Chapter 2: The Wedding Deal
1114 Words
Elena barely slept that night.
The contract sat on the table beside her bed, its pages staring back at her beneath the dim light of the lamp.
Marriage to Adrian Blackwood. One year.
It sounded insane.
It was insane.
Yet the money had already begun changing things.
That evening, the bank had called.
The foreclosure process had been suspended.
Her mother's medical bills had been cleared.
And the family home was safe.
All because of one signature.
Elena ran her fingers over the contract.
She should have felt relieved.
Instead, she felt trapped.
Her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Miss Carter?"
It was a man's voice.
"Yes."
"This is Mr. Blackwood's legal representative. The wedding has been arranged for tomorrow afternoon."
Elena sat upright.
"Tomorrow?"
"Mr. Blackwood prefers to avoid unnecessary publicity."
"You mean there won't even be a normal engagement?"
"No."
She rubbed her forehead.
"This is happening too fast."
"Mr. Blackwood doesn't believe in wasting time."
Of course he didn't.
Everything about Adrian Blackwood seemed calculated.
"Where is the wedding?"
"You'll receive the details in the morning."
The call ended.
Elena stared at her phone.
Tomorrow.
She was getting married tomorrow.
To a man she barely knew.
The next morning, a black limousine arrived outside her mother's house.
Elena stepped outside wearing a simple cream dress.
Her mother looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
Elena forced a smile.
"Yes."
"You don't have to do this."
"I do."
Her mother reached for her hand.
"Elena, money isn't everything."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Elena looked away.
Because the truth was simple.
She was afraid.
Afraid of losing the house.
Afraid of losing her family.
And perhaps most frightening of all, afraid of what Adrian Blackwood expected from her.
"I'll be fine, Mom."
She hugged her tightly before getting into the car.
The wedding venue was nothing like she expected.
There were no crowds.
No reporters.
No friends.
Only a small private chapel overlooking the city.
Adrian was already there.
He wore a black suit and stood with his hands behind his back.
When Elena entered, his eyes moved over her.
For a moment, he said nothing.
"You look beautiful."
Elena blinked.
It was the first compliment she had heard from him.
"Thank you."
His expression immediately returned to its usual coldness.
"Remember the agreement."
"I haven't forgotten."
"Good."
They walked toward the altar.
The ceremony was short.
Too short.
When the priest asked whether Elena accepted Adrian as her husband, her heart pounded.
She looked at him.
He was watching her.
Waiting.
"I do."
The words felt strange leaving her lips.
Then it was his turn.
"I do."
The priest smiled.
"You may kiss the bride."
Elena's eyes widened.
Adrian stepped closer.
For the first time, she noticed how close they actually were.
His hand settled gently at her waist.
She held her breath.
His face moved toward hers.
Then he stopped.
Their lips were only inches apart.
"Relax," he whispered.
"I'm relaxed."
"You look terrified."
"Maybe because I'm marrying a stranger."
His lips curved slightly.
"I'm not a stranger anymore."
Before she could answer, he kissed her.
It was brief.
Controlled.
Yet Elena felt something she didn't want to feel.
A spark.
She immediately stepped away.
Adrian's expression remained unreadable.
The ceremony ended.
There was no celebration.
No wedding reception.
Just another limousine waiting outside.
As they drove toward Adrian's mansion, Elena stared through the window.
"So this is where I live now?"
"For one year."
She looked at him.
"You're very good at reminding me."
"It's important."
"Why?"
"Because people forget the rules when emotions become involved."
Elena frowned.
"You sound like you've experienced that before."
Adrian looked out the window.
"Perhaps."
The mansion appeared ahead.
It was enormous.
Stone walls.
Tall windows.
Perfect gardens.
The gates opened slowly.
Elena stepped inside and immediately felt like an outsider.
A housekeeper approached.
"Welcome, Mrs. Blackwood."
The title made Elena uncomfortable.
"Thank you."
Adrian walked ahead.
She followed.
"Your room is upstairs."
"Our room?"
"No."
Elena stopped.
Adrian looked back.
"You'll have your own bedroom."
She almost smiled.
"Good."
He nodded.
"There are a few things you should know."
"I'm listening."
"My office is off-limits."
"Fine."
"My personal documents are off-limits."
"Fine."
"My family may ask questions."
"I'll handle them."
"And if anyone asks about our relationship?"
Elena hesitated.
"We're happy."
"Exactly."
She crossed her arms.
"And what if your family doesn't like me?"
"They don't have to."
Something about his answer made her curious.
"Does your family know about the contract?"
"No."
Elena's eyes widened.
"They think this is a real marriage?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian stared at her.
"Because that's the point."
Before she could ask anything else, his phone rang.
He answered.
"Speak."
His expression changed.
The coldness remained, but something darker appeared beneath it.
"Are you certain?"
He listened.
"Don't let him leave."
He ended the call.
Elena watched him.
"Is something wrong?"
Adrian looked at her.
"No."
It was obviously a lie.
He walked away.
Elena remained standing in the enormous hallway.
She had just married the most powerful man in the city.
She had signed a contract.
She had moved into his mansion.
And already, she could feel something was terribly wrong.
That night, Elena couldn't sleep.
She left her bedroom to get some water.
As she passed Adrian's study, she heard voices.
She stopped.
The door was slightly open.
"...she doesn't know anything," Adrian said.
Elena froze.
Another man replied, "Are you sure?"
"She signed the contract."
"And when she finds out who her father really was?"
Silence.
Elena's heart stopped.
Her father?
She moved closer.
Adrian's voice dropped.
"She must never know."
Elena covered her mouth.
What did Adrian know about her father?
And why had he chosen her?
She quietly stepped away from the door.
But before she could reach the stairs, Adrian appeared behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
Elena turned around.
His eyes were cold.
"I... I couldn't sleep."
"You were listening."
It wasn't a question.
Elena swallowed.
"No."
Adrian walked closer.
"Don't lie to me."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Then tell me the truth."
For the first time, Adrian looked genuinely angry.
"There are some things about your family that you are better off not knowing."
Elena's heart pounded.
"Like what?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped past her.
"Go back to your room, Elena."
She watched him disappear down the hallway.
For the first time since signing the contract, Elena understood something.
The marriage wasn't simply about Adrian's protection.
He had chosen her because of her past.
And whatever secret connected him to her family...
was dangerous enough for him to hide from his own wife.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD