Chapter 3:The Blackwood Rules

The Blackwood Rules

The wedding ended twenty-three minutes later.

There was no kiss.

No celebration.

No champagne.

No smiling photographs.

Just a room full of people pretending they hadn’t witnessed one of the strangest weddings the Carter family had ever seen.

Lena stood beside Adrian as the officiant completed the ceremony.

When he finally said, “You may now be recognized as husband and wife,” Lena felt nothing.

Not happiness.

Not excitement.

Only exhaustion.

Adrian released her hand immediately.

“Come with me.”

She looked at him.

“Where?”

“My car.”

“I need to speak to my parents.”

“You’ve already done enough for them today.”

His tone wasn’t cruel, but it wasn’t gentle either.

Lena turned toward her mother.

Her mother rushed forward and hugged her.

For the first time all morning, Lena almost broke down.

“I’m sorry,” her mother whispered.

Lena held her tightly.

“I know.”

“I never wanted this for you.”

“I know.”

Her mother pulled back and touched her cheek.

“Please forgive me.”

Lena forced a small smile.

“Take care of Dad.”

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears.

Then Lena stepped away.

She didn’t look at her father.

She was afraid that if she did, she might change her mind.

Outside, a black car waited at the entrance.

Adrian opened the rear door.

Lena stopped.

“You’re not going to say anything?”

“About what?”

“About the fact that I’m being taken to your house like a prisoner.”

Adrian looked at her calmly.

“If you were a prisoner, you wouldn’t have a choice about getting into the car.”

She stared at him.

“You’re very irritating.”

“So I’ve been told.”

She climbed inside.

Adrian entered after her.

The door closed.

Silence filled the car.

For the first few minutes, neither of them spoke.

Lena stared through the window as the Carter estate disappeared behind them.

She had spent her entire life there.

And now she was leaving as someone’s wife.

A stranger’s wife.

She looked down at her hands.

Sophia’s wedding ring was still on her finger.

The ring felt strangely heavy.

“Why are you staring at it?”

Adrian’s voice broke the silence.

Lena looked at him.

“The ring.”

“What about it?”

“You’re wearing hers.”

Lena glanced at the diamond.

“I know.”

“Take it off.”

She frowned.

“Why?”

“Because it’s not yours.”

Lena slowly removed it.

Adrian held out his hand.

She placed it in his palm.

He studied it for a moment before putting it inside his jacket pocket.

“Where’s my ring?”

“You don’t have one.”

He looked at her.

“You’re right.”

“I didn’t exactly have time to prepare for my wedding.”

A faint expression crossed his face.

“Neither did I.”

Lena turned toward the window again.

After a moment, she asked, “How long have you known Sophia?”

“Three years.”

“And you trusted her?”

“No.”

The answer came so quickly that Lena looked at him.

“You didn’t?”

“I trusted the contract.”

“That sounds romantic.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be.”

She looked away.

Of course.

She had almost forgotten.

This marriage wasn’t about love.

It was business.

Adrian suddenly spoke again.

“Sophia and I barely knew each other.”

Lena frowned.

“But you agreed to marry her.”

“My family needed the Carter partnership.”

“So did mine.”

“Exactly.”

There was something strangely unsettling about hearing him say it.

For some reason, Lena had expected him to defend Sophia.

Instead, he sounded almost indifferent about her disappearance.

“You don’t seem very worried about her.”

Adrian’s expression changed.

“I am.”

“Then why don’t you look worried?”

“Because panic doesn’t help me find people.”

Lena studied him.

There was something about Adrian Blackwood that made it difficult to know what he was thinking.

His face gave nothing away.

Then he looked at her.

“You’re staring.”

“I was trying to figure you out.”

“And?”

“I’m still trying.”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“You won’t like what you find.”

The car became quiet again.

A few minutes later, the gates of the Blackwood estate appeared ahead.

Lena’s eyes widened.

The property was enormous.

Black iron gates opened automatically as the car approached. Beyond them stood a massive modern mansion surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens.

The house looked less like a home and more like a private hotel.

When the car stopped, several staff members were waiting.

Lena stepped out.

A woman in her fifties approached.

“Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood.”

Then she looked at Lena.

Her expression froze.

Adrian walked past her.

“This is Lena.”

The woman blinked.

“Mrs. Blackwood?”

“Yes.”

Lena almost winced at the title.

Adrian continued walking.

“Show her to the east wing.”

The woman nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

Lena followed her inside.

The moment Adrian disappeared down the hallway, the woman leaned closer.

“Mrs. Blackwood?”

“Yes?”

“Forgive me for asking, but…”

She hesitated.

“Where is Miss Sophia?”

Lena’s heart tightened.

“I don’t know.”

The woman’s face changed.

Before she could say anything else, Adrian’s voice came from behind them.

“That will be all, Mrs. Miller.”

The woman immediately straightened.

“Yes, sir.”

She walked away.

Lena turned toward Adrian.

“You could have let her answer.”

“She doesn’t need to know family matters.”

“She works here.”

“And?”

“And she probably knows Sophia better than you think.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

“What exactly are you suggesting?”

“Nothing.”

“Good.”

He stepped closer.

“Because from this moment forward, there are rules.”

Lena folded her arms.

“Rules?”

“Yes.”

He counted them on his fingers.

“First, you don’t enter my office.”

“Fine.”

“Second, you don’t discuss our marriage with the media.”

“Fine.”

“Third, you don’t bring anyone into this house without telling me.”

“Fine.”

“Fourth, you don’t interfere with my business.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“Good.”

He paused.

“Fifth, we maintain separate bedrooms.”

Lena raised an eyebrow.

“That one doesn’t sound like a problem.”

His expression remained serious.

“Sixth, when we’re in public, you will act like my wife.”

Lena stared at him.

“And when we’re alone?”

“You’ll remember that this is a contract.”

Something inside her tightened.

She nodded.

“Anything else?”

Adrian looked at her.

“Yes.”

His voice became quieter.

“If Sophia contacts you, you tell me.”

Lena’s heart skipped.

She looked away.

“I already told you. I don’t know where she is.”

“I know.”

“Then why keep repeating it?”

“Because I think you’re hiding something.”

Lena looked back at him.

She almost told him about the message.

Almost.

But Sophia’s words echoed in her mind.

Don’t let them find me.

So Lena lied.

“I have nothing to hide.”

Adrian studied her for several seconds.

Then he stepped aside.

“Welcome to Blackwood Manor, Lena.”

He walked away.

Lena watched him disappear.

Only when she was alone did she reach into the pocket of her dress.

Her fingers closed around her phone.

She opened her messages.

Sophia’s two texts were still there.

Don’t let them find me.

I’m sorry, Lena.

Lena stared at them.

Then another notification appeared.

Her breath caught.

It was from an unknown number.

You shouldn’t have married him.