When love becomes war

Blackwood stood at the altar with his hands clenched into fists. The room was full. Cameras flashed. Soft music played. But he heard nothing; his face carried no emotion. His phone vibrated in his palm. UNKNOWN CONTACT I warned you. Open the file. Now. Jaxon’s jaw tightened. He stepped slightly away from the priest , He stared at the phone in his hands, hesitated a bit then he opened the message. A folder appeared. Inside were documents. Old contracts. Bank transfers. Emails. All signed by Victor Sterling. The name hit him like a punch to the chest, his eyes widened. Victor Sterling—the man who destroyed his family’s company. The man whose lies led to his mother’s death, destroyed his childhood. Jaxon’s breath slowed, he broke out in cold sweat. His eyes lifted. Ana Sterling stood a few steps away from him in a white gown and gloves. She was smiling, nervous, beautiful. Her hands trembled as she held her bouquet, she looked excited. She had no idea. The priest cleared his throat. “Mr. Blackwood?” Jaxon didn’t answer. Ana turned slightly. “Jaxon ?” she whispered. “Is everything okay?” He looked at her. For a moment, all he could see was the woman he loved. The woman who believed in him. The woman who trusted him completely. The woman who stood by him in every obstacle. Then he saw the name again. Sterling. His chest burned, and tears welled up in his eyes. His mother’s face flashed in his mind. Pale. Tired. Broken. Afraid. Dead. The priest shifted uncomfortably. Guests began to whisper. Jaxon closed the file and slipped the phone into his pocket, and adjusted his expression. Slowly, he stepped back into place. “Yes,” he said calmly. “Everything is fine.” Ana exhaled in relief. She smiled wider and whispered You scared me there babe. The priest continued. “We are gathered here today—” Jaxon wasn’t listening. A single thought repeated in his mind. She is his daughter, the daughter of the man who ruined my childhood and took my mother away from me. The vows began. Ana spoke first. “I, Ana Sterling, take you, Jaxon Blackwood, to be my husband,” she said softly. “To love you, to stand by you, and to trust you, for as long as we both shall live.” Her voice shook with emotion. Jaxon’s chest tightened. Trust. The word cut deep. The priest turned to him. “Mr. Blackwood?” The room fell silent. Every eye was on him. Jaxon looked straight ahead. His face was calm. Controlled. “I, Jaxon Blackwood,” he said evenly, “take you, Ana Sterling, to be my wife.” Ana’s eyes shone, and a bright smile curved on her lips. “To protect you,” he continued, “to stand with you, and to remain faithful.” The words tasted bitter. Faithful. He swallowed. “For as long as we both shall live.” The priest smiled. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Applause broke out. Ana laughed softly through happy tears. Jaxon did not smile. When he leaned in to kiss her, his lips brushed hers lightly. Polite. Cold. Void of every emotion. She noticed. Her smile faltered for half a second. No one else did. As they walked back down the aisle, Ana squeezed his hand. “You scared me,” she whispered. “I thought something was wrong.” Jaxon leaned closer, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “Something is wrong,” he said. Her steps slowed. “What do you mean?” He stopped walking. Music faded. People murmured. Jaxon turned to face her fully. “Your father,” he said quietly. “We need to talk about your father.” Ana frowned. “My dad? Why?” Jaxon’s eyes hardened. “Because,” he said, his voice steady but sharp, “this marriage didn’t begin today.” Her heart skipped. “Jaxon, you’re not making sense.” He leaned in, his mouth close to her ear. “It began the day he destroyed my family, it began the day he ruined my childhood. Ana’s blood ran cold. She pulled back, searching his face, confusion written all over her face. “What are you talking about?” But Jaxon was already stepping away, his expression unreadable. Cameras flashed again. Guests clapped awkwardly. To the world, they were a perfect couple. To Jaxon Blackwood, this was no longer a wedding. It was a declaration of war. And Ana Sterling had just married straight into it.