civil ceremony had ended less than five minutes ago, but it already felt like a memory from someone else's life. The

expected a smile. But the emptiness of the m

ly from the doorway, interrupting her tho

. Blackwood. It didn't feel real. It fe

please,"

laughter, not even the sound of footsteps from anyone else. The house was filled with luxury but completely st

a wedding dress - untouched - hanging by the wardrobe. White lace a

inner will be brought to your room by s

he does, s

" she repli

oft mattress sank beneath her, but she didn't relax. Her fingers curle

n who didn't want her, didn't know her, a

this? she wondered. What

-

s pa

rdens - trimmed to perfection - stretching out like a maze of green and marble. Beyond them

ct she had signed. Of Tommy, who would soon start school with books and uni

id it fee

oasted vegetables, and delicate pastries - she could

with nightfall came the dread. Was he going to co

left for her in a drawer. She sat

ever

-

ock of a maid who brought her breakfast and informed her t

art st

d in another sharp suit. The room smelled of leather and cedarwood. Shelv

turn when

he said

e

s settled. His eyes were unre

o accompany me to public events. You will be given proper attire and b

fists in her lap. "Is that a

slightly, but his expres

But understand this - this arrangement benefits

at him. "Do

don't know you e

. "Then why choose

eyes - so fast she almost mis

said shortly. "That's

long silence

or this afternoon to finalize property paperwork. Af

?" she

will not leave the estate without m

a prison

tected," he

Dressed in silk, fed like royalt

. He didn't say

alked

-

arned the layout of the manor, the names of the staff, and which halls stayed c

ut otherwise, he disappeared into work and meetings and phone calls. She heard whispers amon

een the pages of an old book. It showed a young Alexander - maybe in hi

ent to Hawthor

that picture..

ble. "That was Mr. Blackwood's

ow

r. She was very close to h

he armor she'd been building around her heart. Was

t kind of man Alexander Blackwood had b

-

a month into the marriage, s

he rain. It fell in silver sheets, painting the world in soft

to be out in this wea

her did I expect you to s

hed - almost a

r a moment, neither spoke. The s

th my sister," he said sudd

s weren't so cold in that mom

Elena said softl

e w

her

ry you l

but said no

her, he asked, "Why did

eath c

My family. My brother. My moth

ly looke

think," he said quietly. "W

inside, leaving Elena standin

-

accompanying Alexander to a charity gala hosted by the cit

last - deep blues, rich burgundy, soft gold - and each felt foreign on her skin. In the end, she chose a m

flickered over her attire. If he was impressed, he didn't

presentabl

t smile. "And you're

ugged at his li

-

d sharp conversations. Elena had never seen so much wealth in one place. Laughter tinkled through the air

d in. Men greeted him with firm handshakes and careful respect.

ide, as instructed

n it ha

oached. Her name was Miranda Vale, a well-known socialite an

pletely. "You've been hiding, haven't you? And this

hit Elena

nder stepped forward slightly

aid, his tone icy. "You'

startled. "It w

r said sharply. "And if you can't show basic

ent quiet

arrassment and stormed a

ned. Not by Miranda - bu

I won't allow anyone to treat you like that. No matter how thi

inessman. She saw a man shaped by grief, harden

e, they sat in silence for

protect me

one protected my sister when they shoul

chest ti

said quietly. "But that doesn't m

- really looked - and something in hi

-

m, watching the moonlight bathe the gardens in silver.

in a mansion. Still a w

thing ha

mystery. A man

a flicker of warm

didn't know wh

t