The Billionaire Bride

Chapter 3 :- Blackwood Manor

The big doors opened, and I couldn't stop staring as I walked into the fancy room of Blackwood Manor. Everything looked super rich and fancy, like it was too much to take in all at once.

Expensive paintings hung on the walls, and there were fancy Greek and Roman sculptures on marble stands that must have been super expensive. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, making colorful lights sparkle everywhere. The floors were covered in really soft Persian rugs with cool designs, so thick it felt like walking on fur.

"If you'll follow me, Ms. Moretti, I'll take you on a brief tour of the main living quarters," the prim British butler spoke up from beside me.

I looked away from the amazing room and met his respectful look. He nodded and walked down one of the hallways.

I hurried to keep up, unable to stop stealing awestruck glances through the open doorways we passed. One room appeared to be a lavish home theater, with plush leather recliners facing an enormous 4K screen that seamlessly comprised one entire wall. The next seemed to be a private art gallery packed with instantly-recognizable masterpieces worth tens of millions alone.

The butler explained that the Blackwood family has owned this place for over 200 years. He said they update what's inside for each new generation, but the house itself has a really long history going back to colonial times.

We walked onto a big terrace with an amazing view of the Manor's perfectly kept gardens. There were neat rows of hedges and colorful flower beds arranged in cool designs. Fancy fountains and stone sculptures added to the beauty of the gardens.

"As Mr. Blackwood's bride, you will be afforded rights and privileges beyond your prior comprehensions," the butler continued his historical lecture in an obsequious tone. "I have no doubt you will rise to the standards and expectations demanded of a Blackwood."

His words gave me pause as I absorbed the sheer magnitude of what I was being ushered into. Less than a day ago, I was an overworked grad student barely keeping my head above water financially. Now, I was surrounded by literally hundreds of years of noble wealth and assumed to be a member of the aristocratic elite.

"I feel more like a pauper than a princess in all this," I murmured, unable to help the self-deprecating remark as I eyed their palatial surroundings.

The butler's thin lips quirked in an indulgent smirk. "I have complete faith Mr. Blackwood will thoroughly mold you into being a fitting consort. The manor and all its attendant luxuries will soon become second nature, I can assure y—"

"Who the hell are you?"

I heard a really bossy yell from behind me. I turned around and saw a gorgeous blonde woman walking angrily across the patio. She looked really fancy and snobby, with her expensive clothes and perfect makeup.

"W-well, I'm Sophia Moretti, I-" I began in a flustered stammer.

"Save your excuses, you simpering little gutter slut," the woman spat with vicious disdain. "I know exactly who and what you are..."

I backed away as Selena Wilkins - who else could this angry person be? - came closer with a really scary look. I could see the butler rushing off, probably to get security, but I was totally focused on Selena, The ex, who looked like she was about to explode with anger.

This was not at all how I envisioned being introduced to life at Blackwood Manor. And I had a sinking feeling the chaos was just beginning.

"You're Liam's latest hired w***e to entertain him while I was away, aren't you?" Selena hissed, her icy eyes boring into me with unadulterated loathing. "Just some disposable plaything to be discarded when he's had his fun?"

My mouth went dry as her hateful meaning sank in. This elegant viper could only be Selena Wilkins, Liam Blackwood's longtime girlfriend he'd broken things off with recently. The thought she saw me as the temporary wife made my heart lodge in my throat.

"I...I can explain, Ms. Wilkins," I said, my voice shaking, holding my hands up. "Liam and I...our deal is more complicated than—"

"Shut your filthy mouth, you worthless cow!"

The resounding c***k of her open palm slapped my cheek so hard, my head jerked to the side. It was so shocking, I could hardly believe Selena had hit me that hard.

"You're just a fancy p********e Liam's using for fun," she spat, her chest heaving with anger. She looked like she was about to cry, but there was fire in her eyes. "You'll regret ever going after my man, you worthless jerk!"

I held my sore cheek, looking back at the angry woman in shock and fear. But something inside me made me stand firm against her yelling. I knew I had to calm things down, or Selena might lose control completely.

The big study door flew open, and Liam Blackwood stormed out, looking really mad. Seeing me back away from his ex's attack made him even angrier.

"What in the BLAZES is going on here?" he roared, his cultured tone a barely restrained growl.

Selena turned really fast, her anger now aimed at Liam.

"You arrogant, deceitful pig!" she spat, beyond all reason now. "How dare you replace me with this two-bit street walker while I was away? I am SELENA WILKINS, Liam! Your future wife!"

Liam looked really proud and angry as Selena got upset.

"You'll watch your tone when addressing me, girl," he rumbled in a low, dangerous warning. "I've terminated our engagement for the final time. Now get out of my home before I have you forcibly removed like the unwanted trash you are."

Selena looked really scared when Liam gave her that scary warning. They stared at each other without saying anything. When Selena talked again, her voice was really quiet but filled with anger.

"This is all HER fault, right?" She looked at me angrily again. "Your little girlfriend has made you hate me. I promise, I won't stop until she's ruined."

"ENOUGH!” Liam yelled so loudly it felt like the whole house shook. "You'll not stand in my residence a moment longer disgracing yourself and acting like a crazy person.”

Two big guards in black suits appeared as soon as Liam yelled, grabbing Selena's arms really hard. She froze as they dragged her out of the room. Her last scream of anger and sadness before they took her away scared me a lot.

"I'll make you rue this day, Liam Blackwood! If it's the last thing I ever do, I'll destroy your precious little w***e!"

The big doors closed loudly, leaving just Liam and me in the big room. I couldn't stop staring at the doors, worried Selena might come back even more angry.

"Okay," Liam said, walking over to me. "Now that's over, maybe we should talk about moving the wedding to this evening?"

I blinked, struggling to switch mental gears. "This...evening? But I thought—"

"Plans change, Ms. Moretti," he said firmly, not letting me speak. "And security measures change too when someone like my ex causes trouble."

He looked at me so intensely I felt scared.

"Tonight, you'll legally be mine. We can't let Selena mess things up anymore. You get it, right?"

His words sounded reasonable, but I felt a strong sense of him telling me what to do. Any idea of having a real choice was disappearing quickly. Liam was making decisions based on what he wanted, not what I wanted. I was scared of both him and Selena.

I nodded a little, feeling trapped in this deal I made.