POWER AND BLOODLINE

“My lady… it’s morning.”

Clara’s gentle voice cut through the quiet of Lena’s room. She stood by the window, letting the sunlight spill in.

Lena stirred, her eyes blinking against the light. Her body ached slightly, and her mind felt heavy. She remembered the wedding night and how everything had changed. Two men now owned her life in a way she could not yet understand.

Clara smiled softly. “Don’t worry. You need to eat something. Mrs. Blackwood has already asked for you at breakfast.”

Lena sat up slowly. “I… okay,” she whispered. Her voice felt fragile.

Clara moved to her side and poured warm water into a basin. “Here, wash your face. Take your time.” She brushed Lena’s hair gently. “You’re safe here, my lady. I promise. Things are different, yes, but you will adjust. You have me.”

Lena nodded silently. She allowed Clara to help her bathe. Every movement of Clara’s hands was careful and kind, making her feel slightly at ease. Lena looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her wedding ring caught the morning light. The gold band seemed heavy on her finger. She now belonged to two powerful men the Blackwood brothers.

Clara helped her dress in a simple, yet elegant outfit. “You look fine,” Clara said with a smile. “Don’t let them intimidate you. Your heart is stronger than you think.”

Lena’s thoughts drifted to Darius first. Calm, polite, and gentle. He made her feel a small warmth, a quiet comfort. Damian, on the other hand, was cold and commanding. There was no comfort in his presence, only power and control. She shivered slightly at the memory but did not say it aloud.

…

The dining room was wide and filled with the smell of fresh bread and coffee. Damian and Darius were already seated, both in dark suits that marked their authority.

Mrs. Blackwood sat at the head of the table, her posture stiff and proud. Grandmother Grace sat across from her, knitting quietly, her face soft but strong.

“Good morning, Mother. Grandmother,” Darius said politely.

Damian only gave a short nod. “Morning.”

Mrs. Blackwood turned her full attention to Damian and smiled. “You are always prepared, Damian. Your father would be proud.”

Then she glanced at Darius. “And you, I hope your fashion business doesn’t keep you too busy to visit home properly.”

Darius stayed calm. “I make time for family, Mother.”

Lena sat quietly beside him, lowering her eyes. She noticed the difference in their tones, the warmth in Darius’s calm voice, and the coldness in Damian’s prideful one.

Grandmother Grace reached out and lightly touched Lena’s hand. “Eat, child. You are safe here.”

Mrs. Blackwood’s lips thinned. “She must learn to follow the rules. The Blackwoods do not tolerate weakness.”

Grace’s tone was firm yet soft. “Compassion is not weakness. Remember that.”

The tension at the table was sharp. Damian sipped his coffee, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Standing quietly by the wall were two assistants:

Marcus, Damian’s assistant. Cold, calculating, and always alert.

Ethan, Darius’s assistant. Gentle, polite, and quietly protective.

Ethan gave Lena a small nod, which made her feel slightly safer. Marcus ignored her completely, his eyes scanning the room for anything out of order.

…

During breakfast, the conversation shifted briefly to the late Mr. Blackwood, their father.

“He would have been proud of you, Darius… if only we knew what really happened that night,” Grandmother Grace said quietly, her eyes clouded with sadness.

Mrs. Blackwood stiffened. “Mother…”

Lena’s curiosity piqued. She glanced at Darius. He didn’t say anything, but his jaw tightened slightly. She realized something was hidden. Something important about his father’s death.

She tried to focus on her food, but her mind wandered to the unknown.

While everyone ate in silence, the truth behind the family began to unfold in Darius’s thoughts.

After their father’s death three years ago, the will had split the empire.

Damian became Managing Director of King Motors, the Blackwood car company.

Darius received Velvet Crown, the fashion and beauty brand their father had built for him textiles, perfume, and luxury goods.

Velvet Crown grew faster than anyone expected. Its stores opened in Paris, Milan, and New York.

King Motors, however, struggled under Damian’s heavy hand.

The success burned in Damian’s chest like fire.

He hated that his younger brother was praised by the media as “the new Blackwood genius.”

When both brothers fell for the same woman Lena, the quiet girl from a simple background Damian saw a way to hurt Darius.

He used his power in the dark world of business and the underground mafia.

A message had reached Darius one night:

If you don’t agree to the shared contract, the girl dies.

Darius had no choice. He signed. He chose Lena’s life over his pride.

Lena never knew. She still believed it was a strange business deal she couldn’t refuse.

But deep down, Darius promised himself one thing he would protect her, even from his own brother.

Lena had never known this. To her, it was just a strange contract she had been forced to sign. She did not yet understand why the brothers were so determined.

And somewhere behind the secrets, another truth waited in the shadows:

their father’s death had never been fully explained.

Some whispered it was an accident.

Others believed someone inside the family had made it happen.

Damian avoided the topic completely.

And in the shadows, Damian’s true plan was growing, his jealousy burning quietly like fire.

…

After breakfast, Damian stood first.

“Marcus, prepare the car. The board meeting at King Motors starts soon,” he said, his tone sharp.

Mrs. Blackwood’s eyes shone with pride. “Show them who the real Blackwood is, Damian.”

Darius rose as well. “Ethan, we need to prepare for the design meeting at Velvet Crown. The Paris branch is finalizing contracts today.”

Grandmother Grace smiled warmly at him. “You make me proud, Darius.”

Darius looked at Lena. “Take care of yourself. Clara will stay with you.”

Damian’s voice cut in, sharp and cold. “No need for sympathy, brother. She is a Blackwood now. She’ll adjust.”

They left the mansion, each carrying his own power and purpose.

At Velvet Crown, Darius reviewed contracts with Ethan. The fashion empire had grown beyond expectations luxury stores across Europe, high-end perfumes, cosmetics, and bespoke garments.

Meanwhile, Damian received a report from Marcus. His face darkened as he learned Velvet Crown had just closed a major international contract a success far greater than any of King Motors’ recent achievements.

His jaw clenched. Rage built in his chest. He could feel the fire of jealousy burning hotter than ever.

…

Later that afternoon, Clara knocked softly on Lena’s door.

“My lady, Grandmother Grace wishes to see you after lunch. She wants to talk about the Blackwood family,” Clara said kindly.

Lena’s eyes widened. “The family?” she asked softly.

Clara nodded. “Yes. She said you should know where you belong. Don’t worry. She is kind and gentle.”

Lena swallowed. She nodded slowly. “I’ll go. Thank you, Clara.”

Clara patted her hand. “Everything will be fine, my lady. You will see.”

Lena paused at the window. The garden glowed with sunlight, but a strange heaviness filled her chest. There were so many secrets here, and she felt she had only just begun to uncover the unknown.

…

Across town, Damian sat in his dark office at King Motors Group. Marcus stood silently beside him.

“Sir, Velvet Crown’s new contract just closed,” Marcus reported. “They’ve expanded to three more countries. It’s the biggest deal they’ve ever had.”

Damian’s eyes narrowed. His lips pressed into a thin line.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the report as if it burned his vision.

A low, dangerous smile curved his lips.

“Enjoy it while it lasts, little brother,” he muttered.

“Soon, Velvet Crown will wear my name.”