Bound By His Revenge

WEDDING IS MOVED

Lina stared at Damien.



She searched his face, hoping he would explain himself.



"What do you mean the wedding has been moved?"



Damien stood quietly at the doorway.



His face showed no emotion.



"It's no longer in three days."



Lina's heart skipped a beat.



"Then... when?"



He looked into her eyes.



"Tomorrow."



The room suddenly felt smaller.



"Tomorrow?" she whispered.



"Yes."



"But... why?"



For a few seconds, Damien said nothing.



The silence made Lina even more nervous.



"I deserve an answer."



"You'll get one."



"When?"



"When the time is right."



Lina frowned.



"That's not fair."



"No."



"It isn't."



His calm reply surprised her.



He slowly walked into the room.



"I know this isn't what you expected."



"Then tell me what's happening."



"I can't."



"Can't... or won't?"



Their eyes met.



For the first time, Lina noticed something different.



Behind Damien's cold expression...



There was worry.



It lasted only a second.



Then it disappeared.



He turned away.



"Be ready by nine tomorrow morning."



Without another word, he walked toward the door.



"Damien."



He stopped.



Lina took a deep breath.



"I may have signed that contract..."



"...but I'm still a human being."



His hand rested on the doorknob.



"I know."



Then he left.



The door closed softly.



Lina stood alone in the quiet room.



Nothing made sense anymore.



Yesterday she had been looking for money to save her mother.



Today she was living inside a billionaire's mansion.



Tomorrow...



She would become his wife.



She slowly sat on the edge of the bed.



Mom...



I wish you were here.



A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.



"Come in."



Sarah entered carrying a tray of food.



"I thought you might be hungry."



Lina forced a smile.



"I'm not."



"You should still eat."



Sarah placed the tray on the table.



After a moment of silence, Lina spoke.



"Do you trust him?"



Sarah looked surprised.



"Mr. Blackwood?"



Lina nodded.



"He hides everything."



Sarah smiled faintly.



"Mr. Blackwood isn't a bad man."



"Then why does he act like one?"



Sarah didn't answer immediately.



Instead, she looked out toward the dark garden.



"Sometimes..."



"The people who have been hurt the most..."



"...find it hardest to show kindness."



Lina remained silent.



She wanted to ask another question.



But Sarah's expression told her the conversation was over.



"I'll see you in the morning."



After Sarah left, Lina walked onto the balcony.



The night air was cool.



The gardens below were peaceful.



For the first time all day...



She felt able to breathe.



Suddenly...



She noticed movement.



Someone was standing near the fountain.



A tall man wearing a black coat.



His face couldn't be seen.



He wasn't moving.



He was simply staring at the mansion.



Lina rubbed her eyes.



When she looked again...



He was gone.



A chill ran down her spine.



"Maybe I'm imagining things."



She returned inside and locked the balcony door.





---



Across the mansion...



Damien stood alone in his study.



His phone rang.



He answered immediately.



"Report."



A man's voice came through the speaker.



"We searched again."



"And?"



"There was nothing."



Damien's jaw tightened.



"Keep looking."



"We're running out of time."



"I know."



He ended the call.



Slowly, he opened a drawer.



Inside was an old newspaper.



The headline read:



BLACKWOOD FAMILY TRAGEDY SHOCKS THE CITY



Damien stared at it.



His eyes slowly moved to a photograph.



Two families.



Standing together.



Smiling.



One of the men was his father.



The other...



Lina's father.



Damien closed the newspaper.



"I need the truth."



His voice was barely above a whisper.



"Before it's too late."





---



The next morning...



The mansion was already busy before sunrise.



Maids hurried through the hallways.



Fresh flowers were delivered.



Chefs prepared breakfast.



Everyone seemed excited.



Everyone except Lina.



She barely touched her food.



At exactly eight o'clock...



Sarah entered the dining room.



"Miss Brooks."



"Yes?"



"Mr. Blackwood is waiting for you."



Lina followed her outside.



A black limousine was waiting.



Damien was already inside.



Neither of them spoke during the journey.



The silence felt heavier than words.



After almost thirty minutes...



The car stopped.



Lina looked through the window.



She frowned.



"This isn't a church."



"No," Damien replied.



"It's my grandfather's estate."



Before Lina could ask another question...



The large wooden doors opened.



An elderly man walked out.



He held a walking stick, but his eyes were sharp.



The moment he saw Lina...



He froze.



His walking stick slipped from his hand and hit the ground.



He stared at her as though he had seen a ghost.



Then, in a trembling voice, he whispered,



"...Impossible."



Damien immediately stepped forward.



"Grandfather?"



The old man didn't answer.



His eyes never left Lina.



Finally, he spoke again.



"She..."



"...looks exactly like her mother."