VOWS UNDER SHADOWS
757 Words
The morning sun rose over Blackwood Mansion, but peace was the last thing anyone felt.
Servants hurried through the halls carrying flowers, wedding decorations, and expensive suits. Every corner of the mansion buzzed with activity.
Yet inside Damien's bedroom...
Silence.
He stood by the window, staring at the city below.
The anonymous call from the previous night replayed in his mind.
"If you cancel tomorrow's wedding... Grace Brooks dies before sunrise."
He had spent the entire night trying to trace the number.
Nothing.
It was as if the caller had never existed.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Sarah entered carrying a black garment bag.
"Your tuxedo is ready, sir."
Damien nodded.
"How is Lina?"
Sarah smiled softly.
"She's nervous."
A faint smile appeared on Damien's face before disappearing again.
"I'll be downstairs soon."
Sarah hesitated.
"Sir..."
"Your grandfather sent this."
She handed him a small envelope.
Damien opened it immediately.
Inside was a single sentence.
Trust your heart... not your hatred.
Damien folded the note carefully.
"I understand."
---
Across the mansion...
Lina stood in front of a large mirror.
She hardly recognized herself.
The elegant white gown hugged her perfectly.
Her hair fell gently over her shoulders.
She looked like the bride she had dreamed of becoming one day.
But this wasn't the wedding she had imagined.
There was no love confession.
No proposal.
Only a contract.
Sarah entered the room carrying a small velvet box.
"You look beautiful."
Lina forced a smile.
"I don't feel beautiful."
"You look worried."
"I am."
Sarah walked over and gently adjusted Lina's veil.
"Do you regret saying yes?"
Lina remained silent for a long moment.
"No."
"I only wish things were different."
Sarah squeezed her hand.
"Sometimes life begins with the wrong reasons..."
"...and ends with the right ones."
Lina looked at her thoughtfully.
"What does that mean?"
Sarah simply smiled.
"You'll understand one day."
---
Guests filled the grand hall of Blackwood Mansion.
Business leaders...
Politicians...
Members of high society...
Everyone wanted to witness the wedding of Damien Blackwood.
Whispers spread through the room.
"Who is the bride?"
"She's just an ordinary girl."
"She must be incredibly lucky."
None of them knew the truth.
---
The music began.
Everyone stood.
Lina slowly walked down the aisle.
Every eye followed her.
Damien looked up.
For a moment...
The noise around him disappeared.
She was breathtaking.
Lina reached the altar.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke.
The officiant smiled.
"We are gathered here today..."
The ceremony began.
Every word echoed through the hall.
Damien barely listened.
His eyes searched the crowd.
He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching.
Then...
He noticed a man standing near the back of the hall.
A black suit.
Black gloves.
Dark sunglasses.
Before Damien could get a better look...
The man disappeared.
---
Outside the mansion...
A black luxury car rolled to a stop.
Inside sat a middle-aged man.
Only the lower half of his face could be seen.
He smiled as he watched the ceremony through a live video feed on his tablet.
"So..."
"They really went through with it."
The driver spoke quietly.
"Should we begin, Mr. Hale?"
Victor Hale took a slow sip of his coffee.
"Not yet."
"Let them finish."
"The pain is always greater..."
"...after hope is born."
---
Back inside...
The officiant smiled warmly.
"Mr. Damien Blackwood..."
"Do you take Lina Brooks to be your lawful wife?"
Damien looked at Lina.
She looked nervous.
Scared.
Yet she didn't look away.
"I do."
The guests applauded softly.
The officiant turned toward Lina.
"Miss Lina Brooks..."
"Do you take Damien Blackwood to be your lawful husband?"
Lina swallowed.
She remembered her mother's hospital bed.
She remembered Damien paying every medical bill.
She remembered the promise she had made.
She took a deep breath.
"I do."
More applause filled the hall.
The officiant smiled broadly.
"By the authority vested in me..."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"You may kiss the bride."
Damien stepped closer.
Lina's heart raced.
Their faces moved closer together.
Just inches apart...
The grand doors suddenly burst open.
BANG!
Everyone turned.
A young woman stood at the entrance.
Her wedding dress was stained with dirt.
Tears streamed down her face.
She pointed directly at Damien.
"Stop!"
The hall fell silent.
The woman took another step forward.
"You can't marry him..."
"...because he's already married to me."
The entire room gasped.
Lina froze.
Damien's face turned pale.
From his car outside, Victor Hale smiled.
"The game has finally begun."
End of Chapter 7.
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