Chapter Three:THE SECRET WEDDING
2188 Words
Amelia stood frozen in the middle of the bedroom.
Her heart was beating too fast.
She couldn't stop thinking about what she had just seen.
A little girl.
A burning house.
A frightened woman.
And a young boy with Adrian Blackwood's eyes.
What did it mean?
Was it a memory?
Or just a dream?
"Amelia."
Adrian's voice pulled her back.
She looked at him.
He was standing by the door, watching her carefully.
"Are you coming?"
Amelia swallowed.
"Yes."
She walked toward him.
But as she passed, she stopped.
"Adrian."
He looked at her.
"What?"
"Have we met before?"
His expression became unreadable.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Because I feel like—"
"Amelia."
His voice was firm.
"Don't."
She frowned.
"Don't what?"
"Ask questions you don't want the answers to."
Her heart skipped.
"What does that mean?"
"It means we're late."
He opened the door.
Amelia stared at his back.
There was something he wasn't telling her.
She knew it.
And she was determined to find out what it was.
The wedding ceremony took place in a private chapel.
It was beautiful.
Too beautiful.
White flowers decorated every corner, and soft candlelight illuminated the room.
But there was no happiness.
No family.
No friends.
No celebration.
Just a secret.
Amelia walked slowly down the aisle.
Adrian stood at the altar.
His eyes were fixed on her.
For a moment, she forgot everything else.
The debt.
Her mother.
The contract.
The secrets.
All she could see was him.
He looked different tonight.
Less like the ruthless billionaire everyone feared.
More like a man who was waiting for something.
When Amelia reached him, Adrian extended his hand.
She placed hers in his.
His fingers closed around hers.
Warm.
Strong.
Possessive.
Amelia immediately looked away.
The priest began speaking.
She barely heard the words.
Her mind was somewhere else.
Was she really doing this?
Was she really about to become the wife of Adrian Blackwood?
A man she barely knew?
A man who seemed to know more about her than she knew about herself?
The priest turned to Adrian.
"Do you, Adrian Blackwood, take Amelia Carter to be your lawful wife?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"I do."
Amelia looked at him.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No uncertainty.
Nothing.
The priest turned to her.
"Do you, Amelia Carter, take Adrian Blackwood to be your lawful husband?"
Amelia's heart pounded.
She looked at Adrian.
His eyes held hers.
For one strange moment, she felt safe.
Then she remembered the contract.
This wasn't love.
This was a deal.
One year.
She could do one year.
"I do."
The words left her lips.
Adrian's fingers tightened around hers.
The priest smiled.
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Amelia's heart stopped.
Husband and wife.
She was married.
The priest looked at Adrian.
"You may kiss your bride."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
But before she could finish, Adrian stepped closer.
Amelia held her breath.
His face was inches from hers.
She could feel his breath.
Her heart began racing.
Then Adrian stopped.
He looked into her eyes.
"Do you want me to?"
Amelia was surprised by the question.
She had expected him to simply do it.
She slowly shook her head.
"No."
Adrian stepped back.
"Fine."
The priest looked slightly uncomfortable.
Amelia felt her cheeks burn.
"Let's just finish this."
Adrian's lips curved slightly.
"Of course, Mrs. Blackwood."
Amelia glared at him.
"Don't call me that."
"You are my wife."
"Secretly."
"Still my wife."
She said nothing.
The ceremony ended.
The lawyer handed them their marriage certificate.
Amelia stared at the document.
Her hands trembled.
Her name was written beside Adrian's.
She was now legally his wife.
Adrian took the document from her.
"Let's go."
Amelia looked up.
"Where?"
"Home."
"Our home?"
"Yes."
She sighed.
"Right."
They walked out of the chapel.
A black car was waiting.
Adrian opened the door for her.
Amelia hesitated before getting inside.
As she sat down, she noticed a woman standing near the entrance.
She was beautiful.
Tall.
Elegant.
Dressed in an expensive red gown.
The woman's eyes were fixed on Adrian.
Not Amelia.
Adrian.
There was something familiar in the way she looked at him.
Like she knew him.
Like she had every right to be there.
Amelia looked at Adrian.
"Who is she?"
Adrian's expression immediately changed.
"No one."
The woman smiled.
Then she walked toward them.
"Adrian."
He stopped.
The woman's eyes moved to Amelia.
Her smile disappeared.
"You got married?"
Adrian's face became cold.
"Leave."
The woman's expression hardened.
"You didn't tell me."
"I don't owe you an explanation."
"After everything we've been through?"
Amelia's eyes widened.
Everything?
She looked at Adrian.
Then at the woman.
"Who is she?"
Neither answered.
The woman smiled bitterly.
"Ask your husband."
Adrian's eyes turned dangerous.
"Victoria."
His assistant immediately stepped forward.
"Yes, sir?"
"Take her away."
The woman laughed.
"You can pretend all you want, Adrian."
She looked directly at Amelia.
"But sooner or later, she'll find out."
"Find out what?" Amelia asked.
The woman smiled.
"Why he really married you."
Amelia's stomach dropped.
Adrian stepped forward.
"That's enough."
The woman's eyes filled with anger.
"You think you can replace me with her?"
"You're embarrassing yourself."
"You'll regret this."
"Get out."
The woman stared at him for several seconds.
Then she turned toward Amelia.
"Enjoy your marriage."
She walked away.
Amelia watched her disappear.
Then she turned to Adrian.
"Who was she?"
Adrian opened the car door.
"Get in."
"No."
"Amelia."
"Who was she?"
"Someone from my past."
"Your past?"
"Yes."
"An ex-girlfriend?"
"No."
"A former lover?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Because she just told me to find out why you married me."
Adrian's expression became unreadable.
Amelia stared at him.
"Was she telling the truth?"
"Get in the car."
"Adrian—"
"Get in."
His voice was cold.
Amelia hated the way he spoke to her.
But she also knew that arguing wouldn't get her answers.
She climbed into the car.
Adrian followed.
The entire drive home was silent.
Amelia stared out the window.
Her mind was full of questions.
Who was that woman?
What had she meant?
Why did Adrian look so angry?
And why had he chosen Amelia?
After nearly thirty minutes, the car stopped.
Amelia looked outside.
They were in front of an enormous mansion.
She stared.
"You're joking."
"No."
"This is where you live?"
"Yes."
"You live here alone?"
"Yes."
Amelia looked at him.
"Why?"
"I prefer privacy."
"You're a billionaire."
"That's not an answer."
"You're not exactly easy to live with."
Amelia rolled her eyes.
"At least we agree on something."
They stepped inside.
A housekeeper immediately approached.
"Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood."
Adrian nodded.
Then the woman's eyes moved to Amelia.
She froze.
Amelia noticed.
The housekeeper looked terrified.
Adrian's voice became sharp.
"Mrs. Wilson."
"Yes, sir?"
"This is my wife."
The woman looked at Amelia.
Then at Adrian.
"Your wife?"
"Yes."
The housekeeper's face became pale.
Amelia frowned.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, ma'am."
The woman quickly looked away.
Amelia didn't believe her.
Adrian placed a hand on Amelia's lower back.
The unexpected touch made her tense.
"Show my wife to her room."
"Yes, sir."
Amelia turned to Adrian.
"You're not coming?"
"No."
"Good."
He looked at her.
"Amelia."
"What?"
"Tomorrow, we'll discuss the rules of this marriage."
"I thought we already did."
"There are more."
"Of course there are."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"Don't leave this house without telling me."
Amelia frowned.
"I'm not your prisoner."
"I know."
"Then don't treat me like one."
"I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?"
Adrian went silent.
Again.
Amelia was beginning to hate that silence.
"Adrian."
He looked at her.
"Someone knows about our marriage."
Her heart skipped.
"What?"
"The woman tonight."
"What about her?"
"She wasn't supposed to be there."
"Who is she?"
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Her name is Isabella."
Amelia waited.
"Isabella what?"
"Isabella Moretti."
The name meant nothing to Amelia.
"Why was she there?"
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Because she has a problem with me."
"What kind of problem?"
"An old one."
"That's not an answer."
"It is tonight."
Amelia crossed her arms.
"You're hiding something."
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
At least he was finally honest.
"What?"
Adrian stepped closer.
"Many things."
Amelia stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because the less you know, the safer you are."
She laughed.
"That's what everyone says when they don't want to tell the truth."
Adrian's eyes moved over her face.
"You're going to have to trust me."
"That's never going to happen."
"Why?"
"Because you married me for reasons you refuse to explain."
His expression changed.
"Maybe one day you'll understand."
"When?"
"When the time is right."
Amelia shook her head.
"You're impossible."
She turned away.
"Goodnight, Adrian."
"Goodnight, Amelia."
She stopped.
Something about the way he said her name made her turn back.
His eyes were on her.
There was something there.
Something she couldn't understand.
For one moment, Amelia wondered if Adrian Blackwood was capable of loving someone.
Then she remembered the contract.
She walked away.
She had barely reached the staircase when she heard a voice.
"Mrs. Blackwood."
Amelia turned.
The housekeeper was standing behind her.
"Yes?"
The woman's eyes moved nervously toward Adrian's office.
"There's something you need to know."
Amelia's heart began to beat faster.
"What?"
The housekeeper looked around.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Don't ever go into Mr. Blackwood's private study."
Amelia frowned.
"Why?"
The woman swallowed.
"Because the last woman who went inside..."
She stopped.
"What happened to her?"
The housekeeper's face turned pale.
"She disappeared."
Amelia stared at her.
"What?"
Before the woman could explain, Adrian's voice came from behind them.
"Mrs. Wilson."
The housekeeper jumped.
Adrian was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
His expression was terrifying.
"Go to bed."
"Yes, sir."
The woman quickly left.
Amelia turned toward Adrian.
"What did she mean?"
"Nothing."
"She said a woman disappeared."
"She was talking nonsense."
"Who disappeared?"
"Amelia."
"What?"
"Go to your room."
She stared at him.
Then she smiled.
It wasn't a happy smile.
"You're afraid."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Of what?"
"That I'm going to discover your secrets."
He stepped closer.
"You're my wife."
"Secret wife."
"You're still my wife."
"Only for one year."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"Don't be so sure."
Amelia's heart skipped.
"What does that mean?"
But Adrian walked away.
She watched him disappear down the hallway.
And for the first time since signing the marriage contract, Amelia wondered if she had made the biggest mistake of her life.
Because Adrian Blackwood wasn't just hiding a secret.
He was hiding an entire world.
And somehow, Amelia was now trapped right in the middle of it.
Later that night, Amelia couldn't sleep.
She tossed and turned.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the woman in the red dress.
Why he really married you.
The words wouldn't leave her mind.
Finally, she got out of bed.
She walked to the window.
The mansion was silent.
Too silent.
Then she heard something.
A noise.
Coming from downstairs.
Amelia frowned.
She opened her bedroom door.
The hallway was dark.
She slowly walked down the stairs.
The sound became clearer.
Someone was arguing.
She moved closer.
Then she heard Adrian's voice.
"You shouldn't have come here."
A man's voice answered.
"You know why I'm here."
"Leave."
"You can't hide her forever."
Amelia froze.
Her heart pounded.
Hide who?
The man laughed.
"Does she even know who she is?"
Silence.
Amelia's blood ran cold.
Adrian spoke again.
"Be careful."
"Or what?"
"I'll kill you."
Amelia covered her mouth.
She had never heard Adrian sound like that.
The man laughed again.
"You're too late, Adrian."
"What are you talking about?"
"The girl."
Amelia's heart stopped.
"What girl?"
The man whispered something.
Amelia couldn't hear it.
But Adrian's reaction was immediate.
He grabbed the man by the collar.
"Who told you?"
The man smiled.
"Everyone knows."
"Who?"
"Your father."
Adrian froze.
Amelia's eyes widened.
Her father?
Adrian's father?
What did he have to do with her?
Suddenly, the floor creaked beneath Amelia's feet.
Both men turned.
Adrian's eyes met hers.
His face went completely still.
"Amelia."
She stood frozen on the stairs.
The stranger smiled.
"So this is her."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Run."
Amelia's heart pounded.
"What?"
"Run, Amelia!"
The stranger moved.
Adrian stepped in front of him.
"Get away from my wife."
The stranger laughed.
"Your wife?"
He looked at Amelia.
"Does she know?"
"Know what?" Amelia shouted.
The man smiled.
"That you're not really a Carter?"
Amelia stopped breathing.
Adrian turned toward her.
"Don't listen to him."
"Then tell me the truth!"
"Amelia—"
"Who am I?"
Silence.
She looked between the two men.
"Who am I?"
Adrian didn't answer.
And that silence told her everything.
There was a truth.
A truth about her identity.
A truth Adrian knew.
And suddenly, Amelia understood.
Her marriage to Adrian Blackwood wasn't an accident.
It had never been about money.
It had never been about a wife.
Adrian had chosen her for a reason.
And that reason was about to change her life forever.
- Writer
