Sophia woke the next morning to the sound of light rain tapping against the window. The soft gray light of dawn filled her room, accentuating the understated elegance of the space. Everything about Blackwood Manor seemed designed to intimidate, to remind her of how out of place she truly was.
Her first full day as Mrs. Blackwood had begun, and with it, a new reality she was still struggling to accept. After freshening up, she made her way downstairs to the dining room, where breakfast was already being served. A long table stretched before her, adorned with silver platters and fresh-cut flowers. The smell of brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. Adrian sat at the head of the table, reading a newspaper, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. His presence dominated the room, even in silence. “Good morning,” she said hesitantly, unsure of the protocol in her new role. Adrian glanced up, his piercing gray eyes meeting hers. “Good morning, Sophia. Please, sit.” She took a seat near him, noting the meticulous arrangement of the table. Everything about Adrian’s life seemed precise, controlled—much like the man himself. “I trust you slept well?” he asked, folding the newspaper neatly and setting it aside. “As well as I could,” Sophia replied, her tone neutral. Adrian nodded, pouring her a cup of coffee before passing it to her. “Today, I’d like to introduce you to the household staff and walk you through your responsibilities here. I want you to feel at home.” Sophia frowned. “Responsibilities?” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t think this marriage was purely symbolic, did you? You’ll have a role to play, both in managing the household and attending social events by my side.” She bristled at his tone, but before she could respond, a young woman entered the room, carrying a tablet. Her sharp suit and brisk demeanor screamed efficiency. “Mr. Blackwood,” she began, her eyes briefly flicking to Sophia before focusing on Adrian. “Your meeting with the board is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by a conference call at 2 p.m. I’ve also arranged for the files you requested to be delivered to your study.” “Thank you, Lauren,” Adrian said, dismissing her with a nod. Sophia watched the exchange in silence, feeling increasingly like an outsider in her own life. --- Later that day, Adrian led her through the sprawling manor, introducing her to the key staff members who kept the estate running like a well-oiled machine. The butler, Mr. Hawthorne, was as formal as ever, while the housekeeper, Mrs. Langley, offered a warm smile that put Sophia slightly at ease. As they walked, Adrian explained the expectations for her role. “You’ll oversee social gatherings, liaise with the staff on household matters, and accompany me to certain business events,” he said matter-of-factly. Sophia stopped in her tracks, folding her arms. “So, in addition to being your wife in name, I’m also supposed to be your personal assistant?” Adrian turned to face her, his expression calm but firm. “This marriage is a partnership, Sophia. I expect you to contribute in ways that align with your strengths. It’s not an unreasonable expectation.” Her jaw tightened. “And what about what I want? Does that factor into this... partnership?” Adrian’s gaze softened, though his tone remained measured. “I’m not asking you to give up your identity, Sophia. I’m asking you to adapt, just as I have. If there’s something you want—a project, a passion—you’ll have my full support. But this arrangement comes with responsibilities, for both of us.” Sophia stared at him, searching his face for any hint of vulnerability, any sign of the man behind the calculated exterior. But as always, Adrian was a fortress, impenetrable and enigmatic. “Fine,” she said finally, her voice clipped. “I’ll do what’s expected of me.” Adrian nodded, as though satisfied with her response. “Good. I’ll leave you to settle in.” --- That evening, after an exhausting day of meeting staff and familiarizing herself with the manor’s labyrinthine layout, Sophia retreated to the library. The room was a sanctuary, filled with towering bookshelves and plush armchairs. A crackling fire cast a warm glow across the space, and the faint scent of aged paper was oddly comforting. She wandered aimlessly, running her fingers along the spines of books she’d never have the time to read. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubts. Why had Adrian chosen her? Of all the women in the world, why force her into this life? And what was he hiding behind that stoic façade? Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the sound of wheels approaching until Adrian’s voice broke the silence. “Enjoying the library?” Sophia turned to see him at the entrance, his wheelchair blending seamlessly with the room’s dark wood tones. “It’s... peaceful,” she said, crossing her arms. “Though I’m starting to wonder if there’s a single part of this house that doesn’t feel like a museum.” Adrian chuckled softly, a rare sound that caught her off guard. “You’ll get used to it. In time, perhaps you’ll even find it feels like home.” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you?” His smile faded, replaced by a shadow of something she couldn’t quite place. “Home is a complicated concept for me, Sophia.” Before she could press further, Adrian wheeled himself closer, his gaze serious. “I wanted to speak with you privately about something.” Sophia tensed. “What is it?” “There’s a charity gala next weekend,” he said. “It’s one of the most significant events of the year, and I’ll need you to attend as my wife.” Her stomach twisted at the thought of being paraded around in front of strangers, but she nodded. “Fine. I’ll go.” Adrian studied her for a moment, then said, “Sophia, I know this isn’t easy for you. But I promise you, there’s a reason for everything I do. In time, you’ll understand.” His words sent a chill down her spine. She wanted to ask what he meant, but something in his expression stopped her. As Adrian turned to leave, Sophia called out, “Adrian?” He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Why me?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Why did you choose me for this?” For a moment, she thought he might actually answer, but instead, he simply said, “Because you’re different.” With that, he was gone, leaving Sophia alone in the flickering firelight, her mind racing with more questions than ever. —Sophia spent the next few days trying to adjust to her new role as Mrs. Blackwood. Adrian’s words from the library echoed in her mind: “Because you’re different.” The phrase unsettled her, not because it was untrue, but because she couldn’t decipher whether it was meant as a compliment or a warning. The charity gala loomed on the horizon, and with it, the growing pressure to present herself as Adrian’s perfect partner. Every decision he made seemed calculated, every word he said layered with meaning.Despite her outward defiance, Sophia couldn’t deny that part of her was intrigued by Adrian’s layers. She had seen glimpses of vulnerability in him, brief moments where the mask slipped. But those moments were fleeting, replaced by his usual air of authority and control.---That morning, Sophia wandered the manor, exploring its many rooms and corridors. She had hoped to find a place that felt like her own, somewhere she could breathe without feeling the weight of Blackwood Manor pressing
The morning sun filtered through the lace curtains of Sophia’s bedroom, its golden rays doing little to lift the heaviness in her chest. She had spent another restless night replaying the events in Adrian’s study, the image of her name scrawled across a file folder burned into her mind. Questions churned in her thoughts, each one sharper than the last.Why me? Why this marriage? What else hasn’t he told me?The mansion, with its endless corridors and imposing silence, felt suffocating. The sheer opulence of Blackwood Manor seemed to mock her confusion, its grandeur a stark contrast to the chaos swirling within her. Today, she resolved to uncover the truth. If Adrian wanted a partnership, it was time he started treating her like a partner—not a pawn.---Sophia descended the grand staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the polished wood floors. She entered the dining room, where Adrian was already seated at the head of the long table. He was impeccably dressed, as always, a dark
The soft hum of rain against the windows set the tone for another overcast morning at Blackwood Manor. Sophia stood in front of her vanity, gazing into the mirror but seeing far beyond her reflection. Her conversation with Adrian lingered in her mind, raising more questions than it had answered. The man she had married was a labyrinth of contradictions, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength—or the desire—to navigate it.But one thing was certain: if she was to remain in this marriage, she needed clarity, not only about Adrian but about herself.The sound of a light knock on her door drew her attention. “Come in,” she called, smoothing the fabric of her robe.The door creaked open, revealing Mrs. Langley, the housekeeper. Her warm smile brought an odd sense of comfort. “Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood. I’ve come to let you know Mr. Blackwood has asked for you to join him in his study after breakfast.”Sophia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Did he say why?”Mrs. Langley shook
The following morning dawned with an unusual brightness, the sunlight pouring through the large windows of Blackwood Manor. Yet, for all its brilliance, the day carried an unsettling weight for Sophia. The fragile equilibrium she and Adrian had started to build felt more tenuous than ever, as if one wrong move could shatter it entirely.She had awoken early, the warmth of the morning unable to dispel the chill that clung to her thoughts. Breakfast passed in silence, with Adrian focused on his tablet and Sophia pushing scrambled eggs around her plate. The dynamic between them had shifted, but the uncertainties between them remained unresolved.Sophia found herself wandering the halls again, her steps leading her to the east wing—a part of the manor she rarely explored. This section of the house seemed different, quieter, and more lived-in, with framed photographs lining the walls.Her curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped in front of a particular photograph. It was an image
The morning arrived with an air of anticipation, though Sophia couldn’t pinpoint why. As she dressed for the day, a sense of unease settled over her. Something was shifting in the atmosphere of Blackwood Manor, though she couldn’t yet discern what it was.Adrian had been uncharacteristically quiet since their conversation in the conservatory. His vulnerability had taken her by surprise, but it also left her with questions. Could she trust him to follow through on his promises? And what would it mean for their marriage if he didn’t?After breakfast, she wandered into the library, hoping the familiar comfort of books and the crackling fireplace would help ease her thoughts. She was leafing through a historical romance when the sound of a throat clearing startled her.“Mrs. Blackwood?”Sophia turned to see Mr. Hawthorne, the manor’s stoic butler, standing in the doorway.“Yes, Mr. Hawthorne?”“Mr. Blackwood has requested your presence in the east wing. He mentioned it was urgent.”Sophia
Sophia stared out the library window, the crescent moon casting silver light across the gardens below. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so conflicted. The tension in Blackwood Manor was a living, breathing, thing wrapping itself around her chest like an unrelenting weight.Her conversation with Adrian the night before had left her with a glimmer of hope, but it was fragile, like the first layer of ice on a winter pond. The deeper truth—the one she was unwilling to admit even to herself—was that she wanted to believe in Adrian, wanted to believe that he could be the man he claimed to want to become.“Lost in thought again?”The deep, familiar voice pulled her from her reverie. Adrian stood in the doorway, his sharp suit replaced with casual slacks and a fitted sweater that made him look less like the calculating billionaire she’d married and more like the man he could be in another life.“You have a habit of sneaking up on people,” Sophia said, forcing a lightness she did
The flickering fire in the library cast long, restless shadows on the walls as Sophia sat curled in one of the armchairs, her thoughts circling like vultures over the events of the last few days. The revelation in Adrian’s father’s study had left her feeling closer to him and, at the same time, more cautious. Trust was a fragile thing, and though she saw glimpses of the man he could be, the wounds of his deception still throbbed beneath the surface.A knock at the door interrupted her reverie. She looked up to see Lauren standing in the doorway, her ever-efficient demeanor softened by a rare look of hesitation.“Mrs. Blackwood,” Lauren began, her voice measured, “I apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Blackwood requested that you join him in his study.”Sophia frowned. Adrian had been unusually quiet all day, retreating to his study after breakfast and remaining there ever since. “Did he say what it was about?”Lauren shook her head. “No, but he seemed... unsettled.”Sophia sighed,
Sophia hesitated outside Adrian’s study, her fingers poised just above the heavy wooden door. The past few days had brought them closer, yet she still found herself second-guessing whether she could approach him with personal matters. But this wasn’t something she could avoid. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly.“Come in,” Adrian’s voice called out from within.She stepped inside, finding him seated at his desk, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the desk lamp. He glanced up, his eyes momentarily softening as they met hers.“Sophia,” he said, setting down the document he had been reading. “Is everything alright?”“I need to ask you something,” she began, clasping her hands nervously. “It’s about my mother. She’s not been well, and I’d like to visit her. But I wanted to check with you first. I know things have been tense with the situation at the company, and I didn’t want to leave without letting you know.”Adrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadab
The boardroom at Blackwood Global was a glass fortress—high above the city, suspended between ambition and judgment. Every seat was filled. Shareholders, executives, legal teams, and media advisors watched with wary eyes as Adrian Blackwood entered, cane in hand, jaw set like steel.He didn’t limp for effect. He didn’t need to. Every inch of him radiated command, and today, he wasn’t playing the crippled recluse.He was the man reclaiming his name.Sophia followed him inside, poised and unshakable, a storm in heels and silk. The room shifted as they moved. Whispers buzzed. Mercer hadn’t arrived yet—but his absence was its own threat.Adrian reached the head of the table, placed the flash drive down like a sword.“This meeting is no longer about quarterly earnings,” he said, voice calm but carrying. “It’s about truth.”A few chuckles escaped. Someone tried to speak—but Adrian raised a hand.“I won’t waste your time. For years, this company has been shadowed by one man’s control—Victor
The city glimmered below like a thousand secrets, each light a whisper of stories no one dared tell.Lauren Evans stepped into the old Blackstone Warehouse at the pier—once a shell company for Adrian’s early holdings, now abandoned. Dust clung to the floor, and the silence hummed with memories. This was where she’d helped him fake the medical records. Where they’d first begun the charade.Now it felt like a graveyard.She didn’t flinch when Sophia emerged from the shadows.“I thought you’d bring security,” Lauren said flatly.“I figured if you were going to kill me, you wouldn’t have waited this long.”A beat of silence passed. Lauren smirked. “Fair enough.”Sophia crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “Why did you come?”Lauren let out a slow breath. “Because I’m tired. Of Mercer. Of lies. Of pretending like I don’t know who I became.”“Then do something about it.”Lauren walked past her, stopping by the crates stacked like forgotten ghosts. “I gave everything to Adrian. Loyal
The silence in the hospital room was thick—too thick.Sophia sat by Adrian’s bedside, her fingers curled around his, her thumb tracing circles over his knuckles. He hadn’t spoken since they brought him in. Not much, anyway. Just mumbled fragments in between waves of pain and morphine.But now, in the sterile quiet of the private recovery suite, there was no distraction left. No tunnel walls. No gunfire. No one but the two of them—and the questions that hung in the air like ghosts.Adrian stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the dim light. His gaze found hers instantly, like a magnet to steel.“Hey,” she whispered.He tried to smile. It was more of a grimace. “Hey.”Sophia leaned in, brushing his damp hair back from his forehead. “You scared me. Again.”“I know.” His voice was raw, raspy. “I’m sorry.”“You don’t have to be sorry for getting shot,” she murmured, voice trembling with the effort to stay light.His eyes searched hers, dark and unreadable. “Not just for
Rain fell softly.Not a downpour. Not a storm. Just a quiet drizzle, like the world was trying to wash away the blood and lies that had soaked too deep into their bones.Sophia sat by Adrian’s hospital bed, a thin blanket draped around her shoulders. Her clothes were still damp from the forest, her knuckles scraped, her body sore. But none of that mattered. Not when the man lying unconscious beside her had nearly died—for the second time in as many weeks.The machines around them beeped with steady rhythm, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Each one was a small victory. Proof that he was still here.Still hers.Her fingers hovered near his, close enough to feel his warmth but afraid to touch him, as if contact would shatter the fragile peace that hung between life and loss. The room was dimly lit, shadows cast by the blinking monitors. The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air, mixing with the faint aroma of rain from the window left slightly ajar.It reminded her
Sophia couldn’t move.Her back was against the damp stone wall, Adrian beside her, barely upright, bleeding and pale. But it wasn’t his condition that stole her breath this time—it was the gun pointed straight at them.Lauren stood just feet away, framed by the flickering tunnel light, dressed in her usual tailored black but with an edge to her presence that Sophia had never seen before. Her cool, professional poise was still intact, but her eyes… they were wild. Sharp. Dangerous.Adrian's jaw tightened. “Lauren. You’re working with Mercer.”Lauren smiled, slow and cold. “Well, someone had to clean up after your messes. And Mercer offered a better position.”Sophia’s voice was barely a whisper. “You were his assistant. You said you believed in Adrian. That you chose him.”“I did.” Lauren’s expression faltered—just for a second. “But belief only gets you so far when you're treated like you’re invisible. Disposable. Do you even remember the last time you actually thanked me, Adrian?”Ad
The tunnel stretched on endlessly, winding through the cold earth like a forgotten secret. The only light came from Simon’s flashlight, flickering against the damp stone walls. Sophia kept her hand entwined with Adrian’s, though his grip had loosened—his steps slower, staggered. She could feel it now more than ever: his body was failing him.“Adrian,” she said softly, her voice barely rising above the echo of their footsteps. “You’re bleeding again.”“I’m fine.” His answer was mechanical, like it had been all night.She halted, refusing to move until he turned to face her. “No, you’re not.”He tried to tug her forward, but his strength faltered. The moment his weight shifted, he stumbled against the wall, groaning under his breath.Simon spun around. “That’s it. We’re stopping. He’s losing too much blood.”“I said I’m—” Adrian’s protest faded as his knees buckled.“Adrian!” Sophia caught him, her arms wrapping around his waist as he slumped into her.Simon moved fast, shrugging off hi
The air in the underground tunnel was thick with tension, a suffocating mix of fear, urgency, and uncertainty. The faint echo of footsteps reverberated off the stone walls as Sophia tried to match her pace with Adrian’s, but it was hard to focus on anything other than the weight of his hand wrapped tightly around her wrist. The force with which he held her was almost as if he were trying to pull her into his strength, into his battle, to shield her from everything that was coming.But she knew—she knew—that it wasn’t going to be that simple. Not anymore."Adrian…" Her voice was a whisper, but it seemed to echo in the thick darkness of the tunnel.He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he continued to lead them forward with a steady, determined stride, his jaw clenched and his back rigid. His eyes—those eyes that had always held a storm, even in the calmest of moments—were darker now, filled with something raw and dangerous. She could see it in the set of his shoulders, the tension in
The hallway of Blackwood Manor felt like a labyrinth. The walls, adorned with heavy tapestries and portraits, closed in on her as she paced, unable to shake the sense of impending doom. Sophia’s thoughts were clouded, her heart a chaotic swirl of emotions. The memory of Adrian’s promise to keep her safe lingered in her mind, but she couldn’t push past the fear that clawed at her insides. What had happened to him? she wondered desperately. Where was he? The echoes of gunfire still rang in her ears, and the explosion of chaos that had unfolded downstairs was fresh in her memory. Adrian’s face, that cold determination, still burned in her mind—an image of him fighting with all his strength, all his rage. But what had it cost him? What had it cost them both? She pressed a trembling hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. Adrian had always been a man who kept his emotions buried, his plans hidden behind walls of stone. She had learned that much in their time together. But ton
Darkness still clung to the edges of the room, the scent of gunpowder lingering in the air like a ghost of the chaos that had unfolded. Sophia’s breath came in shallow gasps, her fingers trembling as she clutched Adrian’s hand.His grip was firm, steady, but his eyes… they held something dangerous. A storm of fury.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. "Adrian… what did you do?"Adrian didn’t answer right away. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles, an unspoken promise in the gesture, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.Simon stepped forward, his face grim. "She should rest. We need to get her somewhere safe."Adrian finally exhaled, his voice a low growl. "She’s not staying here."Sophia struggled to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain in her ribs. "Adrian, you can’t keep running from this. You can’t fight every battle alone."His jaw clenched. "This isn’t just about me anymore, Sophia. Mercer sent men to kill you. This war just got personal."A shiver ran down her