The Blackwood Estate

The first thing I noticed about the Blackwood house was that it didn’t look like a house.

It looked like a place people wrote stories about.

The iron gates opened before Kian’s car even reached them, revealing a long stone driveway lined with old trees. Beyond them stood an enormous three-story mansion with tall windows, dark brick walls, and warm lights glowing behind the glass.

I stared through the passenger window.

“You didn’t mention your family lived in a castle.”

Kian laughed.

“It’s not a castle.”

“That’s exactly what someone who lives in a castle would say.”

He glanced at me, amused.

“You’ve been spending too much time with Mia.”

“She’s beginning to influence me.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

I smiled.

As the car came to a stop, I noticed several other vehicles parked near the entrance.

“So your parents invited other people?”

“It’s a family dinner.”

“That sounds suspiciously like there are a lot of people.”

Kian turned off the engine.

“There are.”

I looked at him.

“You could have warned me.”

“You would have worried.”

“I am worried.”

He laughed.

“Come on.”

He got out and walked around to my side before I could open the door.

When he offered his hand, I hesitated.

Then I took it.

His fingers closed around mine.

The contact was ordinary.

Completely ordinary.

Yet I became strangely aware of it.

Kian seemed to notice too.

For a brief moment, his expression changed.

Then he released my hand.

“Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We walked toward the entrance.

The doors opened before we reached them.

A woman in an elegant navy dress stood waiting.

She had dark hair, warm brown eyes, and a calm expression.

“Kian.”

“Mom.”

She hugged him before looking at me.

Her smile widened.

“And you must be Aria.”

I smiled politely.

“Yes.”

“I’m Elena Blackwood.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

She took my hand warmly.

“We’re glad you came.”

There was something reassuring about her.

She didn’t have the intimidating presence I’d expected from the Blackwood family.

Then a voice came from behind us.

“You’re late.”

Kael.

I turned.

He stood at the bottom of the staircase in a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.

His eyes moved from his brother to me.

For a second, he said nothing.

Then he looked at Kian.

“Seven was ten minutes ago.”

Kian shrugged.

“Traffic.”

“You live fifteen minutes away.”

“Then apparently traffic was very determined.”

I laughed.

Kael looked at me.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

He nodded.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned away.

I followed them inside.

⸻

Dinner was surprisingly comfortable.

The Blackwoods weren’t what I had expected.

There was Elena, who was warm and easy to talk to.

Kian, who somehow managed to make every conversation entertaining.

Kael, who spoke less but seemed to listen to everything.

And their father, Richard Blackwood.

He was a tall, distinguished man with silver beginning to show at his temples.

He shook my hand when we were introduced.

“Aria.”

His expression was polite.

But something about the way he looked at me made me uncomfortable.

Not because he was rude.

Because he seemed surprised.

Almost unsettled.

“Have we met before?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“No.”

He continued looking at me.

Then Elena touched his arm.

“Richard.”

He blinked.

“My apologies.”

He smiled.

“I must be mistaken.”

I returned the smile, but something about the exchange stayed with me.

Dinner continued.

We talked about university.

My studies.

Mia.

The city.

Eventually, Richard asked about my family.

“My mother raised me.”

The room became quieter.

“She’s not with us anymore,” I added.

Elena’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.”

Richard looked down at his plate.

For some reason, Kael noticed.

His eyes moved between his father and me.

“Let’s talk about something else.”

I looked at him.

He gave me a small nod.

I appreciated the change of subject.

After dinner, Elena asked me to join her in the sitting room while the twins helped clear the table.

“You seem very comfortable with them,” she said.

“With Kael and Kian?”

She smiled.

“Yes.”

I laughed.

“Kian is easy to talk to. Kael…”

“What about Kael?”

I hesitated.

“I’m still figuring him out.”

Elena smiled knowingly.

“Most people are.”

I looked at her.

“He’s always been quiet?”

“Since he was a child.”

“And Kian?”

“Never quiet.”

We both laughed.

Then Elena’s expression became thoughtful.

“They’re very different, but they’ve always been close.”

I nodded.

“I can tell.”

She studied me for a moment.

“You’ve made quite an impression on them.”

I nearly choked on my drink.

“What?”

She smiled.

“I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I don’t think I understand.”

“Neither do they, probably.”

Before I could ask what she meant, Kian appeared in the doorway.

“Mom, you’re making her nervous.”

“I’m doing no such thing.”

He looked at me.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

He smiled.

“Don’t be.”

Then he held out his hand.

“Come on.”

“Where?”

“I’m going to show you something.”

I followed him upstairs.

He led me through a long hallway before stopping in front of a large window overlooking the grounds.

The view was beautiful.

The estate stretched far beyond the gardens, with trees surrounding the property.

“You have a lot of land.”

“My family likes privacy.”

“I can see why.”

Kian leaned against the window frame.

“You really like it here?”

“It’s beautiful.”

He looked at me instead of the view.

“I wasn’t talking about the house.”

I met his eyes.

“What were you talking about?”

“You.”

My heart skipped.

Before I could answer, Kael appeared at the end of the hallway.

“Kian.”

Kian sighed.

“What now?”

“We should take her back.”

Kian glanced at me.

“Already?”

“It’s late.”

I checked my phone.

He was right.

I smiled.

“I should probably go.”

⸻

The drive back to campus was quieter than the journey there.

I watched the city lights through the window.

“Thank you,” I said.

Kian glanced at me.

“For what?”

“Tonight.”

“You enjoyed yourself?”

“I did.”

“I’m glad.”

When we reached the dormitory, he walked me to the entrance.

I turned toward him.

“Goodnight, Kian.”

“Goodnight, Aria.”

He hesitated.

Then smiled.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded.

He walked away.

I watched him disappear into the darkness before entering the building.

I didn’t notice the figure standing near the Blackwood estate window several miles away.

I didn’t hear Richard Blackwood’s quiet voice behind Kael.

“Where did she say she was from?”

Kael turned.

“Northbridge.”

Richard’s expression tightened.

“And her mother’s name?”

Kael was silent.

“We don’t know.”

Richard looked toward the driveway where Kian’s car had disappeared.

“Find out.”

Kael frowned.

“Why?”

His father didn’t answer immediately.

Then he said quietly,

“Because I’ve heard that name before.”

Kael stared at him.

“Aria Vale?”

Richard nodded.

“Years ago.”

And for the first time that evening, the easy smile disappeared from Kael’s face.

“Where?”

Richard looked toward the dark window.

“In a place neither of you remembers.”