Contract to love

Chapter Ten:The COE’S wife

The following morning felt... quite normal like every other day.

For a couple who had shocked New York by secretly getting married only the day before, the Blackwood penthouse was unusually quiet.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the spacious dining room, mingling with the scent of buttered toast and crisp bacon.

Nora paused on the last step of the staircase.

Ethan was already seated at the dining table.

His suit jacket rested neatly on the back of his chair, while his tie hung loosely around his neck. A tablet lay beside his breakfast, and his phone buzzed every few seconds with new emails. Even while eating, his attention remained divided between financial reports and messages from executives scattered across different time zones.

He looked like a man who never truly stopped working.

Without lifting his head completely, he spoke.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

Nora walked toward the coffee machine and poured herself a cup.

"You've been awake for hours, haven't you?"

"I woke up by 5."

She wasn't surprised.

"You should sleep more."

"I'll sleep when the markets close."

"They never close."

"Exactly."

She shook her head, amused by herself, before sitting across from him.

"I'll be spending today at Carter Heights."

That got his attention.

His eyes lifted from the tablet.

"I need to reorganize everything," she continued. "There are contracts to review, employees to call back, departments to rebuild..."

She took a sip of coffee.

"It's time the company starts breathing again."

For the first time that morning, Ethan closed the tablet completely.

"Take Nathan.''

Your secretary?" she asked.

Take my executive assistant and four security officers."

Nora blinked.

"I don't need security."

"You do."

"It's my company."

"It's also the company that almost disappeared because people wanted your family destroyed."

His tone remained calm but controlling.

He didn’t leave any room for negotiation.

"I'll be fine."

"You don't know that."

"I've handled worse."

"You can’t handle this alone."

She folded her arms.

"Ethan..."

"No."

One word, firm and authoritative.

She leaned back in her chair.

"I appreciate the concern."

"It's not concern."

"It's risk management, he added''.

She couldn't help smiling.

"Liar."

One corner of his mouth twitched.

"You've known me for two days."

"Long enough."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Ethan picked up his coffee.

"Text me when you arrive."

"I will."

"And when you leave."

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

Carter Heights looked different.

Not because the building had changed but because hope had returned.

Employees who had spent weeks fearing unemployment greeted Nora with cautious smiles.

Some even applauded quietly as she entered the lobby.

Her heart tightened.

"I'm sorry," she told them honestly.

"I couldn't protect you before."

The receptionist shook her head.

"You came back."

"That's enough for us."

For the next ten hours, Nora buried herself in work.

She reviewed financial reports, signed emergency documents, approved delayed salaries.

Met with department managers, she personally called former employees, asking them to return the following week.

One by one they accepted.

By late afternoon, her voice had grown hoarse.

Her feet ached.

But for the first time in months, Carter Heights felt alive again.

Back at the Blackwood mansion...

Margaret stood waiting in the sitting room with three elegant garment bags draped over one arm.

Nora frowned.

"What's all that?"

"Mr. Blackwood's instructions."

"I didn't ask for clothes."

Margaret smiled knowingly.

"He knew you wouldn't."

She unzipped the first garment bag.

A breathtaking navy-blue evening gown appeared.

Silk,elegant, sophisticated and powerful without being flashy.

Nora ran her fingertips across the fabric.

"It's beautiful."

"It suits you."

"I have dresses."

Margaret laughed softly.

"So Mr. Blackwood said."

Nora looked up.

"He said..."

"'She'll wear something she already owns.'"

Margaret mimicked Ethan's deep voice surprisingly well.

"'Don’t forget to stop her.'"

Nora smiled widely.

"That sounds exactly like him."

Margaret nodded proudly.

"I've known him since he was twelve."

"He's stubborn."

"He absolutely is."

"But..."

She carefully handed Nora the dress.

"...he notices everything."

The next day began before sunrise.

By six-thirty, Nora was already inside Carter Heights.

She skipped breakfast, ignored lunch, answered dozens of calls and signed contracts until her wrist cramped.

When she finally glanced at the clock, it was already after four.

"Oh no."

She raced home.

Ten-minute shower.

Hair.

Minimal makeup.

Then the navy gown.

It hugged her figure gracefully without revealing too much ,elegant and confident.

Exactly the image a CEO's wife should project.

When she stepped downstairs...

Ethan was waiting, wearing a black tuxedo, silver cufflinks, luxury watch and effortlessly intimidating.

His eyes lifted, and for a brief second...

He stopped breathing.

The dress was exactly as he'd imagined, even better.

"You look tired," he said.

Nora sighed.

"You had a busy day, with no breakfast."

She signed.

"Margaret told you?"

"I didn't need to ask Margaret before knowing what she could do."

He went to the kitchen and brought a protein bar himself.

"Eat."

She stared at it.

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"I'm not that hungry."

"You will be halfway through dinner."

"I'll survive."

He stepped closer.

Close enough for her to notice the faint scent of his cologne.

"No."

"You'll need to eat this."

"And I refuse to explain to anyone why my wife is out of energy because she forgot to eat."

Despite herself, she laughed.

"Are you always this bossy?"

"Only when necessary."

"So..."

"Always?"

His lips almost curved.

"Eat."

She accepted the protein bar.

"Happy?"

"I will be after you finish it."

She tore open the wrapper with an exaggerated sigh.

"There."

He opened the front door.

"Good."

"Let's go."

The Regent Ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.

Every influential investor in Manhattan seemed to be present.

Conversations slowed the moment Ethan and Nora entered.

Heads turned.

Whispers spread across the room.

"That's her..."

"The new Mrs. Blackwood..."

"The Carter heiress..."

Ethan calmly placed one hand against the small of Nora's back,steady.but protectively.

Without saying a word, he guided her through the crowd.

She hated how comforting the gesture felt.

An investor approached them.

"Ethan."

He smiled politely.

"You finally got married without holding a large wedding."

Ethan nodded once.

"I did."

His hand remained at Nora's back.

"This is Nora Blackwood."

He looked directly at the surrounding gathering.

"CEO of Carter Heights."

"My wife."

The room fell silent, no hesitation.

He introduced her as though there had never been another possibility.

Pride unexpectedly swelled inside Nora's chest.

Throughout dinner...

Questions came one after another.

Some genuine.

Others carefully disguised insults.

Then Mr. Cole leaned forward.

"I hear Carter Heights is hiring again."

He smiled thinly.

"That's rather optimistic after... everything."

Nora recognized the implication immediately.

Before she could respond...

Ethan calmly set down his wine glass.

"She's rebuilding what belongs to her."

His voice wasn't raised.

Yet every conversation nearby stopped.

"And anyone foolish enough to stand in her way..."

His gaze settled on Mr. Cole.

"...will answer for me."

Silence, heavy and uncomfortable silence.

Mr. Cole quickly looked away.

"I meant no offense."

"I'm sure you didn't."

Nora slowly reached beneath the table and nudged Ethan's leg with her heel.

Subtle.

He didn't even glance at her instead…his hand found hers beneath the tablecloth.

He gave it one reassuring squeeze, then let go.

The gesture lasted barely two seconds.

Yet somehow...

It stayed with her for the rest of the evening.

The drive home was peaceful.

City lights reflected against the windows as neither of them spoke.

Finally, Nora smiled.

"You and Margaret have excellent taste."

Ethan looked away from the passing traffic.

"Margaret chose the dress."

"You approved it."

"I did."

"Thank you."

He nodded.

"You carried yourself well tonight."

She laughed softly.

"I was terrified."

"No one noticed."

She looked at him.

"You really think so?"

"I don't hand out compliments, I don't believe."

She smiled and said,''Then thank you."

After a moment, Ethan spoke again.

"You are a woman who is capable of building an empire."

She blinked.

"Not someone hiding behind my name."

She felt her chest tightened, those simple words meant more than he probably realized.

The car stopped outside the mansion.

Ethan stepped out first before opening her door himself.

As they walked inside, he glanced at his watch.

"Breakfast."

She looked at him.

"Seven o'clock."

His tone left no room for debate.

"Don't skip it."

Nora smiled to herself.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

She watched him disappear down the hallway before looking at the wedding ring still resting on her finger.

Somewhere between boardrooms...shared breakfasts..and unspoken protection...

His hands that lingered just a second too long...

Their contract had quietly begun to feel like something neither of them had planned.

And that frightened Nora far more than just the signing.