Chapter 2

For several seconds, nobody moved. The rain continued falling outside, and the city continued breathing, but inside the Blackwood penthouse, everything had changed.

Eliam looked at the small silver music box in Gabriella’s hands. A simple object. A childhood memory. A piece of his mother. At least, that was what he had always believed. Now, for the first time, he wondered if it was something more.

“Who knew about this music box?” Luca asked.

The security officer shook his head. “We don’t know.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Mr. Romano, the person who entered Blackwood Manor disabled three security systems before entering the property.”

Luca’s expression darkened. “Disabled?”

“Yes.”

“That house has military-grade protection.”

“I know.” The officer swallowed. “They knew exactly where the cameras were.”

Eliam’s eyes narrowed. Someone familiar. Someone trained. Someone who had studied his family.

“Leave,” he said.

The officer nodded and immediately stepped away. When the door closed, silence returned.

Luca looked at him. “You think this is connected to your mother.”

“I know it is.”

“You don’t know that.”

Eliam turned toward him. “Someone broke into the one place she kept her secrets.” He looked at Gabriella. “And they searched for the one thing she gave my sister.” His voice became colder. “That is not a coincidence.”

An hour later, Gabriella was finally asleep. Eliam stood outside her room, watching through the slightly open door. He hated leaving her. Even for a few minutes. Especially after nights like this.

When he was younger, he had promised his mother he would protect Gabriella. He was only nine years old. He didn’t understand the weight of that promise, but he kept it. Every day. Every decision he made was because of her—the company, the security, the walls around their home, the people he allowed close. Everything.

“Still standing guard?”

Eliam didn’t turn. He knew the voice. “Grandmother.”

Eleanor Blackwood walked beside him. She was older now, but age had never weakened her presence. She was the woman who built alliances while others built enemies, the woman who could enter a room and make powerful men lower their voices. She looked through the doorway at Gabriella.

“She looks like your mother.”

Eliam’s expression softened slightly. “That’s what scares me.”

Eleanor looked at him. “Why?”

“Because everyone who looked like my mother lost something.”

A quiet sadness crossed Eleanor’s face. She understood better than anyone.

“She needs a family, Eliam.”

“She has me.”

“You know what I mean.”

He looked away. “I don’t have time for this.”

“You don’t have time for anything except protecting her.”

“That is my job.”

“No.” Eleanor’s voice became firmer. “That is your prison.”

The words irritated him because they were true. He walked toward the living room. “I’m not discussing this.”

“Yes, you are.”

He stopped. Eleanor placed a black folder on the table, and his eyes moved to it.

“What is that?”

“The reason I came.”

He opened the folder. Inside were legal documents, contracts, and family agreements. His expression changed.

“No.”

“You haven’t even read it.”

“I know exactly what it is.”

Eleanor watched him carefully. “For years, you have tried to separate yourself from the Blackwood syndicate.”

“And I will continue.”

“You are the heir.”

“I am the CEO of Blackwood International.”

“You are both.”

Eliam closed the folder. “I built my own life.”

“You built a wall.”

“And it works.”

“Does it?”

The question irritated him because he knew the answer. Eleanor stepped closer.

“The council is losing patience.”

“They can wait.”

“They won’t.”

Eliam’s eyes hardened. “They have threatened me before.”

“This time is different.”

“Why?”

“Because they know your weakness.”

His expression changed. “Gabriella.”

Eleanor nodded. “They know you would destroy the world before letting anything happen to her.”

The room became silent. Then Eleanor spoke the words he already knew were coming.

“You need protection that even they cannot challenge.”

Eliam laughed quietly. “You’re suggesting I return to the syndicate?”

“No.” She looked directly at him. “I’m suggesting you create your own power.”

He frowned. “How?”

Eleanor’s answer was simple. “Marriage.”

The word felt ridiculous. Eliam stared at her. “No.”

“Listen.”

“No.”

“You need a wife.”

“I need nothing.”

“You need a legal connection strong enough to remove the council’s control.”

“I don’t need a stranger.”

“You need someone they cannot manipulate.”

Eliam looked away. The idea was impossible. Marriage. Love. Trust. All things he had removed from his life.

“I won’t marry someone for business.”

Eleanor studied him. “Then don’t.”

He looked back at her. “What?”

“Marry someone for survival.”

Before he could respond, his phone rang. The name on the screen made his expression darken. Victoria Vance.

Eleanor noticed. “Answer it.”

He hesitated, then accepted. “Victoria.”

Her voice was smooth and confident. “Eliam. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“You are.”

A small laugh. “Still charming.”

“I’m busy.”

“I know.” A pause. “That’s why I’m calling.”

His eyes narrowed. “What happened?”

“The board is requesting an emergency meeting.”

“Why?”

“Because three investors have suddenly questioned your leadership.”

Eliam’s jaw tightened. “Who contacted them?”

Another pause. Too long. “Victoria.”

“I don’t know yet.”

He almost smiled. Victoria always knew. “Find out.”

“I’ll try.”

The call ended. Eliam stared at the phone.

Luca appeared at the doorway. “Problem?”

“Someone is moving against the company.”

Eleanor picked up her cane. “Then you are running out of time.”

Eliam looked between them. His empire. His sister. His mother’s secrets. Everything was beginning to collapse at once.

Then Gabriella’s bedroom door opened. The little girl stood there, holding her music box, half asleep.

“Eli?”

He immediately walked toward her. “What happened?”

She looked past him, straight at Eleanor. Then whispered: “Grandma…”

Everyone froze. Gabriella had always loved Eleanor, but what she said next changed everything.

“Why was the red earring lady crying in your room?”

Eleanor stopped breathing. Because Gabriella had just described a memory that no one knew she had—and Eleanor knew exactly what room Gabriella was talking about.

Her room. The night Eliam’s mother died.