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Chapter eight: Shadows of the Past
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2025-01-04 02:39:20
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The 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 wingâa 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
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-04The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter Ten: The Weight of Choices
The morning arrived with an air of anticipation, though Sophia couldnât 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 couldnât 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 didnât?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.âMrs. Blackwood?âSophia turned to see Mr. Hawthorne, the manorâs stoic butler, standing in the doorway.âYes, Mr. Hawthorne?ââMr. Blackwood has requested your presence in the east wing. He mentioned it was urgent.âSophia
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 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 couldnât remember the last time sheâd 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 truthâthe one she was unwilling to admit even to herselfâwas that she wanted to believe in Adrian, wanted to believe that he could be the man he claimed to want to become.âLost in thought again?âThe 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 sheâd married and more like the man he could be in another life.âYou have a habit of sneaking up on people,â Sophia said, forcing a lightness she did
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 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 Adrianâs fatherâs 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.âMrs. Blackwood,â Lauren began, her voice measured, âI apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Blackwood requested that you join him in his study.âSophia frowned. Adrian had been unusually quiet all day, retreating to his study after breakfast and remaining there ever since. âDid he say what it was about?âLauren shook her head. âNo, but he seemed... unsettled.âSophia sighed,
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-06The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter thirteen: Bonds of Blood and Secrets
Sophia hesitated outside Adrianâs 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 wasnât something she could avoid. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly.âCome in,â Adrianâs 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.âSophia,â he said, setting down the document he had been reading. âIs everything alright?ââI need to ask you something,â she began, clasping her hands nervously. âItâs about my mother. Sheâs not been well, and Iâd 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 didnât want to leave without letting you know.âAdrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadab
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 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 couldnât ignore the shift in Adrianâs demeanor. The tenderness heâd 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. âSophia,â he said, his voice measured. âThereâs something I need to attend to in my study. I wonât keep you long.ââOf course,â 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.âEverything alright, dear?â the housekeeper asked gently.Sophia nodded, though uncertainty flickered in her chest. âI think so. Itâs just been... a long day.âMrs. Lan
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-07The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter Fifteen: Beneath the Surface
The first rays of dawn cast a golden glow over the Blackwood Manor as Adrian and Sophia stood together on the balcony. The silence between them was comfortable, but Sophia's mind churned with the weight of Adrianâs revelations.When they finally stepped back inside, Adrian glanced at the clock. âI have an early meeting,â he said, his tone resigned. âBut Iâll keep my phone on in case you need anything.âSophia nodded, her gaze lingering on him as he prepared to leave. âBe careful,â she said softly, a flicker of worry in her voice.Adrian smiled faintly. âAlways.âWith that, he left the room, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts. She paced the length of their bedroom, replaying their conversation about Lauren. The idea of betrayal still gnawed at her, and she couldnât shake the feeling that there was more to the story than met the eye.She resolved to speak with Lauren herself. If anyone could provide clarity, it was the woman who had been Adrianâs right hand for years.---Sophia fou
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-08The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter sixteen: The Shattered Mask
The morning unfolded in an atmosphere of tense anticipation. Every sound seemed amplifiedâthe distant hum of voices from the staff, the faint creak of the manorâs old wooden floors. Sophia sat beside Adrian in the dining room, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her teacup. Across from her, Adrian was unusually quiet, his sharp gaze betraying the storm of emotions simmering beneath his composed exterior.âDo they have everything they need to confirm the source?â Sophia finally asked, breaking the silence.Adrian nodded, his jaw tightening. âThe messages were traced to an account linked to someone in the manor. Iâll have answers by the end of the day.âSophia swallowed hard. She wanted to offer words of comfort, but the uncertainty looming over them left her grasping for the right thing to say. Instead, she reached for Adrianâs hand, squeezing it gently.He looked at her then, his expression softening. âWhatever happens, I need you to stay out of this. Itâs not your fight.ââIt i
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-08
āļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ
The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter 74 â Shattered Trust, Steeled Hearts
The silence in the hospital room was thickâtoo thick.Sophia sat by Adrianâs bedside, her fingers curled around his, her thumb tracing circles over his knuckles. He hadnât 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 themâand 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.âHey,â she whispered.He tried to smile. It was more of a grimace. âHey.âSophia leaned in, brushing his damp hair back from his forehead. âYou scared me. Again.ââI know.â His voice was raw, raspy. âIâm sorry.ââYou donât have to be sorry for getting shot,â she murmured, voice trembling with the effort to stay light.His eyes searched hers, dark and unreadable. âNot just for
The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter 73 â 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 Adrianâs 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 diedâfor 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 â Ties That Choke and Threads That Break
Sophia couldnât move.Her back was against the damp stone wall, Adrian beside her, barely upright, bleeding and pale. But it wasnât his condition that stole her breath this timeâit 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 eyesâĶ they were wild. Sharp. Dangerous.Adrian's jaw tightened. âLauren. Youâre working with Mercer.âLauren smiled, slow and cold. âWell, someone had to clean up after your messes. And Mercer offered a better position.âSophiaâs voice was barely a whisper. âYou were his assistant. You said you believed in Adrian. That you chose him.ââI did.â Laurenâs expression falteredâjust for a second. âBut belief only gets you so far when you're treated like youâre invisible. Disposable. Do you even remember the last time you actually thanked me, Adrian?âAd
The billionaire's secret vows    Chapter 71 â Fragile Hearts, Dangerous Promises
The tunnel stretched on endlessly, winding through the cold earth like a forgotten secret. The only light came from Simonâs flashlight, flickering against the damp stone walls. Sophia kept her hand entwined with Adrianâs, though his grip had loosenedâhis steps slower, staggered. She could feel it now more than ever: his body was failing him.âAdrian,â she said softly, her voice barely rising above the echo of their footsteps. âYouâre bleeding again.ââIâm fine.â His answer was mechanical, like it had been all night.She halted, refusing to move until he turned to face her. âNo, youâre not.âHe 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. âThatâs it. Weâre stopping. Heâs losing too much blood.ââI said Iâmââ Adrianâs protest faded as his knees buckled.âAdrian!â 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 â 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 Adrianâs, 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 knewâshe knewâthat it wasnât going to be that simple. Not anymore."AdrianâĶ" Her voice was a whisper, but it seemed to echo in the thick darkness of the tunnel.He didnât answer immediately. Instead, he continued to lead them forward with a steady, determined stride, his jaw clenched and his back rigid. His eyesâthose eyes that had always held a storm, even in the calmest of momentsâwere 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 â Betrayalâs 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. Sophiaâs thoughts were clouded, her heart a chaotic swirl of emotions. The memory of Adrianâs promise to keep her safe lingered in her mind, but she couldnât 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. Adrianâs face, that cold determination, still burned in her mindâan 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 â 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. Sophiaâs breath came in shallow gasps, her fingers trembling as she clutched Adrianâs hand.His grip was firm, steady, but his eyesâĶ they held something dangerous. A storm of fury.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. "AdrianâĶ what did you do?"Adrian didnât 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. "Sheâs not staying here."Sophia struggled to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain in her ribs. "Adrian, you canât keep running from this. You canât fight every battle alone."His jaw clenched. "This isnât 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 â 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. Letâs finish this."The voice was familiarâtoo familiar.Adrianâs blood turned to ice. His grip tightened around the gun, his knuckles whitening."No. It canât beâ"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. Iâll 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 â Reckoning in Blood
Adrianâs pulse thundered in his ears as he clutched Sophiaâs limp body against him."No, no, noâstay with me," he rasped, pressing his palm to the wound at her side. Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and unforgiving.Sophiaâs lashes fluttered, a faint whimper escaping her lips. Her breathing was shallowâtoo 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."Adrianâs head snapped up, fury burning through the despair clawing at his chest. "Who was that?!" he demanded.Simon didnât 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."Adrianâs jaw clenched. His world was unraveling. His enemies were no longer content with
