his bride, my obsession

Author's pov The Blackwood mansion was as silent as it was grand-every corner spotless, every hallway echoing the same emptiness that had lived there for three years. Elena Blackwood sat by the tall window of her bedroom, a porcelain cup of untouched tea resting between her hands. Outside, rain traced lazy lines down the glass, blurring the garden into watercolor shades of gray. It had been raining since dawn. It always seemed to rain when she remembered who she'd become-Mrs. Aaron Blackwood, a title that carried wealth, prestige... and nothing else. She turned her gaze toward the large bed behind her. It was made perfectly, as it always was. Her husband never slept beside her anymore. He preferred the study, claiming he worked late, but Elena knew better. She stopped asking long ago. The quietness was broken by a soft knock on the door. "Come in," she said softly. A maid entered, head bowed. "Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood. Mr. Blackwood asked if you'll be joining him for breakfast." Elena forced a small smile. "Of course. Tell him I'll be down in a moment." The maid hesitated before leaving. Everyone in the mansion seemed to hesitate around her-careful, sympathetic, as if she were a ghost still learning how to exist. Elena turned toward the mirror, fixing a loose strand of hair that had slipped from her bun. The reflection staring back looked nothing like the girl she used to be-before the arranged marriage, before the empty vows. She looked elegant, yes, but tired in a way makeup could never hide. She whispered to her reflection, "You can do this, Elena. Just another morning." Downstairs, the dining room was all marble and silence. Aaron sat at the head of the table, reading the morning paper. His crisp white shirt matched the chill of his expression. He didn't look up when she entered. "You're late," he said, flipping a page. "I'm sorry," she murmured, taking her seat at the other end of the long table. "You're always sorry," he replied flatly. She tried to smile, though her hands trembled slightly as she reached for her cup. "The rain kept me-" "I didn't ask for excuses." His voice was sharp enough to slice through the stillness. "Just be on time. You represent this family now, not the Carters." The mention of her maiden name stung. She lowered her gaze. "Yes, Aaron." For a few minutes, the only sound was the clinking of cutlery. He didn't even glance at her, absorbed in his phone now. Three years of marriage, and she still couldn't read his eyes. after some time... Elena stood by the window, her fingers twisting the edge of her shawl as the sound of Aaron's footsteps echoed across the marble floor. Her heart beat faster - not out of love anymore, but fear of what his silence might turn into today. He entered the room, perfectly dressed in a black suit, his face as unreadable as ever. Elena: softly "You're leaving early again?" Aaron: without glancing at her, fixing his cufflinks "Yes. I have a meeting." Elena: her lips pressed together, voice low "You always do." He paused for a second, jaw tightening. Aaron: "That's what running a company means, Elena. You wouldn't understand." Her eyes flickered up to his face, a trace of pain in them. Elena: "No... you never gave me a chance to." His head snapped toward her, eyes sharp. Aaron: "What's that supposed to mean?" Elena: takes a shaky breath "It means I've been living in this house for years, and I still don't know the man I married." Aaron: cold laugh "Maybe you should've thought of that before agreeing to this marriage." Elena: hurt flashes across her face "You think I had a choice?" Aaron: steps closer, voice low but cutting "Neither of us did. Our families did this, remember? Don't act like you're the only victim here." Her eyes glistened, but she held herself still. Elena: "At least you had freedom after it. I only got silence." Aaron: smirks bitterly "Silence suits you. You don't talk much anyway." Her breath hitched. She looked away, blinking rapidly as her voice trembled. Elena: "Because every time I try, you make me feel like I shouldn't." That made him pause - just for a heartbeat - before his tone turned hard again. Aaron: "What do you expect me to do? Pretend to love you? Lie to both of us?" Her fingers tightened around her shawl until her knuckles went white. Elena: "I never asked for your love, Aaron... just a little kindness." Aaron: coldly "Kindness creates expectations. Expectations lead to disappointment." Her tears finally slipped down her cheeks, her voice barely audible. Elena: "Then you've already succeeded. I stopped expecting anything a long time ago." For a moment, his gaze softened - regret flickered in his eyes - but he crushed it before it could show. Aaron: "Good. Keep it that way." She looked up at him then, her voice a fragile whisper. Elena: "You weren't always this cruel." Aaron: after a pause, his tone quieter but still sharp "And you weren't always this naïve." Elena: sad smile trembling on her lips "Maybe I still am... hoping one day you'll look at me like I matter." Aaron: gritting his teeth, turning away "Don't. Don't start this emotional nonsense. You're not a victim here." Elena: "No, I'm not." She wipes her tears with trembling fingers. "Just your wife." That broke something small inside him - but instead of facing it, he grabbed his coat. Aaron: flatly "Stop trying to fix what was never meant to work." Elena: quietly, voice breaking "I wasn't trying to fix it. I was trying to survive it." He stopped at the door, his back to her. His shoulders tensed for a moment - as if something in her voice hit him - but then he spoke, colder than before. Aaron: "Then survive quietly." The door closed behind him with a dull thud. Elena stood frozen for a long moment, the echo of his words ringing in her ears. Then her knees gave out, and she sank to the floor, pressing her hand against her chest as if that could stop the ache spreading inside. He never looked back. Not once.