Chapter 7: A Cold Welcome
338 Words
The moment the front doors of Blackwood Mansion closed behind them, Ethan released Ava's hand.
The warm smile he had worn for the cameras disappeared.
"We're alone now," he said. "You don't have to pretend."
Ava let out a long breath.
"I wasn't pretending."
Ethan glanced at her but said nothing.
Before either of them could continue, the butler approached.
"Mr. Blackwood, your grandmother is waiting in the Blue Hall."
Ethan's expression hardened.
"She's here?"
"She arrived an hour ago."
Without another word, Ethan turned to Ava.
"Come with me."
They entered the Blue Hall, where an elegant elderly woman sat in a high-backed chair, a silver cane resting beside her.
Her sharp eyes landed on Ava immediately.
"So..." she said slowly, "this is the woman who married my grandson."
Ava smiled politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Blackwood."
The older woman didn't return the smile.
Instead, she looked Ava up and down.
"A schoolteacher's daughter."
She paused.
"No family fortune. No social status."
The room fell silent.
Ava felt every servant watching.
Ethan stepped forward.
"Grandmother."
His voice was calm but firm.
"She is my wife."
The old woman sighed.
"I hope you've made the right decision, Ethan."
Before Ava could respond, another voice echoed from the doorway.
"I don't think he has."
A tall, elegant woman walked into the room wearing a designer dress and diamond earrings.
She stopped beside Ethan with a confident smile.
"Hello, Ethan."
He frowned.
"Victoria."
She turned to Ava and extended her hand.
"I'm Victoria Hart."
Her smile never reached her eyes.
"Ethan and I were supposed to get married."
Ava's heart skipped a beat.
Victoria leaned closer and whispered so only Ava could hear.
"You may have his last name..."
"...but you'll never have his heart."
Ava forced herself to smile.
She had expected a difficult year.
She hadn't expected to face the woman who believed she should have been Mrs. Blackwood.
And deep inside, Ava realized this wasn't a welcome.
It was the beginning of a war.
- Writer
