Chapter 5: Welcome To Blackwood Family
869 Words
Camera flashes exploded outside the mansion gates.
Reporters pushed against the security barriers, shouting Damien's name from every direction.
"Mr. Blackwood!"
"Is it true you're married?"
"Who is the woman beside you?"
"Please give us a statement!"
Amara instinctively stepped backward.
Her heart pounded wildly.
She had never seen so many reporters in one place.
Just yesterday, she had been worrying about hospital bills.
Now, the whole city wanted to know who she was.
She looked at Damien.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
Damien calmly buttoned his suit jacket.
"There is nothing to say."
"But they're waiting for you."
"They can wait."
His calmness surprised her.
The assistant stepped forward.
"Sir, should I ask security to clear the gate?"
Damien nodded once.
"Do it."
Within seconds, several security guards rushed outside.
The loud voices slowly faded as the gates were closed completely.
Silence returned to the mansion.
Amara finally released the breath she had been holding.
"I don't belong here."
Damien looked at her.
"Neither did I."
She frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"You'll understand someday."
Before she could ask another question, Mrs. Harris entered the room.
"Mr. Blackwood, your grandmother has arrived."
For the first time since they met...
Damien's expression changed.
"Bring her in."
A few moments later, the front doors opened.
An elderly woman walked inside with graceful steps.
Although her hair was silver, her sharp eyes missed nothing.
She carried herself with the confidence of someone who had built an empire long before Damien inherited it.
Her gaze settled on Amara.
For a long moment...
She said nothing.
Amara suddenly felt nervous.
Had Damien's grandmother already decided she wasn't good enough?
The old woman walked closer.
She looked Amara up and down before a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"So..."
"You're the young woman who finally made my stubborn grandson get married."
Amara blinked in surprise.
"I..."
Before she could explain, the elderly woman took both of her hands.
"My name is Evelyn Blackwood."
"Welcome to the family."
Amara stood speechless.
She had expected rejection.
Instead...
She was welcomed.
But deep inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that peace like this never lasted for long.
Mrs. Harris smiled warmly.
"I'll prepare a room for Miss Cole."
Damien looked at her.
"No."
Everyone turned toward him.
"She'll stay in the master's bedroom."
Amara's eyes widened immediately.
"What?"
Mrs. Harris blinked in surprise but quickly nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."
The housekeeper quietly left the room.
Amara lowered her voice.
"I thought this was only a contract marriage."
"It is."
"Then why should we share a room?"
Damien put both hands into his pockets.
"Because everyone in this house must believe we're husband and wife."
"I don't like this."
"You don't have to."
His answer came calmly.
"You only have to play your role."
Before Amara could argue again, another voice echoed through the living room.
"I knew it!"
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A beautiful young woman dressed in an expensive red dress stood there.
Her eyes were filled with anger.
She walked straight toward Damien before stopping in front of him.
"So the rumors are true."
Her gaze shifted to Amara.
"And this is the woman you married?"
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Damien's expression remained unreadable.
"Vanessa."
"You disappeared for two days and came back with a wife?"
She laughed bitterly.
"I must say... I never expected this."
Vanessa slowly circled Amara, looking her up and down.
"So this is your choice?"
She folded her arms.
"She doesn't look like someone who belongs in the Blackwood family."
Amara felt embarrassed, but she refused to lower her head.
She met Vanessa's eyes.
"I never said I belonged here."
Vanessa smirked.
"At least you know."
Mrs. Harris stepped forward.
"Miss Vanessa..."
Vanessa ignored her.
She took another step closer to Amara.
"Tell me."
"How much did he pay you?"
Silence filled the room.
Amara froze.
She had expected questions.
But not that one.
Vanessa smiled proudly.
"Because everyone knows Damien Blackwood doesn't fall in love."
"So tell me..."
"How much was the deal?"
Before Amara could answer...
Damien spoke.
His cold voice cut through the silence.
"That's enough."
Vanessa turned toward him.
"Are you defending her?"
"I'm warning you."
His eyes became colder than ever.
"My wife deserves your respect."
The entire room fell silent.
Even Vanessa looked shocked.
She had known Damien for years.
Never once had he defended another woman.
She clenched her fists.
"This isn't over."
Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the mansion.
The front door slammed shut.
Amara slowly looked at Damien.
"You didn't have to defend me."
He looked at her for a brief moment.
"I wasn't defending you."
"I was protecting my name."
His answer was as cold as ever.
But somehow...
It still made Amara's heart beat a little faster.
Far away, inside her car, Vanessa wiped the tears from her face.
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"I need your help."
A man's voice answered from the other end.
"What happened?"
Vanessa's eyes filled with hatred.
"Damien got married."
There was a long silence.
Then the man laughed softly.
"So..."
"The game has finally begun."
- Writer
