THE ENEMY WITHIN
731 Words
The Blackwood Mansion was in complete
chaos.Outside the towering iron gates,
dozens of reporters pushed against the
security barriers, their cameras flashing
nonstop.
“Mr. Blackwood!”
Who is the woman that spent the night in
the mansion?.
Is she the mother of the Blackwood heir?”
“Are wedding bells finally ringing?”
The guards struggled to keep the media
under control as Damien stood by the
floor-to-ceiling window, his face colder
than ice.
“Clear them out,” he ordered.His head of
security nodded immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
Within minutes, dozens of Blackwood
security vehicles surrounded the entrance,
forcing the reporters farther from the
estate. Still, the cameras continued
flashing.Someone had tipped them
off.Someone who knew exactly what
would happen.Damien turned to his
assistant.I want the name of everyone who
knew Amelia was coming here.It’ll be on
your desk within the hour, sir.
“No.”
Damien’s voice was dangerously quiet.
“I want it in thirty minutes.”
“Understood.”
Amelia stood in the hallway, her fingers
nervously twisting together.She had never
imagined that simply stepping into
someone’s home could cause such an
uproar.Mrs. Hughes approached with a
reassuring smile.
Please don’t let this trouble you, Miss
Carter.
Does this happen often?
The older woman sighed.
“Only when someone dares to disturb the
peace of the Blackwood family.”Before
Amelia could reply, Sophia appeared at the
top of the staircase.Well, look who’s
already enjoying the attention.Amelia
remained silent.
Sophia slowly descended the stairs, her
heels clicking against the polished marble
floor.The reporters aren’t here because of
Damien.They’re here because of you.
“I didn’t ask for this.”
“No,” Sophia replied with a mocking smile.
“But you certainly brought it with you.”
Before Amelia could answer, Damien
walked into the hall.
“Enough.”
Sophia folded her arms.
“You keep defending her.”
“I keep warning you.”
Their eyes locked in a silent battle before
Sophia scoffed and walked away.As she
disappeared down the corridor, Amelia
released a quiet sigh.
“I’m sorry.”
Damien looked at her.
“You apologize too much.”
“I feel like I’m causing problems
everywhere I go.”
He stepped closer, his voice unexpectedly
gentle.The problem isn’t you.It’s the people
who think they can use you.”
His words caught her off guard.
For the first time, Amelia felt as though
someone was standing beside her instead
of judging her.Later that afternoon,
Damien’s grandmother summoned Amelia
to the private garden.The elderly woman
was seated beneath a white gazebo, calmly
pouring tea.
“You wished to see me, ma’am?”
“Sit.”
Amelia obeyed.
For a long moment, neither of them
spoke.
Finally, the older woman broke the
silence.
“Do you love Damien?”
Amelia nearly dropped her teacup.
“What?”
“It’s a simple question.”
“No… of course not.”
“And does he love you?”
Amelia gave a small, nervous laugh.
“Our relationship is only a contract.”
The older woman studied her face
carefully.“I hope you remember that.”
Amelia frowned slightly.
“I do.”
“Good.”
She placed her teacup down.Because love
has destroyed this family once before.
Before Amelia could ask what she meant,
the older woman stood and walked away,
leaving those chilling words hanging in the
air.
That evening, Amelia decided to visit the
mansion’s chapel.It was quite
Peaceful.Exactly what she needed.She
knelt before the altar and closed her
eyes.Please…” she whispered.
Watch over Ethan.
I don’t care how difficult my life
becomes.Just let my brother recover.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.
Damien stopped at the entrance of the
chapel.For several moments, he simply
watched her pray.There was no pretense.
No ambition.
No greed.
Just a young woman carrying more
burdens than anyone should.
Something stirred inside him.
A feeling he hadn’t allowed himself to
experience in years.Before he could speak,
his phone vibrated.His assistant’s voice
came through urgently.
“Sir…”
“We found the person who leaked Miss
Carter’s arrival to the press.”
Damien’s expression turned deadly.
“Who is it?”
There was a brief silence.
Then the answer came.
Damien’s jaw clenched.
His eyes slowly lifted toward the mansion.
“It was… someone from your own family.”
- Writer
