|| KNOX's POV ||

From the moment I agreed to my godfather’s proposal, a weight settled on my shoulders, heavy and unrelenting. It was a decision that felt both necessary and abhorrent, a move to secure my position in the city while simultaneously shattering the trust of the woman I loved. Stella. The thought of her face, so full of life and trust, haunted me as I navigated the treacherous waters of power and betrayal.

I had always been ambitious, driven by a desire for control and influence. The city was a complex web of alliances and rivalries, and maintaining power meant making difficult choices. My godfather, a man deeply...