The Truth

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Seth stepped out, his polished shoes striking against the marble floor of the Blackwood Enterprises headquarters.

It's been a while since he'd stopped by the headquarters. After that announcement from a few days ago, he knew he needed a distraction.

The weight of his presence filled the hallway long before his voice did, the kind of aura that made assistants pause, secretaries hold their breath, and interns press themselves closer to the walls.

He had been absent for days since the gala. Rumors had already begun to circulate through all the branches of the Blackwood empire within and outside the country.

Some said the reclusive CEO had vanished in anger after the night’s revelations. Others said he had gone to settle matters in private and other far more ridiculous conclusions.

Now, as he strode toward his office in a three-piece black suit, the truth was simple: he was back, and every rumour about his ‘family issues’ was thrown right in the dust.

Dante stood the moment he saw him. He had been with him long enough to read his moods, but even he couldn’t decipher the storm brewing behind Seth's still expression.

“Mr. Blackwood,” he greeted softly, falling into step with him. “Welcome back. There are several meetings that…”

“Clear my morning,” Seth cut in. “I’ll call when I’m ready.”

“Yes, sir.”

The door to his private office opened but it wasn’t empty. Arian was already there. He was standing by the wall of glass, his eyes fixed on the city below in silence. He wasn't at the gala, and couldn't make it due to personal issues.

One he was yet to deal with. He knew Seth’s revelation to the world was heavy and his friend might need someone to talk to. But knowing Seth, Arian doubts his friend would open up to him.

“Took you long enough,” Arian said, pouring the amber liquid into a second glass. “I was starting to think you’d gone off to some private island to lick your wounds in peace.”

Seth closed the door behind him, expression unchanged. “And leave you here to drink through my collection?”

“You wound me,” Arian replied dryly, pushing the second glass toward him. “Come on. Sit. You look like hell, though I doubt anyone else would notice.”

Seth crossed the room within three strides, unbuttoning his jacket as he lowered himself into the chair opposite. He didn’t touch the drink, not yet. He leaned back, eyes fixed on the skyline, as if the city itself were daring him to speak.

Arian studied him. Best friend or not, Seth Blackwood wasn’t an easy man to read. He was the embodiment of self control and it was almost impossible to know what he's feeling.

“You're going to tell me what the hell happened?” Arian finally asked, voice steady. “I leave to attend to business for a day and I return to see the entire city turned upside down.”

Seth’s jaw tightened, his fingers drumming once against the armrest before stilling. He inhaled slowly.

“She’s my wife.”

“I’m very aware.” Arian teased.

Seth looked up from his desk and gestured to the chair across from him.

“Sit,” he said.

Arian sat, leaning back gently. He studied Seth with a look only a friend could manage: part annoyance, part admiration, part genuine worry.

“I return from my trip and the first thing I see is every paper screaming your name next to Rune Sterling’s. And Thea’s. Things went according to what you wanted, why the long face? Did something happen with Thea?”

Seth’s expression didn’t shift. “You already know the important part.”

“That you’re married to her?” Arian’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Yes, I know. I was there you dumbass. You just announced to the world that thea is your wife but something is clearly up.”

Arian continued. “What I don’t understand is how the entire Sterling clan is parading themselves as the wronged party. Rune especially. He’s playing the jilted fiancé to perfection.”

Seth leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. “They were engaged but never got married. He was someone Thea had to endure. Nothing more.”

“Endured,” Arian echoed. “That’s a heavy word.”

“Because that is exactly what it was.”

Arian studied him, the smile fading. “Something happened with Thea.”

Seth’s gaze sharpened, but he said nothing.

The silence stretched until Arian huffed.

“Fine. I’ll take that as confirmation. But here’s what I don’t get. If you two were already married, why is this a problem now? I don't understand what your misunderstanding is about..”

Seth’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped low. “Because she didn’t know.”

Arian frowned. “Didn’t know what?”

“Didn’t know who I was.”

The words landed like a stone dropped in still water. Arian blinked once. Twice. He leaned forward slowly, disbelief etched across his face. “I’m sorry, say that again.”

“She didn’t know I was Blackwood,” Seth said evenly. “When we married, she thought I was some stranger she had a one night stand with. Some random guy in elite society.”

Arian stared at him, at a rare loss for words. “You mean to tell me Thea married you without knowing you’re you? Without knowing she was marrying one of the most powerful men in the country?”

“Yes.”

A long silence followed. Then Arian laughed, sharp, bordering on manic. “Holy shit.” He shook his head, still grinning in disbelief. “Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. The one woman in this city who wasn’t trying to catch Blackwood by name and you went and married her.”

Seth’s lips twitched, though his eyes remained cold. “It changes nothing.”

“It changes everything,” Arian countered. “You realize what this means? All those tabloids painting her as some scheming witch…if they knew the truth, they’d choke on their own ink. She didn’t trap you. She didn’t plan this. She walked in blind and still chose you.”

There was something sharp in his tone, a mix of admiration and fear. Seth’s eyes narrowed with a new realisation. “She chose me..”

Arian leaned back, dragging a hand down his face. “Goodness. And now she’s the one being burned at the stake while Rune gets to cry betrayal. You know how ruthless those reporters can get! Does she even know how deep this fire runs?”

“She will,” Seth said.

“Not good enough.” Arian’s voice was hard. “You can handle reputational warfare. She can’t. She’s not built for this world, Seth. I like her. Hell, I like her more than any of the women you’ve entertained before. She's different. Hell, she has no clue who you were!”

“She knows now.” Seth said simply.

Arian studied him long and hard. Then he exhaled. “You really mean to put her through that trial by fire.”

Seth’s gaze flinched to his.“I’ll stand with her.”

“And Rune?”

Seth’s expression hardened, the faintest flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. “I'll deal with him myself. Don't worry about that.”

Seth knew Runes better than he was supposed to. He knew that Runes was probably in his house cooking up another plan to ruin Thea's life for humiliating him.

He knew Runes wasn't the type to accept defeat honorably. He is patiently waiting for him to make his move only then would he finally strike.

Arian whistled low. “I almost pity him. Almost.”

He also knew Runes very well. Knowing that the bastard was going to strike soon enough. He didn't need to ask his friend if he had a plan in mind.

All he had to do was sit down and watch the entire thing play out to his satisfaction. Seth was definitely winning in this war.

“He’ll strike back,” Seth said.

“Oh, of course he will,” Arian replied. “But the problem isn’t Rune. It’s the media. They will drag Thea’s name through every ballroom, every charity event, every society page to filth. And then there’s the Sterlings PR. I'm sure they will twist this situation to favour their situation. You know how such narrative sticks.”

“Then I’ll change it,” Seth said calmly. Too calm.

“And how, exactly, do you intend to do that?”

“By showing them what happens when they underestimate me. Or her.”

Arian arched his brow. “You’re serious.”

“I always am.”

For a moment, the two men simply sat there, the hum of the city faint beyond the glass.

Finally, Arian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice softened, losing its edge.

“I like her, Seth. I like her for you. Which means I’m going to say this once: don’t let her drown in this. Don’t let your war with the Sterlings turn her into collateral. Because if she gets hurt in the process..”

Seth’s eyes flickered over to Aruan almost immediately. “I won't let that happen.”

Arian studied him, then nodded slowly. “If you say so.”

His only prayer is for Thea to remain safe and unscathed by this. But from the look on his friend's face, it is clear that Seth would do anything to protect Thea.

It was both a relief and somewhat a point of concern for Arian. Seth has no idea when to stop…