eric."


He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, then rose from his chair without another word.


And that night, as I helped Eric brush his teeth and tucked him into bed, I couldn't help feeling like something important had just slipped through my fingers.


But then why did it feel like something inside me left with him?


That's what I told Mia. That's what the staff believes. What the human world thinks.


There were matters only I could handle—issues concerning the council, our growing presence near the southern border, and whispers of unrest. The kind of unrest that could ruin centuries of carefully guarded secrets if even one wrong human found out.


Mia wasn't supposed to matter. She was just a contract. A beautiful, sharp-tongued woman with too much kindness in her eyes.


But because of what she was starting to mean to me.


I looked out the window of the jet, the lights of New York fading beneath us, and all I could think about was the way her lips curved when she smiled at Eric… the way she never let me in, but never really shut me out either.


I told myself this distance was necessary.


Chapter 17 - Chapter17: Underneath the Silence