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Chapter 3: Entering the Blackwood Mansion
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2026-07-08 19:56:36Sophia Carter stared at the headline on her phone for the fifth time.
She still couldn't believe how quickly everything had changed. Yesterday, she was a struggling fashion designer trying to save her father's company. Today, the entire country knew her name. "Billionaire CEO Alexander Black Secretly Marries Unknown Woman." The article was everywhere. People were already creating rumors. Some said she was lucky. Some said she planned everything. Some said she was only after Alexander's money. Sophia put her phone down. She had expected attention. But she didn't expect hatred from people who didn't even know her. A knock came at the door. She opened it and saw three people standing outside. Two assistants and a driver. "Miss Carter." The woman in front smiled politely. "I'm Emily, Mr. Black's assistant. We are here to take you to the Blackwood Mansion." Sophia looked at the people behind her. "So soon?" "Mr. Black wants you to move in today." Sophia sighed. Of course. She had forgotten one important thing. She was no longer living her normal life. She was now Alexander Black's wife. Even if it was only a contract. --- The Blackwood Mansion was larger than Sophia imagined. As the car passed through the huge gates, she looked out the window silently. The property looked less like a home and more like a palace. A beautiful garden surrounded the mansion. A fountain stood in the center. Everything was perfect. Too perfect. Sophia had always believed homes showed the people who lived inside them. And this place felt lonely. When the car stopped, the door opened. A group of servants stood waiting. "Welcome, Mrs. Black." Sophia froze. Mrs. Black. She wasn't used to that name. She stepped out of the car. "I think there is a mistake." The servants looked confused. Sophia continued. "I am only here because of an agreement." The servants lowered their heads. "Yes, Mrs. Black." She knew correcting them was useless. Inside the mansion, everything was even more impressive. Paintings covered the walls. Expensive furniture filled the rooms. But despite all the beauty, Sophia noticed something. There were almost no personal items. No family pictures. No memories. It felt like nobody truly lived there. "Your room is upstairs." Emily led her through the hallway. Sophia stopped when she saw a large portrait. A young Alexander stood beside an older man. The older man looked familiar. "Who is that?" Emily followed her eyes. "That is Mr. Black's grandfather." "The man who made the marriage condition?" Emily nodded. Sophia looked at the portrait carefully. There was something strange. Alexander's grandfather wasn't smiling. He looked serious. Like he knew something. "Miss Carter..." Sophia turned. Emily looked nervous. "What?" "Be careful in this house." Sophia was surprised. "Why?" Emily quickly looked away. "I didn't say anything." Before Sophia could ask more questions, Emily walked away. Sophia stared after her. This house had too many secrets. --- That evening, Alexander returned. Sophia was sitting in the living room reading documents about Blackwood International. She looked up when he entered. For a moment, she forgot how intimidating he was. He looked exhausted. His tie was slightly loose. His cold expression was still there. But beneath it, she noticed something else. Tiredness. "You read company documents?" Alexander asked. Sophia closed the file. "I wanted to understand the world I entered." "Most people would spend their first day shopping." "I'm not most people." A small silence followed. Alexander walked closer. "I know." Sophia looked at him. Again, that strange feeling. The way he looked at her. Like he was remembering something. But couldn't reach it. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Alexander stopped. "Like what?" "Like you are trying to remember something." His expression changed. "I don't know." The honest answer surprised her. He looked away. "Sometimes when I am around you, things feel familiar." Sophia's heart moved slightly. "Maybe your memory is coming back." "Maybe." --- At dinner, they sat across from each other. The silence was uncomfortable. Sophia decided to break it. "So what happens now?" Alexander looked at her. "What do you mean?" "We are married. Everyone thinks we are a real couple. What is expected from me?" "Public appearances." "Anything else?" "No." Sophia nodded. "Good." Alexander studied her. "You are relieved?" "Shouldn't I be?" "Most women would want more." Sophia looked at him. "Most women probably want your money." "And you don't?" "No." "Why?" She placed her fork down. "Because money cannot buy respect." For some reason, those words affected him. Because he remembered someone saying something similar. A woman from his past. A woman whose face he couldn't remember. --- Later that night, Sophia couldn't sleep. She walked through the mansion, looking for the kitchen. As she passed Alexander's office, she noticed the door was slightly open. She didn't intend to enter. But then she heard voices. "...you made a mistake bringing her here." Sophia stopped. It was Victoria Blackwood. Alexander's stepmother. "I made my decision," Alexander replied. "You don't understand what she is." Sophia's heart raced. What she is? Victoria continued. "She is the daughter of the man who destroyed your family." Sophia froze. What? "My father?" Victoria's voice became colder. "Yes. And when Alexander remembers everything, he will hate you." Sophia covered her mouth. She stepped backward silently. Her mind was spinning. What was Victoria talking about? Her father destroyed the Blackwood family? That was impossible. Her father was a businessman, not a criminal. She returned to her room, but she couldn't calm down. Then her phone received a message. Unknown number. She opened it. There was only one sentence. "Ask Alexander why he married the daughter of his enemy." Sophia stared at the screen. For the first time, she wondered... Had she made the biggest mistake of her life by signing that contract?
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