Chapter Eight: The Hidden Enemy
854 Words
Amelia barely slept.
The image of the stranger standing outside the estate gates haunted her throughout the night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the white rose... and the note tied around its stem.
This is only the beginning.
When morning arrived, she found Adrian already dressed for work, speaking quietly with the head of security in the entrance hall.
"I want patrols doubled," Adrian ordered.
"No one enters the estate without clearance."
"Yes, sir."
The guard walked away.
Amelia approached him.
"You're increasing security because of me."
Adrian looked at her.
"Because of the threat."
"I don't want everyone worrying about me."
"This isn't about worry."
"Then what is it?"
"It's about keeping you safe."
His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed genuine concern.
For the first time, Amelia realized he wasn't acting out of obligation.
He truly wanted to protect her.
After breakfast, Amelia decided she couldn't spend every day hiding inside Blackwood Manor.
She found Adrian in his office.
"I'd like to visit my mother."
He looked up from his laptop.
"I was expecting that."
"You were?"
"I arranged transportation."
She frowned.
"I can take a taxi."
"I'd rather you didn't."
"Adrian..."
"The threat wasn't an empty one."
She sighed.
"I refuse to live like a prisoner."
"You won't."
He stood and walked toward her.
"I'll have two security officers accompany you."
"That's unnecessary."
"It isn't negotiable."
Amelia looked at him for a long moment before giving in.
"Fine."
The hospital visit lifted Amelia's spirits.
Her mother looked healthier than she had in weeks.
Her cheeks had regained some color, and she even managed a smile.
"You look happy," Evelyn said.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
Amelia laughed softly.
"I suppose I'm starting to adjust."
"To married life?"
"It's... different."
Evelyn studied her carefully.
"Has Adrian treated you well?"
"He has."
Her mother looked relieved.
"I'm glad."
For a brief moment, Amelia almost told her about the anonymous threats.
But she stopped herself.
Her mother had enough to worry about.
As Amelia left the hospital, one of the security guards opened the car door.
"Mrs. Blackwood."
She nodded.
Just as she was about to get inside, someone bumped into her shoulder.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," a young woman said quickly.
"It's alright."
The woman hurried away without looking back.
Amelia thought nothing of it.
Until they reached the mansion.
She reached into her handbag for her phone.
Instead...
She found a folded piece of paper she had never seen before.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She unfolded it.
You can't hide behind Adrian forever.
The truth always finds its way into the light.
She immediately showed the note to Adrian.
His expression darkened.
"Where did you get this?"
"I don't know."
"Think carefully."
"Someone bumped into me outside the hospital."
Adrian picked up his phone.
"Victoria."
"Yes, sir?"
"I need every security camera from St. Mary's Hospital for this afternoon."
"I'll contact them immediately."
He ended the call.
Amelia watched him.
"You really think someone planted this?"
"I know they did."
That evening, Adrian called a meeting with his security team.
Amelia listened quietly from the corner of the room.
"The person responsible knows Mrs. Blackwood's movements."
One of the guards nodded.
"An inside source?"
"Possibly."
Another guard spoke.
"We've checked the staff."
"No one is above suspicion," Adrian replied firmly.
His words sent a chill through the room.
If someone inside Blackwood Manor was leaking information...
Then nowhere was truly safe.
Later that night, Amelia walked into the mansion's library.
She hoped reading would calm her mind.
Instead, she found Mrs. Wilson placing fresh flowers in a vase.
"You can't sleep either?" Mrs. Wilson asked gently.
Amelia smiled weakly.
"Not tonight."
Mrs. Wilson hesitated before speaking again.
"Mrs. Blackwood..."
"Yes?"
"Whatever happens..."
She lowered her voice.
"...don't stop trusting your instincts."
Amelia frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Before Mrs. Wilson could answer, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
She quickly changed the subject.
"The roses are especially beautiful this season."
Adrian entered the library.
"Everything alright?"
Mrs. Wilson smiled politely.
"Perfectly, sir."
She quietly excused herself.
Amelia watched her leave.
Something told her the older woman had wanted to say much more.
Near midnight, Adrian was awakened by a phone call.
He answered immediately.
"What is it?"
Victoria's voice sounded tense.
"Sir... we've identified the woman who approached Mrs. Blackwood at the hospital."
Adrian sat upright.
"Who is she?"
"We don't know her identity yet."
"But..."
Victoria paused.
"She wasn't acting alone."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Explain."
"The security footage shows another person watching from across the street."
"Can you identify him?"
"We only captured part of his face."
A few seconds of silence followed.
Then Victoria added quietly,
"Sir..."
"The facial recognition software found a possible match."
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
"Who?"
Victoria took a deep breath.
"The man disappeared seven years ago."
Adrian's face lost all color.
"That's impossible."
"I'm afraid it isn't."
He slowly looked toward Amelia's bedroom door down the hallway.
If the identification was correct...
Then the danger surrounding Amelia had just become far greater than he had imagined.
And someone from the past had returned.
- Writer
