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Chapter Six: Cracks in the Facade
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2025-01-02 20:42:20
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The billionaire's secret vows Chapter Seven: Beneath the Surface
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-03The billionaire's secret vows Chapter eight: Shadows of the Past
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-04The billionaire's secret vows Chapter Nine: Fractured Truths
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-04The billionaire's secret vows Chapter Ten: The Weight of Choices
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-05The billionaire's secret vows Chapter Eleven: Unraveling the Threads
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-05The billionaire's secret vows Chapter Twelve: The Unseen Storm
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,
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-06The billionaire's secret vows Chapter thirteen: Bonds of Blood and Secrets
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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-07The billionaire's secret vows Chapter fourteen: The Unraveling Threads
Sophia stepped into Blackwood Manor, the warmth of her visit to her parents lingering in her heart. Yet as the grand doors closed behind them, she couldn’t ignore the shift in Adrian’s demeanor. The tenderness he’d shown during their time with her family seemed to retreat behind his usual stoicism.Adrian moved ahead of her, his steps purposeful as they echoed against the marble floor. He paused at the base of the grand staircase, glancing back at her. “Sophia,” he said, his voice measured. “There’s something I need to attend to in my study. I won’t keep you long.”“Of course,” she replied, her curiosity piqued by his abrupt shift.He nodded and ascended the stairs, leaving her standing in the quiet expanse of the manor. Sophia sighed, removing her coat and handing it to Mrs. Langley, who greeted her with a warm smile.“Everything alright, dear?” the housekeeper asked gently.Sophia nodded, though uncertainty flickered in her chest. “I think so. It’s just been... a long day.”Mrs. Lan
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-07
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The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 74 – Shattered Trust, Steeled Hearts
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
The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 73 – Ashes and Aftermath
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
The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 72 – Ties That Choke and Threads That Break
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 billionaire's secret vows Chapter 71 – Fragile Hearts, Dangerous Promises
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 billionaire's secret vows Chapter 70 – Shattered Shields
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 billionaire's secret vows Chapter 69 – Betrayal’s Shadow
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
The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 68 – Shadows of Vengeance
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
The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 67 – A Debt in Blood
The room was bathed in shadows, broken only by the dim glow of the bedside lamp where Sophia lay unconscious. The scent of antiseptic mingled with the lingering metallic tang of blood, creating a suffocating weight in the air.Adrian crouched low, his gun steady in his grip, his heart a relentless drum in his chest. His every instinct screamed at him to eliminate the threat, but the voice from the hallway froze him in place."Come out, Blackwood. Let’s finish this."The voice was familiar—too familiar.Adrian’s blood turned to ice. His grip tightened around the gun, his knuckles whitening."No. It can’t be—"Simon moved with the precision of a trained soldier, gun raised as he positioned himself by the shattered window. His jaw was tight, eyes scanning for movement. "Adrian," he murmured, "you need to get Sophia out of here. I’ll handle this."Adrian shook his head. "No," he said, voice low and lethal. "This ends tonight."The tension in the air crackled, an electric charge before a s
The billionaire's secret vows Chapter 66 – Reckoning in Blood
Adrian’s pulse thundered in his ears as he clutched Sophia’s limp body against him."No, no, no—stay with me," he rasped, pressing his palm to the wound at her side. Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and unforgiving.Sophia’s lashes fluttered, a faint whimper escaping her lips. Her breathing was shallow—too shallow."Hold on, baby," Adrian whispered. "I need you to hold on."Simon cursed under his breath, stepping into the room, his gun still raised. His gaze locked onto the pool of crimson spreading beneath Sophia."Shit," he muttered. "We need to move. Now."Adrian’s head snapped up, fury burning through the despair clawing at his chest. "Who was that?!" he demanded.Simon didn’t answer immediately. His lips pressed into a grim line as he checked the bodies in the hall. "They were professionals," he said darkly. "Not just hired thugs. Someone sent them knowing exactly what they were doing."Adrian’s jaw clenched. His world was unraveling. His enemies were no longer content with
