Contract to love

Chapter Seven:Media storm

The morning sky over Blackwood private residence was hidden behind a sea of camera and flashing lights.

Every entrance to the estate was crowded with television vans, photographers, and reporters desperate for a story. The Security guards stood shoulder to shoulder behind the iron gates, refusing to let anyone through despite the endless barrage of loud questions.

"Mrs. Blackwood! Just one statement!"

"When did the relationship begin? Was the marriage arranged?"

The voices echoed across the grounds, reaching the master bedroom on the second floor.

Nora stood beside the tall window with her arms folded tightly across her chest. She had barely slept. Every few minutes another camera flash reflected against the glass, reminding her that her life no longer belonged to her.

Less than twenty-four hours ago, she had been an ordinary woman trying to rebuild her future after Carter Heights nearly collapsed.

Now she was the wife of one of the richest and most powerful men in America.

Everything felt unreal.

She reached for the remote and turned off the television after watching another reporter speculate about her identity. Every station carried the same s********e described her as a mysterious beauty who had captured Ethan Blackwood's heart. Others claimed she had secretly been engaged to him since they were kids and the reason behind Ethan's failed relationship with his ex.

None of them knew the truth.

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in,"Nora said quietly.

Margaret entered carrying a silver breakfast tray. Fresh coffee filled the room with its warm aroma, while neatly sliced fruit and toasted bread rested beside a folded newspaper.

The older woman offered a sympathetic smile.

"I thought you might need breakfast."

Nora returned the smile, though it barely reached her eyes.

"Thank you."

Margaret hesitated before placing the newspaper on the table.

"I'm afraid today's headlines aren't any different from yesterday’s."

Curiosity got the better of Nora.

She unfolded the paper.

There she was.

A full-page photograph showed her walking beside Ethan outside the courthouse. Although Ethan's expression remained calm and unreadable, she looked ordinary, almost frightened.

The headline stretched across the page in bold black letters.

WHO IS THE WOMAN THAT ETHAN BLACKWOOD MARRIED ?

Below it were countless theories.

Some claimed she used Carter's height as leverage over him.

She chuckled, Why will I do this when he’s already rich?

Others insisted she had manipulated Ethan into marriage.

One article even suggested she had been secretly engaged to another man before meeting him.

Nora closed the newspaper immediately.

"They don't even know me," she whispered.

Margaret gently squeezed her shoulder.

"The media rarely waits for the truth."

Before Nora could answer, her phone vibrated.

Noah Calling.

She answered before the second ring.

"Noah?"

Her younger brother sounded breathless.

"You seriously married Ethan Blackwood?"

Despite everything, Nora laughed softly.

"I was planning to tell you."

"When? After the entire country found out?"

"I'm sorry."

There was a short silence.

Then Noah spoke more gently.

"Are you okay?"

She looked around the enormous bedroom.

The expensive furniture.

The elegant chandelier.

The priceless artwork decorating the walls.

Everything was beautiful.

Yet nothing felt familiar.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"It all happened so fast."

"You don't sound happy."

"I don't even know what happiness is supposed to feel like anymore."

Noah sighed.

"I've been reading what people are saying online."

"Don't read them."

"They're calling all sorts of names."

"I know."

"They don't know you."

Nora smiled sadly.

"That doesn't stop them."

His voice became serious.

"Whatever happens, remember you're still my sister. I don't care what your last name is."

Tears threatened to form in her eyes.

"Thank you boss."

Just then another knock sounded outside her door.

This time it was firmer.

Margaret glanced toward the entrance.

"I believe Mr. Blackwood is here."

Nora arranged and composed herself before answering.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Ethan stepped inside dressed in a suit, looking as calm as though the world outside wasn't in chaos.

His sharp eyes immediately noticed the newspaper lying on the table.

"Don’t read them."

It wasn't a question.

Nora nodded.

"I couldn't help myself."

He walked farther into the room.

"That was a mistake, his voice wasn't harsh.

It was matter-of-fact.

"The press feeds on emotion, it’s better we let them think whatever they want.

She looked up at him.

"Does it ever stop?"

For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed Ethan's face.

"No."

His answer was quiet.

"You simply learn not to let it control you."

A brief silence settled between them.

Nora searched Ethan's face, hoping to find some reassurance beneath his calm exterior. He looked composed as always, but there was a faint tension in his jaw that suggested he had already been dealing with the fallout all morning.

"You've been busy," she said softly.

"I have."

"How bad is it?"

Ethan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the newspaper, folded it once, and set it aside as though it were nothing more than yesterday's mail.

"Worse than I expected," he admitted. "Better than it will be tomorrow."

Nora frowned.

"Tomorrow?"

"The media doesn't lose interest overnight. Every hour they don't get answers, they'll invent new ones."

Before she could respond, Nathan knocked and entered, holding a tablet.

"Sir, the latest reports."

Ethan accepted it without a word.

Nathan glanced apologetically at Nora.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Blackwood."

She managed a polite nod.

"What happened?"

Nathan hesitated before turning the screen toward Ethan.

"Several news outlets are claiming your marriage is connected to the Carter Heights Downfall."

Nora’s heart sank.

"They're saying I planned everything?"

"They're implying it," Nathan replied carefully. "No proof. Just speculation."

Ethan's eyes darkened as he read the headlines.

He handed the tablet back.

"Have Legal respond."

"They already are."

"No."

Ethan's voice became colder.

"I don't want statements."

Nathan understood immediately.

"Lawsuits?"

"Yes, Ethan replied."

Nathan gave a single nod and left the room.

Nora stared at Ethan.

"You're really going to sue them?"

"If they profit from lies about my life and you, they'll answer for it."

He had said them so naturally and not as part of a contract or business deal.

Simply as though protecting her was the obvious thing to do.

She looked away before he noticed the warmth rising to her cheeks.

"I never wanted any of this," she whispered.

"I know."

"Never thought I would find myself in this''

Ethan crossed the room until they stood only a few feet apart.

"The world doesn’t give you room to plan."

She blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"It's built on attention, rumors, and power. You don't survive by enjoying it, You survive by controlling it."

His words carried the weight of experience.

For the first time, Nora wondered how lonely his life must have been.

Everyone knew Ethan Blackwood.

But how many people truly knew the man behind the headlines?

A sharp buzz interrupted the moment.

Nathan's voice came through Ethan's phone.

"Sir."

"What is it?"

The reporters have left the estate

Ethan's expressions become relaxed instantly.

Nora released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"That's good, isn't it?"

Nathan continued.

"They've gone to Carter Heights."

Every trace of relief disappeared.

Nora's eyes widened.

"No..."

"They're interviewing former employees," Nathan said. "And asking questions about her family."

"My family?"

Ethan's grip tightened on the phone.

"Who?"

There was a brief pause.

"They'd found Noah. Nora felt the room spin.

"What?"

"They're outside his college, and they are following him between classes."

Her pulse raced.

"Noah hates attention."

She reached for her bag.

"I'm going to him."

Ethan stepped in front of the door before she could leave.

"You can't."

She glared at him.

"Move."

"If you go now, every camera in the city will follow you."

"I don't care!"

"I do."

His voice remained calm, but there was unmistakable authority behind it.

"I won't let your brother become tomorrow's headline."

Tears gathered in Nora’s eyes.

"What do you intend to do?"

For a heartbeat, Ethan simply looked at her.

Then he reached for his phone.

"Prepare the security team."

Nathan answered immediately.

"They're ready."

"I want Noah escorted home safely."

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure every reporter stays at least one hundred feet away."

"What if they refuse?"

Ethan's expression turned icy.

"They won't."

The call ended.

Nota stared at him in silence.

"You really think you can stop them?"

Ethan slipped the phone into his pocket.

"I don't intend to ask."

Outside the bedroom window, a drone circled above the estate, its blades humming through the morning air.

The media storm had only begun.

And neither Nora nor Ethan realized that someone far more dangerous than the reporters was already watching them from the shadows.