Chapter 3: The Rules of Being Mrs. Blackwood

The Blackwood estate looked less like a home and more like a palace. Elara sat stiffly in the limousine as the massive iron gates closed behind them with a heavy clang. The sound echoed across the long driveway like a final warning. There was no turning back now.

The car slowly rolled forward, passing perfectly trimmed gardens, marble fountains, and rows of tall trees lining the path. At the end of the drive stood the mansion itself—an enormous structure of stone and glass that seemed powerful, cold, and elegant all at once. Elara had seen luxurious houses before on television. But standing before one in real life made her feel small. Very small.

The car stopped. A line of uniformed staff stood outside the grand entrance as if they had been waiting. A butler stepped forward and opened Adrian’s door first. “Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood.” Adrian stepped out smoothly, adjusting his jacket. Then he turned and offered his hand to Elara. “Careful,” he said quietly.

She hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in his. His grip was steady as he helped her step out of the car. Immediately, every pair of eyes turned toward her. The staff bowed their heads respectfully. “Welcome home, Mrs. Blackwood.” The title still felt strange. Elara forced a small smile. “Thank you.”

Adrian’s hand moved lightly to the small of her back, guiding her toward the entrance. To anyone watching, the gesture looked affectionate. But Elara knew better. It was control.

Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking. A massive chandelier hung above the entrance hall, sparkling like captured starlight. Marble floors stretched beneath their feet, and a grand staircase curved upward toward the second floor. Everything looked expensive. Everything looked perfect. Everything looked intimidating. Adrian watched her quietly as she took it all in.

“Overwhelming?”

“A little,” she admitted.

He nodded. “You’ll get used to it.”

Something in his tone made her glance at him.

“You sound very sure.”

“I am.”

They walked further into the hall. The butler followed a few steps behind them.

“Mr. Blackwood, dinner will be served in one hour.”

“Thank you, Bernard.” The older man nodded respectfully before leaving. Elara exhaled slowly.

“This place is… huge.”

Adrian chuckled faintly. “That’s one word for it.” Then he turned to face her fully. “Before dinner, there are a few things we should discuss.” Her stomach tightened slightly.

“What things?”

“The rules.”

She blinked. “Rules?”

“Yes.” His expression was calm, but serious.

“If you’re going to live here as my wife, there are expectations.”

Elara crossed her arms slightly. “I didn’t realize this was a contract.”

“In a way,” Adrian said simply, “it is.”

She sighed softly. “Alright. Let’s hear them.”

Adrian began walking slowly through the hall, clearly expecting her to follow. “The first rule,” he said, “is simple.”

She kept pace beside him.

“You will continue to act as my wife in public.”

“That was already the plan.”

“Yes,” he agreed, “but now it’s official.” He stopped walking and looked at her. “No one can know the truth.”

Elara nodded. “I understand.”

“If the press discovers that my bride was switched on the wedding day, it would create a scandal.”

“And damage your reputation,” she added.

“Exactly.”

She hesitated before asking the question sitting in her mind. “Why didn’t you expose me?”

Adrian looked mildly amused. “You assume I wanted the original bride.”

“You didn’t?”

He shrugged. “I agreed to the marriage for business reasons.”

That answer surprised her. “So… it didn’t matter who the bride was?”

“Oh, it mattered.” His eyes darkened slightly. “But not in the way you think.”

Elara frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”

“You’ll learn eventually.” His mysterious answers were starting to frustrate her.

“Next rule,” he continued, “you are free to move anywhere in this house.”

“That’s generous.” “But,” he added calmly, “there are two places you must never enter.”

Her curiosity instantly sparked. “What places?”

“My private office.”

“Alright.”

“And the east wing.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What’s in the east wing?”

Adrian’s gaze hardened slightly. “Something that doesn’t concern you.” The answer only made her more curious.

But she nodded anyway. “Fine.”

“Third rule.”

He stepped closer. “You do not lie to me.”

Elara stared at him. “You’re serious?”

“Completely.”

“But our entire marriage started with a lie.”

“Yes.” His voice was calm.

“And that’s exactly why I don’t want another one.”

She considered his words. “That seems fair.”

“Good.” Adrian studied her face for a moment. Then he asked something unexpected. “Do you regret it?”

“Regret what?”

“Marrying me.”

The question caught her off guard. She thought carefully before answering. “I regret how it happened.”

“But?”

She looked at him honestly. “I don’t regret trying to protect my family.”

Adrian watched her quietly. Something thoughtful flickered in his eyes. “You’re different from your cousin.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

His lips curved faintly. “Because Lillian would have tried to manipulate me.”

Elara blinked. “You knew that too?”

“Of course.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “So you knew everything?”

“Almost everything.”

“That’s unfair.”

“How so?”

“You had all the information while I was completely in the dark.”

Adrian chuckled. “That’s usually how power works.” His honesty surprised her.

Before she could respond, another voice interrupted them. “Well, well.”

They both turned. A woman stood at the top of the staircase. Tall. Elegant. And clearly not pleased. Her sharp eyes focused on Elara.

“So this is the famous bride.”

Adrian’s expression hardened slightly. “Selena.”

The woman slowly walked down the stairs. Each step graceful. Confident. She stopped in front of Elara and examined her openly. “Hmm.”

Elara shifted slightly under the intense stare. “And you are?” Elara asked politely.

The woman smiled. But it wasn’t a friendly smile. “I’m Selena Blackwood.”

Elara’s stomach dropped. Adrian’s sister. Selena tilted her head slightly.

“You’re prettier than I expected.”

“Thank you,” Elara said carefully.

“But,” Selena added smoothly, “not quite the woman my brother was supposed to marry.” The room suddenly felt colder. Elara’s heart skipped.

Adrian’s voice turned sharp. “That’s enough.”

Selena ignored him. Her gaze remained fixed on Elara. “So tell me, dear sister-in-law…” Her smile grew slowly. “…who exactly are you?”

Elara felt the air leave her lungs. Because the one secret she was desperate to hide…might already be unraveling. And something told her Selena Blackwood was not the kind of woman who ignored secrets.