Contract to love

Chapter Six:Behind the closed doors

The moment Ethan Blackwood's black Rolls-Royce pulled away from the courthouse, silence settled inside the luxurious vehicle.

Outside, reporters rushed after the convoy, camera flashes exploding like fireworks as journalists shouted questions that neither of them intended to answer.

"Mr. Blackwood!"

"Mrs Carter"

"Was this a love marriage or business marriage ?"

"Are the rumors true?"

The voices slowly faded as the convoy disappeared into Manhattan's busy streets.

Inside the car...

Only the soft hum of the engine remained.

Nora sat perfectly still, her eyes fixed on the city outside the tinted window. New York looked exactly the same as it had been that morning—crowded sidewalks, impatient drivers, towering skyscrapers—but somehow, everything felt different, her life felt more abnormal.

She slowly glanced down at her left hand.

A dazzling diamond ring sparkled beneath the afternoon sunlight.

It looked beautiful, expensive and beautiful on her finger.

Only a few hours ago she had walked into Ethan Blackwood's office as Nora Carter.

Now every newspaper, every television station, and every gossip magazine would introduce her by another name.

Mrs. Nora Blackwood.

The title made her unsure if this was what she truly wanted.

"You don't have to look so sad."

Ethan's calm voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked at him.

"I'm not Sad."

His dark eyes shifted toward her hands.

"Really?"

"You've been twisting your wedding ring since we left the courthouse."

Realizing it, Nora immediately let go of it.

"I did it unconsciously, she said."

"You've done it multiple times already."

She forced a small smile.

"I’m trying to get used to it."

"You don't have to."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"When we're alone, you can choose not to wear it."

He adjusted the cuff of his suit before continuing.

"The ring only matters when people are watching."

She studied him for a moment.

"You have thought everything through."

"It's my job."

She looked back at the ring.

"It’s beautiful."

"It is ."

"I wanted to give you something simple and nice."

"I know."

His answer made her turn sharply.

"You know?"

"I have already investigated, Ethan said."

Her expression looked quite different.

"You investigated me?"

"I investigated everyone connected to this contract."

"Would have been better asking."

"I could have."

"So why didn't you?"

His gaze remained on the road ahead.

"Because I needed to be sure."

His answer irritated her more than she expected.

"You really don't trust people, do you?"

Silence filled the car.

For a moment she thought he wouldn't answer.

Then he spoke quietly.

"I used to."

There was something in his voice.

Something broken.

She wanted to ask further questions but stopped herself.

Who had hurt him enough to make him stop believing in people? she thought

But he knows better.

Some wounds were hidden for a reason.

Neither of them spoke again for the rest of the journey.

Nearly an hour later, the city slowly gave way to quiet, tree-lined roads.

The Rolls-Royce slowed before towering wrought-iron gates decorated with the Blackwood family crest.

Without a sound, the gates swung open.

Nora leaned closer to the window.

A long driveway stretched ahead, lined with ancient oak trees and perfectly sculpted hedges.

Elegant fountains danced beneath the afternoon sun.

Rows of white roses bloomed on either side of the path.

In the distance stood an enormous stone mansion that looked as though it belonged in a historical film rather than modern-day New York.

She blinked.

" Are we going to live here?"

"Yes."

She stared at him.

"Why?"

"I own several properties."

"You own several mansions?"

"Why did you choose here?"

Nora asked.

"Because it’s private."

For the first time all day... The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted.

It wasn't exactly a smile.

But it was close.

The car finally stopped beneath a grand entrance supported by marble columns.

Before Nora could reach for the handle, a chauffeur hurried around to open the door.

"Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood."

Home.

The word echoed painfully in Nora’s chest. This was not her home.

Home had been where her parents had left for her and her brother. Home had been laughter and jokes with her brother and memories of her parents.

This place felt like another world.

The enormous double doors opened before they reached the entrance.

Nearly twenty members of staff stood waiting inside.

Housekeepers, chefs, security guards, gardeners and butlers.

Everyone bowed respectfully.

"Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood."

An elegant elderly woman stepped forward.

Silver hair framed her kind face, and warmth filled her gentle eyes.

Then she smiled at Nora.

"And welcome, Mrs. Blackwood."

Nota smiled politely.

"Thank you."

The older woman clasped her hands happily.

"My name is Margaret."

"I've looked after Master Ethan since he was a kid."

Ethan sighed.

"Margaret..."

"You don't have to announce my childhood every time."

She ignored him completely.

"Do you want to know a secret about his mischief when he was little?"

Nora nodded.

"He refuses to eat broccoli," Margaret added and sighed dramatically.

"And he works far too much. He skipped dinner."

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm still here Margaret."

More laughter echoed through the entrance hall.

Nora couldn't stop smiling.

This was completely different from the cold, intimidating billionaire the media constantly described.

Around these people... He looked normal and simple.

Margaret noticed Nora’s expression.

"Don't let him fool you. He pretends to be difficult." But underneath all that stubbornness..."

"Margaret."

"...he has a good heart."

Ethan let out another sigh.

"I've clearly lost control of my own household."

Margaret led Nora upstairs.

Every hallway looked like a luxury hotel.

Crystal chandeliers reflected golden afternoon light across polished marble floors.

Fresh lilies and roses filled elegant crystal vases.

Beautiful paintings decorated the walls.

Then Nora stopped.

A family photograph caught her attention.

A teenage Ethan stood beside an elderly gentleman.

Both were laughing, real laughter.

His eyes were bright, calm and cute.

She hadn't heard Ethan approach.

He stood beside her, looking at the same photograph.

"My grandfather."

"He raised you?"

"Yes."

"He’s late."

"Im sorry "

Thank you

His voice softened.

"He taught me everything."

"Business?"

A faint smile crossed Ethan's face.

"Business, integrity, discipline and how to make the world's worst pancakes."

Nora smiled.

"The worst?"

"They were terrible."

"But he made them every Sunday."

For a brief moment...

The serious looking Ethan disappeared.

Standing beside her was simply a grandson remembering his grandfather that he loved.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable.

It was peaceful.

Then Ethan straightened.

The emotion vanished behind his usual calm expression.

"This is your room."

He opened a pair of elegant double doors.

Nora stepped inside and looked around satisfied.

Cream-colored walls, a king-sized bed covered with silk sheets, a private sitting room overlooking the gardens, a fireplace, a dressing room slightly wider than hers and fresh white roses filled every corner.

She slowly turned toward him.

"My room?"

Ethan nodded his head.

"Yes."

"Yours."

She blinked.

‘' Mine is across the hallway?"

Relief crossed her face before she could stop it.

Ethan noticed it but didn’t utter a word about it.

"I assumed married couples..."

"Well not most married couples."

"No."

"We're not."

He reached into his pocket and handed her a sleek black key card.

"It opens every room on this floor except my office."

She accepted it.

"There are three rules."

She nodded.

"I'm listening''

In public, you are my wife."

"understood."

"No matter what happens..."

"We protect each other's reputation."

"Agreed."

His expression became serious," Please don’t lie to me."

She looked directly into his eyes.

''Sure"

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Nora spoke.

"I have conditions too."

He looked straight at her surprised.

"My brother comes first, if Noah ever needs me."I’m going to him."

"I don't care where you go."

Ethan held her gaze for several seconds.

Then he extended his hand.

"Agreed."

She shook it.

"Agreed."

Neither of them realized Margaret had quietly witnessed the exchange from the hallway.

A smile spread across her face.

"They keep calling it a contract," she whispered to herself.

"But every real marriage begins with compromise."

Later that evening...

Nathan hurried into Ethan's study carrying a tablet.

"Sir..."

Ethan looked up from the documents on his desk.

"What happened?"

Nathan placed the tablet in front of him.

Every major news outlet displayed the same headline.

NEW YORK'S MOST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE SECRETLY MARRIES!

Another followed.

Nora Carter of Carter Heights marries Ethan

Then another.

IS THIS A LOVE STORY... OR A BUSINESS DEAL?

Nathan swallowed hard.

"The media are looking into Mrs. Blackwood."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"How much have they uncovered?"

"They've already confirmed she's Nora Carter."

The room became deathly quiet.

Ethan slowly closed the tablet.

"They'll find the fraud case and blame her''

"Yes, sir."

"Most likely."

Ethan walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan.

The city glittered beneath the night sky.

His reflection stared back at him, cold, powerful and unshakable.

Then his voice broke the silence.

"If the world wants to know who Mrs Blackwood is..."

A dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face.

"...then they'll hear her story from me before anyone else gets the chance."

At that very moment...

Miles away, in a dark office, a mysterious figure stared at a photograph of Nora and her brother.

A slow, sinister smile spread across his face.

"So the Carter girl thinks marriage will save, he said as he reached for his phone.

"It won't."