Novels by Esther B Noir

BLACKWOOD PROPERTY***Evening*** The sun slipped behind the hills, turning the sky the color of burnished copper. Seraphina stood alone on the terrace, the day's exhaustion settling into her bones. The construction team had finished for the day, but the geological tests were still ongoing. The engineers had promised an update by the following morning. She took out her phone and called Gabriel. He answered on the fourth ring, voice dry. "Look who's finally remembering she has friends." Seraphina rolled her eyes."Hello to you too.""Don't hello me. Do you have any idea how long it's been since we last spoke?""You could have called me too, you know.""I know, I know." His voice softened. "I'm sorry, Sera. Things have been hectic at the hospital. We've had several complicated cases, and I barely have time to sleep these days.""It's fine.""It's not. Vivienne told me you're stuck out there with Blackwood for three more days." Seraphina's mouth tightened. "Of course s

BLACKWOOD PROPERTY The second morning began with another round of inspections. The engineers had started the geological testing before sunrise, leaving the rest of the team to review the revised plans. Seraphina sat across from Adrian in the temporary conference room, going through financial projections on her tablet. For the first time since they had arrived, the silence between them didn't feel uncomfortable. It felt different. Familiar. Dangerously familiar. Adrian looked up from his documents."Your coffee is getting cold." Seraphina glanced at the cup beside her."You're becoming annoyingly observant." A faint smile crossed his face. She tried not to smile back. She failed. For the rest of the morning, they worked almost effortlessly together.BLACKWOOD MANOR Roxanne barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, Margaret's words came back to her.'You are Adrian's wife only if you give him a child.' Then came the slap. And her

*****BLACKWOOD MANOR. The evening at Blackwood Manor was unusually quiet. Roxanne stood in the spacious living room, her phone pressed against her ear."I understand," she said softly. "So you'll be staying for a few more days?" There was a brief pause as Adrian spoke from the other end. Roxanne's lips curved into a faint smile."Alright. Just take care of yourself." She ended the call and lowered her phone. She had barely taken a breath when she heard footsteps approaching. Margaret appeared from the hallway, her expression immediately suspicious."What were you and Adrian talking about?" Roxanne turned toward her."Adrian called to let me know that he'll be staying for a few more days." Margaret's brows furrowed."He'll be staying for a few more days?""Yes.""And he told you?""Yes," Roxanne nodded."How convenient," Margaret scoffed. Roxanne frowned slightly."What do you mean?""I am his mother, Roxanne. His mother. And yet, he couldn't even bother

*****THE NEXT MORNING The morning began with another meeting. Seraphina sat at the head of the long conference table, laptop open, posture perfect, expression unreadable. Across from her, Adrian sat in silence, dark eyes fixed on the screen as the lead engineer stood beside the latest geological reports. The atmosphere was noticeably more serious than the previous day."We completed additional testing early this morning," the engineer said carefully. Seraphina's gaze sharpened. "And?" He hesitated. "The situation is more complicated than we initially believed." Adrian leaned forward. "How complicated?""The unstable soil extends farther beneath the property than the original survey indicated. We cannot simply reinforce the existing foundation." Seraphina's brows drew together. "Then what do you recommend?""Additional geological testing. A complete foundation assessment. Only then can construction proceed safely.""How long?" The engineer's pause was answer en

BLACKWOOD PROPERTY; LATE AFTERNOON The journey from Manhattan had taken nearly four hours. By the time the convoy arrived at the proposed development site, the afternoon sun was already beginning its slow descent toward the horizon. Seraphina stepped out of the black SUV, adjusting the lapel of her blazer as she surveyed the enormous stretch of land before her. The property was beautiful. Expansive green hills stretched into the distance, bordered by a dense line of trees. It was almost perfect. Almost. Adrian stepped out of the vehicle behind her. "Impressive, isn't it?" Seraphina glanced at him. "The location is." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You don't sound convinced." "I'm an investor, Mr. Blackwood. I'm not supposed to be easily convinced." He chuckled quietly. "Fair enough." The architects and engineers from both companies joined them. For the next hour, they walked around the property, examining the proposed construction areas while dis

BLACKWOOD MANOR; 7 PM Adrian stepped into the house. It had been a long day. Seraphina Vale had occupied his thoughts more than she should have. Adrian frowned at himself. It was a business meeting. Nothing more."You're late." Adrian looked up. Margaret sat comfortably on one of the sofas in the sitting room, a cup of tea resting in her hand. She had left work earlier than Adrian. Roxanne sat nearby with her laptop open, her attention divided between the screen and whatever conversation she had been having with Margaret. Roxanne looked up first. A smile touched her lips."You're home." Adrian's expression softened slightly. He walked further into the room, loosening his tie. Margaret raised an eyebrow."I assume the meeting is going well.""It is.""With Mrs. Vale, I assume." Adrian paused for only a second before looking at his mother."Yes." Roxanne closed her laptop halfway."How did it go?" Adrian walked toward the sofa and sat down o