Bound By His Revenge

BRIDE'S NEW HOME



Lina couldn't stop thinking about Vanessa's words.



"He doesn't love anyone... He only knows how to use people."



The words echoed in her mind like a song she couldn't forget.



She looked at Sarah.



"Please... tell me the truth."



Sarah let out a quiet sigh.



"Miss Carter and Mr. Blackwood were engaged two years ago."



Lina's heart tightened.



"What happened between them?"



Sarah lowered her eyes.



"I'm sorry, Miss Brooks. That's not my story to tell."



Lina nodded.



She didn't ask another question.



Instead, she lowered her head and fell into deep thought.



Mom...



I hope I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life.



I'm doing this to save you.



Please... don't let my sacrifice be for nothing.



She didn't even notice when Sarah gently touched her shoulder.



"The car is ready."



Lina followed her without saying a word.



The black limousine was waiting outside the shopping mall.



She got in and sat quietly beside the window.



The city moved around her.



People laughed on the streets.



Children ran after one another.



Couples walked hand in hand.



It was a normal day for everyone else.



But for Lina...



Her whole life had changed.



She stared through the window, but she wasn't really looking at anything.



Her mind was filled with questions.



Who is Damien Blackwood?



Why does he hate my father so much?



Can a marriage built on revenge ever become something real?



She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize the journey had ended.



"Miss Brooks..."



Sarah's gentle voice brought her back.



Lina blinked.



She looked outside.



A massive black iron gate stood before the limousine.



Beyond it was the largest house she had ever seen.



The mansion looked more like a palace.



Beautiful gardens surrounded it.



A sparkling fountain stood in the middle of the driveway.



Security guards opened the gate as the limousine slowly entered.



Lina stared in silence.



Is this where I'll live for the next year?



The car finally stopped.



Sarah smiled softly.



"Welcome to Blackwood Mansion."



Lina stepped out slowly.



Everything around her looked expensive.



Everything looked perfect.



Yet she felt completely out of place.



As they walked inside, several maids bowed politely.



"Welcome, Miss Brooks."



Lina smiled awkwardly.



"You don't have to bow to me."



One of the older maids smiled kindly.



"Mr. Blackwood instructed everyone to treat you with respect."



Sarah led Lina upstairs.



She stopped in front of a large wooden door.



"This will be your room."



The door opened.



Lina gasped.



The bedroom was bigger than the apartment she had shared with her mother.



There was a king-sized bed covered in white sheets.



A beautiful chandelier hung from the ceiling.



Fresh flowers filled the room with a sweet smell.



A walk-in closet stretched across one side of the room.



Beyond the glass doors was a balcony overlooking the city.



"It's beautiful," Lina whispered.



Sarah smiled.



"If you need anything, just call one of the maids."



Just then, there was a knock on the door.



A maid entered carrying a large white box.



"This is from Mr. Blackwood."



Lina carefully opened it.



Inside was the most beautiful wedding dress she had ever seen.



White lace.



Tiny crystals.



A long flowing veil.



A small card rested on top.



Be ready tomorrow.



—Damien.



Lina smiled sadly.



"That's all?"



Sarah laughed.



"That's how he is."



"No 'please.'"



"No 'I hope you like it.'"



"Just three words."



Sarah nodded.



"Mr. Blackwood isn't good at expressing his feelings."



At that same moment...



Damien stood alone inside his office.



He looked through the large window toward the city.



His face remained cold.



His hands rested calmly in his pockets.



A knock came at the door.



"Come in."



Sarah walked inside.



"Miss Brooks has settled into her room."



Damien simply nodded.



"She liked the dress."



He didn't reply.



Sarah hesitated.



"Sir... are you sure about this marriage?"



Silence filled the room.



After a long moment, Damien spoke.



"This marriage is necessary."



"For revenge?"



Damien slowly closed his eyes.



A flash of pain crossed his face.



It disappeared almost immediately.



"So much more than revenge."



Sarah wanted to ask another question.



But she knew better.



She quietly left the office.



Damien reached into his desk drawer.



He pulled out an old photograph.



In it were two smiling men standing side by side.



One of them was his father.



The other...



Was Lina's father.



Damien stared at the picture for a long time.



Then he whispered,



"You left me with too many questions."



He placed the photograph back into the drawer.



Neither Lina nor Sarah knew someone else was watching everything.



Miles away...



Inside a dark office...



A man sat in front of several security monitors.



One screen showed Damien.



Another showed Lina entering her room.



The man smiled.



"So..."



"They're finally living under the same roof."



He picked up his phone.



"Keep watching them."



"We're getting closer."



He ended the call.



His face remained hidden in the darkness.



The only thing visible...



Was the cruel smile on his lips.



---



Lina stood on the balcony later that night.



The cool breeze brushed against her face.



She looked up at the stars.



"Mom..."



"I'll protect you."



"No matter what happens."



Just then...



A loud knock echoed through her bedroom door.



She turned around.



Before she could answer...



The door slowly opened.



And Damien walked in.



His expression was unreadable.



Then he said five words that made Lina's heart stop.



"The wedding has been moved."