Married to My Enemy’s Brother

“Say yes, Sienna.” My father’s voice cut through the silence. I stared at the marriage contract lying on the table. The papers looked harmless, but one signature would decide the rest of my life. Across from me sat Adrian Blackwood. He wore a dark suit, his expression cold and unreadable. He had not spoken since I entered the room. He didn’t need to. His presence filled every corner. “I won’t marry him,” I said. My father’s face hardened. “You will.” “No.” I pushed the contract away. “You can’t force me to marry someone I don’t love.” “This marriage will save our family.” “Save us from what?” My father looked away. That was when I knew he was hiding something. I turned to Adrian. “Did you know about this?” “Yes.” The answer felt like a slap. “And you agreed?” “I did.” “You don’t even know me.” “I know enough.” Anger rose inside me. The Blackwoods knew everything about my family. They knew my father’s business was failing. They knew our debts were growing. They knew we were desperate. But Adrian didn’t understand one thing. I hated his family. Three years ago, his younger brother, Damien Blackwood, accused my older brother, Daniel, of stealing money from the Blackwood company. Daniel lost his job. Our family lost everything. Six months later, Daniel died in a car accident. The police called it an accident. I never believed them. I blamed Damien. And now I was being asked to marry his brother. “I would rather lose everything,” I said, “than become a Blackwood.” The room became silent. My father’s jaw tightened. Adrian’s expression did not change. Then my phone vibrated. I looked down. An unknown number had sent me a message. Sign the contract, or your younger brother dies tonight. My breath stopped. For several seconds, I could only stare at the screen. Then I read the message again. Sign the contract, or your younger brother dies tonight. My hands began to shake. My younger brother, Leo, was only seventeen. He had nothing to do with the problems between our families. I quickly typed a reply. Who are you? The message disappeared. Another arrived. You have ten minutes. My heart pounded. I looked around the room. My father was watching me. Adrian was watching me too. Neither of them looked surprised. That frightened me more than the threat. “What is it?” my father asked. I locked my phone. “Nothing.” Adrian narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying.” “It’s none of your business.” He stood. The movement was slow, but everyone in the room became tense. Adrian walked around the table and stopped beside me. “Show me your phone.” “No.” “Sienna.” “I said no.” His voice became quieter. “Show me.” I should have refused. Instead, I handed it to him. His eyes moved across the screen. For the first time, his cold expression changed. “What?” I asked. He looked toward the door. “Where is Leo?” “At school.” “What school?” “Why?” “Answer me.” I stood. “You don’t get to question me.” “Where is he?” I gave him the name. Adrian immediately took out his phone. “Send someone there,” he said. “Now.” My stomach tightened. “Who are you calling?” “Security.” “Why?” He showed the message to my father. “Because this threat may be real.” My father read it. His face turned pale. “Who sent this?” “I don’t know.” My father looked at Adrian. “What is happening?” Adrian walked toward the window. Rain covered the city below. “Someone wants this marriage to happen,” he said. I folded my arms. “Then it must be your family.” His eyes became cold. “You think I threatened your brother?” “I think the Blackwoods are capable of anything.” “You know nothing about my family.” “I know what Damien did to mine.” The room fell silent. Adrian’s face changed. Only slightly. But I saw it. Pain. Or guilt. “Damien didn’t kill your brother,” he said. My heart stopped. “What?” “I said he didn’t kill Daniel.” “You don’t know that.” “I know more than you think.” I stepped closer. “Then tell me what happened.” Before he could answer, the doors burst open. A man rushed inside. His white shirt was stained with blood. “Mr. Blackwood!” Adrian turned. “What happened?” The man struggled to breathe. “Your brother…” My eyes narrowed. “Damien?” The man nodded. “He’s dead.” The room exploded into chaos. My father stepped back. Someone near the door screamed. The blood drained from Adrian’s face. For the first time, he looked completely shocked. “What did you say?” he asked. “His car was found near the river. The police believe he was attacked.” I couldn’t move. Damien was dead. The man I blamed for my brother’s death was gone. I expected relief. Instead, I felt empty. Then my phone vibrated again. Another message appeared. Your enemy is dead. Now marry his brother—or you’re next. My hands went cold. Adrian saw the message. His eyes darkened. “What does it say?” I showed him. He read it slowly. Then he looked at me. “You need to leave.” “What?” “Go home. Lock the doors. Don’t answer anyone.” “You think I’m going to listen to you?” “This isn’t a game.” “My brother is missing, Damien is dead, and someone is threatening me. You don’t get to tell me what to do.” Adrian moved closer. His voice became quiet. “You’re in danger.” “So are you.” His eyes held mine. For one strange second, the room disappeared. There was only the two of us. Then his phone rang. He answered. “Yes?” His expression hardened. “When?” He listened. Then he ended the call. “What happened?” I asked. “The police found evidence connecting Damien’s death to the Carter family.” My father went still. “That’s impossible.” “They found your company’s documents in his car.” My father shook his head. “We didn’t do this.” Adrian looked at me. “Whether your father is innocent or not, people will believe he killed my brother.” “What does that have to do with me?” “It means the marriage cannot be canceled.” I stared at him. “You’re insane.” “If we cancel it now, both families will become enemies.” “We already are enemies.” “No.” He stepped closer. “Now we are targets.” My phone vibrated again. A photograph appeared. Leo was tied to a chair. His mouth was covered. Behind him stood a man wearing a black mask. I screamed. Adrian took the phone. His face became dangerous. “Where was this taken?” “I don’t know.” Another message arrived. Sign the contract before midnight. I looked at the papers. Then at Adrian. My entire life had changed in minutes. My enemy was dead. My brother had been taken. And the only person who might help me was the brother I hated. My father placed a pen beside the contract. “Sienna,” he whispered. I picked it up. My hand trembled above the paper. Adrian watched me. “Once you sign,” he said, “there is no turning back.” I knew. But Leo needed me. I lowered the pen. Then the lights went out. A gunshot echoed through the room. Someone screamed. The darkness swallowed us. I heard footsteps rushing across the floor. Then a strong hand grabbed my wrist. “Don’t move,” Adrian whispered. “Where is my father?” “I don’t know.” Another gunshot rang out. I flinched. Adrian pulled me against his chest. His arm wrapped around me. “Stay behind me.” The lights returned. The room was empty. My father was gone. The contract lay on the floor. But the pen was missing. A red message had been written across the papers. MIDNIGHT IS TOO LATE. Then my phone rang. I answered immediately. “Leo?” Only silence answered. Then a man laughed. “Congratulations, Sienna.” My body froze. “You’re going to marry Adrian Blackwood.” The call ended. I looked at Adrian. His face had become hard. “What did he say?” I swallowed. “He said I’m going to marry you.” Adrian picked up the contract. His eyes moved to the red words. Then he looked at me. “No,” he said. “But—” “You’re not marrying me.” Hope rose inside me. Then he added, “You’re marrying me tonight.” I stared at him. “Why?” His eyes became dark. “Because whoever took Leo believes this marriage will protect us.” “And you believe them?” “No.” He stepped closer. “But I intend to find out why they’re afraid of us together.” The rain struck the windows. Sirens echoed outside. I looked at the contract. Then at the man I had sworn to hate. Tonight, I would become Adrian Blackwood’s wife. And I had a terrible feeling that marrying my enemy’s brother was only the beginning.