Married To My Father's Enemy

His Rules

I began hating Ethan Blackwood the morning he reminded me that I was nothing but a signature on a piece of paper.

I had barely finished breakfast when he walked into the dining room, no greeting as usual and he didn't sit down. He simply placed a black folder on the table in front of me.

"Read it." He told me bluntly.

I looked at the folder, then at him. "Good morning to you too." I sneered at him.

His expression didn't change. "Read it, Aria."

I opened it and pulled out a printed list. It had rules written on it, more rules. I lifted my eyebrows and looked at him.

"You're kidding."

He didn't respond and that alone was my answer. I scanned the page, my disgust increased at every word.

"Curfew at ten. No leaving the estate without permission. No entering the west wing. No accessing your husband's private office. No questioning the staff about family matters."

I looked up. "Anything else? Or should I ask permission before breathing?"

"If necessary." He responded unphased.

I laughed bitterly. "You know what? You're unbelievable."

"You agreed to this." His eyes remained cold.

"I agreed to a marriage contract, I didn't agree to becoming your prisoner."

"You agreed to everything written in that contract."

I slammed the folder shut. "You didn't tell me there would be a list of rules." I heaved, staring at him.

"You didn't ask." He was unbelievably calm.

"I shouldn't have to ask!"

Ethan leaned closer. "You should have read before signing."

The words silenced me, his words silenced me because I knew damn well he was right.

He straightened. "You wanted your mother's bills paid. Your debts cleared and your father's debts settled."

My chest tightened at the mention of my father. "Don't use my family against me."

"I'm stating facts."

"No. You're reminding me that you bought me."

His expression hardened. "I didn't buy you."

"Then what did you do?" I asked, almost teary.

"I gave you an opportunity."

I stood so quickly the chair scraped against the marble floor. "You gave me a choice between starving and marrying you."

"And you chose." His eyes narrowed.

I stared at him, I had never hated anyone this quickly. "You're a horrible man." I snapped.

"Good." He replied. I blinked, he didn't even look offended. "If hating me makes you follow the rules, then hate me."

Then he walked away, I just stood there, with my fists clenched. I wanted to throw the folder at his head, instead, I whispered, "I already do."

He stopped and for a moment, I thought he'd turn, he didn't. He simply continued walking.

****

The rest of the morning was miserable, every door seemed to remind me that I wasn't free. Every servant knew the rules, and every hallway felt like Ethan's territory.

I decided I needed fresh air, the garden seemed safe enough. It was beautiful, at least. Rows of roses surrounded a stone fountain, and beyond the garden stretched a wall covered in ivy.

I walked toward it, desperate to get away from the suffocating mansion.

"Enjoying your freedom?"

I turned, Ethan stood on the terrace. My relaxed face twisted into a frown almost instantly.

"I thought you were working."

"I am."

"Then why are you watching me?" I scanned the garden with my eyes and looked away from him.

"Because you're standing near the eastern gate." He replied.

I glanced behind me. "So?" I took more steps further.

"You're not permitted there." He retorted. “Go inside now.”

I stared at him. "You're serious? I'm not a child."

His expression remained emotionless. "Children usually understand instructions faster."

Something about the tone made my stomach twist, but anger burned hotter than fear. "You can't order me around forever.”

He walked toward me. “Go inside.” He pointed toward the mansion, his eyes held mine. "For one year, I can."

I hated him, God, I hated him but then I turned sharply and marched toward the house.

****

I found a man in the garden an hour later, from his looks I could say he was the softer side of Ethan.

He was leaning against the stone wall, scrolling through his phone, he looked up when he saw me.

"Already fighting with Ethan?" He asked.

I stopped. “And you are?” I inquired.

“Damien.” He flashed me a smile. “Ethan's brother.”

I nodded then I asked. "How did you know? About the fight.”

He smiled again. "Everyone fights with Ethan."

I almost laughed. "Then why does everyone tolerate him?" I scoffed.

"Money." Damien was blunt with his answer, which was rational.

"Figures." I shrugged.

Damien put his phone away. "You know, you don't have to let him treat you like this."

I frowned and backed a little away. "What do you suggest?"

"Push back." He winked at me.

"I tried." I said, deep down I was sad that I was almost admitting defeat.

"And?" Damien pressed.

"He threatened to make my life miserable." I sighed.

Damien's smile faded. "He meant it."

I looked at him with little surprise. "You sound like you're afraid of him."

"Everyone should be." He smirked, there was something strange in his tone but before I could ask, he stepped closer. "Do you know why Ethan chose you?"

My stomach tightened. "I've asked him."

"And?"

"He refused to answer." I answered quietly.

Damien gave a quiet laugh. "Of course he did." He shoved one hand in his pocket.

"Then you know?" I questioned him.

He studied my face as if contemplating the answer. "Maybe."

"Then tell me."

He opened his mouth to speak but a voice interrupted us. The only voice capable of making my hairs stand on end.

"Damien."

It was Ethan, I turned to look at him. He stood several feet away, and he wore a dark expression on his face.

Damien smiled. "Brother." He brought out the hand from his pocket trying to act casual.

"What are you doing?" Ethan asked.

"Talking." Damien sniffed, stealing a glance at me.

"Go inside." Ethan ordered.

Damien chuckled. "You really enjoy giving orders."

Ethan's gaze sharpened. "Leave." His voice carried an edge.

For several seconds, neither man moved the Damien stepped around me and whispered. "See you later, Mrs. Blackwood."

As he passed Ethan, he whispered something I couldn't hear and Ethan's countenance changed into something cold.

"What did he say?" Ethan asked as soon as Damien left.

"Nothing." I replied.

He stepped closer. "Stay away from Damien." He whispered then he walked past me.

"You don't get to control every person I speak to!" I shouted back at him.

He looked over his shoulder. "Try me." Then he walked away.

I watched him disappear into the house, my hands baller into fists. I had never met a man who could be so controlling, arrogant and cold all at once.

And somehow, I was supposed to spend an entire year married to him.

That evening, I found him in his study, he was always there. I didn't knock, I just moved in and nested by the wall.

He looked up from his desk. "Who gave you permission to enter?" He asked.

"I don't need permission to knock." I reminded him, Incase he had forgotten.

"Then knock." He said.

I rolled my eyes dismissively. "I need answers."

"You won't get them." He turned back to his book.

"Why?" I pressed on.

"Because I said no." I noticed the tense in his shoulders.

I walked farther into the room. "You expect me to live here for a year without knowing anything about you?" I scoffed.

"Yes." He replied bluntly.

"What happened to your mother?" I asked.

His expression changed. "Don't." His voice carried a threat.

"Why?" I didn't stop, I had to know.

"I told you not to ask about her." I could hear him struggling not to raise his voice.

"She's the woman in the photograph." I smirked.

His eyes hardened. "Leave." His voice sounded heavy.

"No." I said with defiance and the fool's courage I had.

He stood. "I won't repeat myself." His voice raised a little and I could see from the way his jaw worked that he was trying to restrain himself.

"And I won't stop asking." I continued

He walked toward me until we were standing inches apart. "You think being my wife gives you access to my life."

"It should." I said defiantly.

"It doesn't." He sneered.

"Then what am I?" I kept asking.

His gaze remained fixed on mine. "A temporary arrangement."

The words cut deeper than I expected, I managed a little gasp. "You're cruel."

"I know."

"Do you enjoy hurting people?" My voice cracked slightly and I tried so hard to hide it. "You certainly make it look easy."

His expression didn't change. "Get out." He ordered again.

I stared at him for a minute then I turned. My hand had barely touched the doorknob when he spoke again.

"And Aria? Stay out of the west wing."

“Or what?” I glared at him.

His eyes were cold enough to freeze the room. "Or you'll learn exactly why everyone in this house follows my rules." He replied smoothly.

I slammed the door behind me, my heart pounding violently within my chest. I hated him, I hated his voice and I hated his rules.

I hated the way he looked at me like I was an inconvenience he'd been forced to tolerate but most of all, I hated the fact that every time he told me there was something I wasn't allowed to know...

I wanted to know more about it, and as I walked away from his study, I made myself a promise.

If Ethan Blackwood wanted a wife who obeyed him without question, he had married the wrong woman. Because I was going to find out what he was hiding. Even if it destroyed me.