Chapter Nine: Mrs. Blackwood

AVA

The penthouse elevator seemed to climb forever. I clutched my single suitcase, everything I owned in the world fitting into one battered bag. Beside me, Liam stood perfectly still, checking his phone like he was conducting any other business transaction.

"Nervous?" he asked without looking up.

"Terrified," I answered honestly.

The elevator opened directly into his apartment, and I gasped despite myself. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city. Everything was pristine white and black, like living inside a magazine. The furniture looked too expensive to sit on.

"Welcome home," Liam said, though his tone suggested anything but warmth.

A woman in her fifties appeared from somewhere deeper in the apartment. She was tall, severe-looking, with gray hair pulled into a perfect bun.

"This is Mrs. Henderson, the head of household staff," Liam said. "She'll show you to your room and explain the daily schedule."

"Schedule?"

"Your new life requires structure, Ava. Mrs. Henderson will help you adjust."

Mrs. Henderson stepped forward with a clipboard. "Mrs. Blackwood, if you'll follow me."

The title made me flinch. Mrs. Blackwood. Three hours ago I'd been Ava Parker, struggling single mother. Now I was someone else entirely.

"Where's Eli?" I asked as we walked down a long hallway.

"Master Eli is with his nanny in the nursery," Mrs. Henderson said. "You'll see him after you've settled in."

My room was larger than my entire old apartment. A king-sized bed dominated the space, flanked by matching nightstands that probably cost more than my car. A walk-in closet stretched beyond what I could see.

"Mr. Blackwood has arranged for a complete wardrobe," Mrs. Henderson said, opening the closet doors.

I stared in shock. Dozens of dresses, suits, casual wear, all in my size. Shoes lined the bottom shelves. Everything looked expensive and perfectly coordinated.

"How did he know my size?"

"Mr. Blackwood is very thorough." She handed me a thick folder. "This contains your daily schedule, household rules, and expectations for your role as Mrs. Blackwood."

I opened the folder and started reading. "Breakfast at seven-thirty. Personal trainer at nine. Lunch at noon. Charity committee meeting at two." I looked up. "This is my schedule?"

"Mr. Blackwood believes structure is important. You have appointments with a stylist, etiquette coach, and language tutor throughout the week."

"Language tutor?"

"French. All of Mr. Blackwood's associates speak multiple languages. You'll need to catch up."

I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. "What if I don't want French lessons?"

Mrs. Henderson's expression didn't change. "That wouldn't be advisable, Mrs. Blackwood."

After she left, I sat on the impossibly soft bed and read through the entire folder. Every minute of my day was planned. When to eat, what to wear, where to go. There was even a section on acceptable topics of conversation at social events.

A soft knock interrupted my reading. "Come in."

Liam entered, having changed into dark jeans and a sweater that probably cost more than I used to make in a month. He looked more relaxed, but his eyes were still cold.

"How are you settling in?"

"It's overwhelming," I admitted.

"You'll adjust. Most people would kill for this lifestyle."

"I'm not most people."

"No, you're my wife now. That comes with certain responsibilities." He moved to the window, looking out at the city lights. "There's a charity gala tomorrow night. Our first public appearance as a married couple."

"Tomorrow? That's not much notice."

"Mrs. Henderson will ensure you're prepared. The stylist will be here in the morning."

"Liam." I stood up, needing to address what was really important. "When can I see Eli?"

"After dinner. He should be finishing his bath about now."

I followed him down another hallway, past several closed doors, until we reached a room painted in soft blues and whites. Child-sized furniture filled the space, along with more toys than I'd ever seen in one place.

A young woman in scrubs was drying Eli's hair with a fluffy towel. He was giggling at something she'd said, looking content and clean and well-cared for.

"Elena, this is Mrs. Blackwood," Liam said. "Eli's mother."

Elena looked up with a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Of course. Hello, Mrs. Blackwood."

"Just Ava is fine," I said, moving toward my son.

Eli looked up when he heard my voice. For a moment, his face lit up with recognition. "Mama!"

My heart soared as he ran to me, wrapping his little arms around my legs. I knelt down and hugged him tight, breathing in his clean, baby-shampoo scent.

"I missed you so much, sweetheart," I whispered.

"Mama stay?" he asked, looking up at me with those familiar gray eyes.

"Yes, baby. Mama's going to stay."

But even as I held him, I could feel the distance. He was happy to see me, but there was a hesitation that hadn't been there before. A week away from me had changed something.

"It's bedtime now," Elena said after a few minutes. "Master Eli needs his sleep."

"I'll put him to bed," I said, standing with Eli in my arms.

"That's not necessary," Elena replied. "I have his routine down perfectly."

"I'm his mother."

"Elena is trained in child development," Liam said quietly. "She knows what's best for Eli's sleep schedule."

I looked between them, feeling outnumbered. "I used to put him to bed every night."

"And now Elena does. She's very good at it."

I set Eli down, my heart breaking as he immediately went to Elena instead of clinging to me. She lifted him easily, carrying him toward his crib.

"Night-night, Mama," Eli called over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," I managed.

In the hallway, Liam turned to me. "You'll see him tomorrow. Elena will bring him to breakfast."

"Why can't I just take care of him myself?"

"Because you don't know how to take care of a child properly. Elena has degrees in early childhood development. She knows about nutrition, sleep schedules, developmental milestones."

"I'm his mother!"

"And now he has professional care. You should be grateful."

I stared at him, this stranger I'd married for my son's sake. "Is this how it's going to be? You control every aspect of his life?"

"I'm ensuring he has the best of everything. That includes the best childcare."

That night, I lay in my enormous bed staring at the ceiling. Down the hall, my son was sleeping in a room that looked like something from a catalog, being cared for by a woman with degrees and credentials and everything I lacked.

The next evening, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror barely recognizing myself. The stylist had transformed me into someone elegant and polished. My hair was swept into a sophisticated updo, my makeup flawless, my dress a stunning black number that hugged my curves perfectly.

"You look beautiful," Liam said when I met him in the living room.

"I look like someone else."

"You look like Mrs. Blackwood."

The charity gala was held in the ballroom of the city's most exclusive hotel. Champagne flowed freely, and everyone seemed to know everyone else. I stayed close to Liam, smiling when introduced, making polite conversation about things I knew nothing about.

"You're doing well," he murmured during a quiet moment.

"I feel like I'm wearing a costume."

"You'll get used to it."

I was sipping champagne and trying to follow a conversation about art investments when I saw her. A stunning blonde woman in a red dress that probably cost more than a car. She moved through the crowd with confidence, heading straight for us.

"Liam, darling!" she called out, her voice carrying across the room.

I felt Liam tense beside me, but his expression remained neutral.

The woman reached us and immediately put her hand on Liam's chest, leaning in to kiss his cheek. The gesture was intimate, familiar, and possessive.

"Victoria," Liam said. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight."

"You know I never miss the Hamilton Foundation gala." Her eyes moved to me, cool and assessing. "And this must be the new wife I've been hearing so much about."

"Ava, this is Victoria Sterling," Liam said. "Victoria, my wife, Ava."

Victoria extended a perfectly manicured hand. "How lovely to finally meet you, dear. Liam and I are very close friends."

The way she said "close friends" made it clear she meant something entirely different.

"Nice to meet you," I managed.

"Oh, Liam," Victoria continued, keeping her hand on his arm. "We really must catch up properly. It's been far too long since we've had a chance to... talk."

I looked at my husband, waiting for him to step away from her touch, to introduce me as more than just "the new wife." Instead, he smiled at Victoria with more warmth than I'd ever seen him show me.

"Of course," he said. "Perhaps we can arrange dinner soon."

Victoria's smile was triumphant as she looked at me. "Perfect. I have so much to tell you about what you've missed.”