THE BLACKWOOD LEGACY

Chapter 2:A Deal with the Devil

When I left Blackwood Tower, the chilly morning air hit me like a kick to the face. I was still having trouble understanding what I had just discussed with Damian. With every step I took, the weight of the marriage contract dragged me down like a stone in my gut. As I walked down the street, my heart was pounding, and I was trying to concentrate on the fact that I had to make a choice. Quick.

I looked at my phone in the hopes of a miracle—a call from someone who could give me a way out, or a message from my father. However, nothing was present. Following his stroke last year, my father had been going into a downward spiral, and I was left to bear the full burden of the family business. I was supposed to save the once-thriving business from bankruptcy since it was drowning in debt. I felt like I was balancing on a tightrope every day, trying to avoid becoming bankrupt.

In an attempt to escape the cold, I stuffed my phone back into my bag and pushed through the doors of a nearby café. Nothing could ease the anguish in my chest, even if the warmth inside hit me like a wave. More out of habit than anything else, I sat at a corner table and ordered a coffee. My mind was racing with ideas that would not stop.

Although my rational side understood it was not an option, there was a part of me that wanted to yell, toss the contract in Damian's face, and turn away. I could never expect to have the weight that the Blackwood name had. Damian had been very clear: without him, my family would not exist. We needed his money and his influence. We could have been made or broken by him.

I knew that I couldn't say no, as much as I hated to acknowledge it.

When the café door opened, I looked up to see Hannah, my best friend, running towards me. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and her long brown hair was pulled back in an untidy ponytail. With her brows knitted in worry, she took a seat across from me.

"Amelia," she murmured, "what's happening? You appear to have seen a ghost.

My mind continued to race as I gazed at her, and then it all came rushing out in a torrent of words. Daniel Blackwood desires for me to wed him. for a deal. He promises to take care of everything, including paying off our bills, but in return, I'm meant to be his wife. It's only a commercial agreement, not for love.

Hannah's jaw fell agape. "What? Are you serious? This is crazy! You can't just—

I interjected, my voice just above a whisper, "Hannah, I don't have a choice." "I cannot allow my family to suffer a complete loss. We're done if I don't do this. My father will lose everything, and the firm will fail. I have no other option.

As soon as I said those words, I was overcome with shame. Was this something I was thinking about? For the sake of my family, was I truly going to sell my soul to the devil?

Hannah put a palm over mine as her features softened. "Amelia, I know it's difficult, but this doesn't feel right. You can't simply get married to him. You're not even acquainted with him.

"I understand," I muttered. However, what should I do? I've tried everything. Negotiations and loans don't work. There is no other choice. I'm doing this for them, not for me.

My eyes begged for an explanation as I gazed at her. However, I could feel the resentment building in my throat even as I was speaking. I didn't want to make this choice, but it was the only one that would support my family. I have to follow through.

The decision weighed like a thousand pounds on me, and I was in a stupor for the remainder of the day. When I eventually returned to my flat, it was getting close to nightfall. I heard my father's frail voice calling out from the living room as soon as I walked through the door.

"Amelia? Is that you?

In an attempt to shake the gloom from my thoughts, I forced a smile as I entered. "Yes, it's me, Dad."

Once robust and self-assured, my father had suddenly become a shell of his former self. He was holding a mug of tea with shaky hands and a pale face. I detested seeing him in this state. He had served as our family's pillar, but now he was just a burden.

I tried to ignore the guilt that was eating at me as I sat down next to him. "Dad, how was your day?"

With a sigh, he looked at the pile of cash on the coffee table with weary eyes. "You are aware of how it is. The same old, same old. Amelia, the business is having problems. I'm not sure how long I can continue like this.

My fists clenched as I forced myself not to cry in front of him. "Dad, I'm doing everything I can. I promise.

With a feeble grip, he reached across and touched my hand. "I am aware that you are. Amelia, you have my admiration. However, I'm not sure how long we can continue like this. I'm not sure if we can make it through.

I pushed back tears that hurt my eyes. I couldn't cry just now. Not when it was all up to me. Not when I had already decided what I wanted to do.

I didn't get much sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, the only thing I saw was the icy, cunning face of Damian Blackwood. The marriage contract was pushing down on my chest with more weight than before. My skin crawled at the idea of living my entire life with a man who didn't value me and only wanted me as a pawn in his scheme.

However, what option did I have?

I made up my mind by dawn. After picking up the phone, I called Damian. Before he responded, his voice as calm and collected as ever, it rang twice.

"Amelia," he said in a formal tone. "Have you decided on anything?"

With my heart thumping in my chest, I inhaled deeply. "Yes," I said, the word weighing heavily on my lips. "I'll carry it out. I'll wed you. for the agreement.

He spoke again, this time with a tinge of something sinister in his voice, after a moment of silence on the other end of the queue.

"Good," he murmured in a low, menacing voice. "But keep in mind, Amelia—there's no going back once you sign this contract."

A shiver went down my back. "I get it."

But a feeling of dread descended upon me as I hung up the phone. Was this a sacrifice I truly wanted to make? Could I truly accept the repercussions of what I had done?

There was a knock on the door before I could continue to consider it. A beat skipped in my chest.

When I opened it, I saw a man carrying a big envelope in a dapper suit. "Miss Collins?" he said in a firm tone.

"Yes?"

As I accepted the packet he gave me, I saw the seal bearing the well-known Blackwood logo. I tore it apart and took out the papers with trembling hands.

It was the formal marriage contract.

However, I noticed something as I read the terms. Something that chilled my blood.

One of the provisions stated: *Severe penalties shall be enforced if the terms are not followed.*

Panic struck and I froze, my words hazy. What was meant by this? What was it I had just committed to?

The door slammed behind me before I had time to collect my thoughts.

With increasing horror, I realized that I might have just made the most significant error of my life.