Chapter Nine: HisAssets
1324 Words
The broadcast had ended twelve minutes ago.
Yet the silence inside the Blackwood estate still felt louder than the reporters who had spent the entire morning shouting outside its gates.
Nora remained curled up on the cream-colored sofa, her fingers wrapped tightly around the television remote. The screen continued to replay the same footage from Ethan's press conference.
"This is not a request."
"It is notice."
Every news channel was dissecting his words.
Political analysts praised his composure.
Legal experts debated whether the tabloids would actually face lawsuits.
Entertainment reporters insisted Ethan Blackwood had just staged the greatest public relations performance of the decade.
Others claimed the marriage was nothing more than a carefully crafted business arrangement, which was the truth.
But none of them knew the truth, none of them knew how terrified she had been when Nathan called to tell her that reporters had surrounded Noah at school.
She hadn't stopped imagining the worst.
Her younger brother had always hated attention. He preferred books to crowds, quiet conversations over arguments.
The thought of strangers chasing him with cameras had made her physically ill.
She reached for her phone again.
Noah: I'm fine.
Noah: Stop worrying.
Noah: Your husband's security team are doing a good job, now I’m happy you are in safe hands.
Despite everything, she smiled.
Another message arrived.
Noah: Don’t worry too much, sis.
She smiled at his text
The sound of the front door opening pulled her attention away from the phone.
She looked toward the entrance.
Ethan stepped inside.
His navy suit was still perfectly tailored, but his tie had been loosened, and the top button of his shirt was undone.
He looked exhausted, not physically or emotionally, but like someone who had spent the entire day carrying responsibilities no one else could see.
Their eyes met for only a second.
Neither of them spoke.
Ethan quietly walked past the living room and into the kitchen.
Nora listened as a cabinet opened.
A glass was placed on the marble counter.
Water poured and then another glass.
A few moments later, he returned carrying both.
Without saying a word, he placed one in front of her before taking the armchair opposite the sofa.
Neither reached for the water.
The silence wasn't awkward, it was simply... heavy.
Nora finally looked up.
"You didn't have to bring me water."
"I know."
His answer was as calm as ever.
She studied him for a moment.
"You've been on television all morning.you must be very tired, she added.
"They're saying you declared war on the media."
"They're exaggerating."
She gestured toward the muted television.
"The headlines don't seem to think so."
Ethan glanced briefly at the screen.
One banner read:
BLACKWOOD VOWS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TABLOIDS.
Another declared:
The CEO STANDS BY HIS WIFE AMID GROWING CONTROVERSY.
He looked away as though the headlines meant nothing.
"The news cycle will move on."
"Will it?"
"It always does."
Nora wasn't convinced.
"The internet doesn't forget."
"No."
"It doesn't."
She lowered her eyes to the untouched glass of water.
"They're saying that calling me your wife over and over was just a publicity stunt."
Ethan remained silent.
"They think you're trying to protect Blackwood Industries."
"They're entitled to their opinions."
She looked directly at him.
"But that wasn't part of the contract."
"I know."
Her voice softened.
"Then why did you do it?"
For the first time since walking through the door, Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he rested his forearms on his knees and looked at the floor for several long seconds.
Finally, he spoke.
"It’s my duty as your husband to defend you."
His voice remained steady.
"They published lies as though they were facts."
He lifted his eyes to hers.
"And because your brother had cameras stopping in front of his school gate."
Nora swallowed hard.
"You didn't have to protect us."
'' like I said, it’s my duty."
The simplicity of his answer caught her off guard.
"I was terrified today."
"I know."
"I thought Noah wouldn’t be able to take all this happening ."
"He can, he’s a man, an intelligent one."
Ethan said.
She asked me to thank you.
He didn't need to.
She picked up her phone and held it toward him.
"Noah texted me."
He read the messages.
"Your husband's security guys are terrifying."
"But they're actually really nice."
"Tell him thanks."
A faint smile appeared on Ethan's face before disappearing just as quickly.
"You smiled."
"I did not."
"You definitely did."
"It was involuntary."
She couldn't help smiling with her eyes.
For the first time all day, the mansion felt less like a museum and more like a home.
A gentle knock interrupted the moment.
Mrs. Margaret appeared carrying herself with the quiet grace she'd maintained for decades.
"Good evening, sir. Miss Carter."
"Would either of you like anything?"
Ethan answered before Nora could.
"Chamomile tea."
Mrs. Margaret nodded.
"With honey?"
"No."
He looked toward Nora.
"No sugar."
Mrs. Margaret smiled knowingly.
"I'll bring it right away."
After she disappeared, Nora stared at Ethan.
"You remembered."
He frowned slightly.
"Remember what?"
"The tea."
"You only mentioned it once."
"You couldn't sleep your first night here."
His tone was matter-of-fact.
"You asked Mrs. Margaret for chamomile."
"You remembered that?"
"I remember details relevant to the household."
Nora raised an eyebrow.
"Relevant to the household?"
"Yes."
"Oh okay…..?"
She smiled into her lap.
It sounded like an excuse.
A terrible one.
And somehow... it felt nice.
Several minutes later, Mrs. Margaret returned with a silver tray.
Steam curled gently from the porcelain cup.
Nora took one sip.
It was perfect.
Exactly the way she liked it.
Mrs. Margaret quietly excused herself, leaving them alone once more.
The television continued flashing new headlines.
BLACKWOOD DEFENDS WIFE.
BILLIONAIRE ISSUES LEGAL WARNING TO TABLOIDS.
PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED OVER SURPRISE MARRIAGE.
Nora switched the television off.
The silence returned.
This time, it felt peaceful.
She cradled the warm mug between her hands.
"Can I ask you something?"
Ethan nodded once.
"If this hadn't happened..."
She hesitated.
"If the media hadn't attacked me... if they hadn't gone after Noah..."
She searched his face.
"Would you still have stood beside me like that?"
For a long moment, Ethan didn't answer.
His gaze remained fixed on the city lights beyond the windows.
Finally, he spoke.
"I don't joke with my business, Nora."
His words were honest.
And somehow, honesty meant more.
Ethan stood, buttoning his suit jacket.
"I have a board meeting first thing tomorrow."
"So do you."
She smiled faintly.
"I suppose being Mrs. Blackwood comes with a schedule."
"It comes with lots of responsibilities."
He walked toward the staircase before stopping halfway up.
Without turning around, he said quietly,
"Get some sleep, Nora."
"You've had enough excitement for one day."
He took another step.
"Oh..."
She looked up.
"Mrs. Margaret will clear the tea."
"You don't have to."
Then he disappeared down the hallway.
A few moments later, the door to his study clicked shut.
Nora remained exactly where she was.
The tea had begun to cool in her hands.
Outside, camera flashes still flickered beyond the estate gates.
The world continued arguing over whether their marriage was real.
Whether Ethan Blackwood's words had been calculated.
Whether everything between them was nothing more than a carefully negotiated contract.
They could speculate all they wanted.
They hadn't seen the man who quietly remembered how she liked her tea.
The man who sent an entire security team to protect his brother without being asked.
The man who stood before the nation and claimed her as his wife without hesitation.
For the first time since signing the marriage papers, Nora realized something that frightened her more than the media ever could.
The word wife no longer felt like a role she was pretending to play.
It was beginning to feel like where she belonged and wondering if this was going to feel more than her home.
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