Chapter Seven: The First Threat
761 Words
The morning after the charity gala, Amelia woke to the warm glow of sunlight spilling across her bedroom.
For a few peaceful moments, she forgot where she was.
Then she remembered.
Blackwood Manor.
Her contract marriage.
Adrian.
She sat up slowly, still thinking about the previous night's dance. It had been the first time she had seen a different side of her husband—a man who wasn't cold or distant, but gentle and patient.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
Mrs. Wilson entered with a smile.
"Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood."
"Good morning."
"Mr. Blackwood left early for an important board meeting. He asked me to tell you that he'll be home for dinner."
Amelia smiled faintly.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Mrs. Wilson raised an eyebrow, amused.
"I think someone is beginning to enjoy having company."
Amelia laughed.
"Maybe."
Later that morning, Amelia wandered into the mansion's greenhouse.
Rows of colorful orchids, lilies, roses, and lavender filled the air with a sweet fragrance.
She couldn't resist arranging a bouquet from freshly cut flowers.
"This place is incredible," she whispered.
She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice a security guard approaching.
"Mrs. Blackwood."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"A delivery arrived for you."
"For me?"
"Yes."
He handed her a small white envelope.
"There wasn't a sender's name."
Amelia frowned.
"Thank you."
When the guard left, she opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
Her smile disappeared.
The message read:
Leave Adrian Blackwood before it's too late.
If you stay, you'll lose everything you love.
No signature.
No explanation.
Only those chilling words.
A cold shiver ran down Amelia's spine.
That afternoon, Adrian returned home earlier than expected.
He immediately noticed Amelia sitting quietly in the library.
"You've been avoiding me."
She looked up.
"Have I?"
"You usually smile when you see flowers."
She glanced at the bouquet on the table.
"I received something today."
She handed him the anonymous letter.
Adrian read it once.
His jaw tightened.
"Where did this come from?"
"It was delivered this morning."
"Did anyone see who brought it?"
"No."
Without another word, Adrian picked up his phone.
"Victoria."
"Yes, sir?"
"I want every security camera checked. No exceptions."
"Right away."
He ended the call.
Amelia watched him carefully.
"You seem worried."
"I am."
"It's probably just someone trying to scare me."
"I don't take threats lightly."
She folded her arms.
"Do you know who sent it?"
"No."
But the brief hesitation before his answer didn't escape her.
"You do know something."
He sighed.
"I have enemies."
"I figured that much."
"They usually target me."
"And now they're targeting me."
"I'm sorry."
His apology surprised her.
"It isn't your fault."
"It became my fault the moment you married me."
That evening, they had dinner together in unusual silence.
Finally, Amelia spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You don't need permission."
"If this marriage puts my life in danger..."
She paused.
"...would you still have asked me to marry you?"
Adrian looked directly into her eyes.
"No."
She searched his face.
He wasn't lying.
"Then why do I feel like you expected something like this?"
Before Adrian could answer, Victoria rushed into the dining room.
"Sir."
Adrian stood immediately.
"What is it?"
"We found someone."
Amelia's heart skipped.
"Who?"
"A man was seen near the estate gates this afternoon."
"Did security stop him?"
"He escaped."
Victoria placed a photograph on the table.
"It was captured by one of the cameras."
Adrian picked it up.
His expression darkened instantly.
"You know him?" Amelia asked.
He nodded once.
"Unfortunately."
"Who is he?"
Adrian remained silent for several seconds.
"Someone from my past."
Amelia frowned.
"Is he dangerous?"
"Very."
That night, Amelia couldn't sleep.
The anonymous letter kept replaying in her mind.
She stepped onto the balcony for some fresh air.
The estate was quiet.
Almost too quiet.
As she looked toward the front gates, she noticed something unusual.
A figure stood outside the fence.
Watching the mansion.
Watching her.
Her heart pounded.
The figure slowly raised one hand...
And pointed directly at her.
Amelia gasped and stumbled backward.
By the time security reached the gates moments later...
The stranger had vanished.
Only one thing remained on the ground outside the entrance.
A single white rose.
Wrapped around its stem was another note.
This is only the beginning.
Far away, hidden inside a parked black SUV, a pair of cold eyes watched the mansion through binoculars.
A voice whispered into the darkness.
"Soon, Amelia Blackwood..."
"...you'll wish you had never met Adrian."
- Writer
