Married to my father's enemy

The first time I met my husband, he didn't even look at me.

Rain hammered against the windows as Richard's car climbed the winding road to Blackwood Manor. I sat in the back seat with my fingers wrapped tightly around the marriage contract resting on my lap, trying to convince myself that this wasn't completely insane.

Outside, the city faded away, replaced by towering trees and iron gates that reminded me about my new identity.

The iron gates creaked open, revealing the estate beyond. The Blackwood Manor wasn't a house, it was a kingdom. 

Stone walls rose into the darkness, towering windows glowed with golden light, fountains lined the driveway, their water shimmering beneath the rain. The mansion sat at the top of the hill like a dark crown, watching over the city below with silent authority.

I turned to Richard. "Do people actually live here?"

He smiled faintly. "Some survive it better than others."

That wasn't comforting. The car rolled to a stop beneath the grand entrance, a servant opened my door, and cold air rushed over me. For a moment, I couldn't move.

"Mrs. Bennett?" Richard asked gently.

I swallowed hard and stepped out into the rain. Then I saw him.

Ethan Blackwood stood beside the fireplace, dressed in a black suit with one hand tucked into his pocket as he listened to an old lawyer shuffle papers.

He was taller than I expected and older too. He is handsome in a way I couldn't describe. He glanced at me for exactly two seconds before returning his attention to the lawyer.

The lawyer cleared his throat. "Miss Bennett, if you could sign here."

I looked around the empty room. "No guests?"

"No."

"No flowers? Priest?" I asked.

The lawyer shifted awkwardly. "No."

I laughed nervously. "Wow! Romance really is dead."

Richard coughed to hide a smile, Ethan didn't react and the lawyer slid the document toward me.

"Once both parties sign, the marriage becomes legally binding."

I stared at the paper, then slowly I picked up the pen, my hand shook as I signed my name.

Aria Bennett.

The lawyer passed the paper to Ethan and without hesitation, he signed beneath mine.

Ethan Blackwood.

The lawyer smiled. "Congratulations. You're officially husband and wife."

Ethan stood up immediately. "Richard, show her to her room."

I blinked. "Wait, that's it?"

He looked directly at me. "What exactly were you expecting?"

"I don't know, maybe an actual wedding?"

"This wasn't supposed to be one."

The words hit me like a slap but before I could respond, he turned and walked away. I stare at him, watching his broad shoulders disappear through a doorway at the far end of the room.

"Did my husband seriously leave ten seconds after marrying me?"

Richard sighed. "Mr. Blackwood isn't good with people."

"Clearly."

He picked up my suitcase and motioned toward the stairs. "Come with me."

The second floor was even more intimidating than the first. Portraits of people I'd never met lined the walls, watching me as Richard led me down a long hallway.

He stopped in front of a large white door. "This is your room."

I pushed the door open and froze. The bed alone was bigger than my apartment. Moonlight spilled through the windows illuminating shelves filled with books and furniture that looked too expensive to touch.

"This is a room?" I whispered.

Richard smiled. "Welcome to Blackwood Manor."

"Honestly, I'm afraid to sit on anything."

Richard handed me a cream-colored envelope. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to give you this."

I opened it and inside was a single sheet of paper.

Rules of Blackwood Manor.

Rule one: Never enter the west wing.

Rule two: Never ask questions about Isabella Blackwood.

Rule three: Never forget that this is a contract.

I looked up. "Your boss sounds like he escaped from a prison."

Richard actually laughed this time and then turned to leave.

"Wait!"

He stopped at the door. "Why did Ethan choose me?"

The old man's expression softened. "I'm afraid that's a question only he can answer."

Then I was alone. I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the ring on my finger. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through old pictures of my family.

There was one of my father teaching me how to ride a bicycle and another of my mother laughing in our tiny kitchen.

Tears burned behind my eyes. What would Dad say if he saw me now? Would he tell me I'd lost my mind? Probably.

My stomach growled, I was hungry. After wandering the mansion for nearly ten minutes, I eventually found the kitchen.

To my surprise, someone was already there. Ethan.

He stood by the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He looked up when he heard me enter and for several seconds, neither of us spoke.

I opened the refrigerator just to avoid the awkward silence.

"So..." I said finally. "Do you always marry strangers on random Tuesdays?"

He took a sip of coffee. "Only once."

"Good. I was worried this was a hobby." I grabbed a bottle of water. "You know, most people introduce themselves to their wives."

He placed the cup on the counter. "My name is Ethan."

"Wow. Incredible progress."

His eyes flickered toward me. "You're sarcastic."

I leaned against the counter. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask."

"Why me?"

His expression changed instantly. "You should get some sleep."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting."

He walked past me, close enough that I caught the scent of his cologne, something seductive and expensive. Then he disappeared from the kitchen, 

I stared after him. "What an unbelievably weird man."

"That," Richard's voice said from behind me, "is an understatement." 

I spun around to find the butler standing in the doorway, a knowing smile on his face. "You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

"My apologies. I came to check if you needed anything."

"Honestly? A guidebook would be nice. Or maybe a map. This place is like a maze."

Richard chuckled. "You get used to it."

I laughed awkwardly.

****

Sleep didn't come easily, the mansion was too quiet, the creak of the floorboards made me sit upright and every gust of wind made my heart race.

At around two in the morning, I gave up trying. I climbed out of bed and walked toward the window, the city lights glittered below the hill.

Somewhere out there, my mother was asleep in our tiny apartment, and somewhere out there, my father was missing.

And somehow, I was here, married to a stranger. A soft sound pulled me from my thoughts, the sound of a closing door.

I got out of the room and the hallway outside was empty. But at the far end, I caught a glimpse of someone disappearing around the corner.

It was Ethan. Curiosity sparked inside me and I quietly followed. He stopped in front of a black door hidden at the end of the corridor.

I hadn't noticed it before, then he slid a silver key into the lock. The sound echoed through the empty hallway but before he could open it, the floor beneath my foot creaked.

Ethan turned immediately, our eyes met and for a moment, neither of us moved. Then his gaze shifted from me to the door behind him.

"What are you doing out of bed?"

I crossed my arms. "I couldn't sleep."

"And following strangers through dark hallways seemed like a good solution?"

"You're not exactly a stranger anymore. We're married."

My eyes drifted to the door. "What's in there?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

"That answer is becoming your favorite."

"Maybe because you keep asking the wrong questions."

He unlocked the door and stepped inside, before closing it, he looked back at me.

"Go back to bed, Aria."

Then he shut the door. I stared at it for several seconds and that's when I noticed something on the floor. I picked it up, it was a photograph.

It was old and the edges worn with time. The picture showed a smiling woman with dark hair standing beside a teenage Ethan. On the back, written in faded ink, were three words.

'Find the truth.'

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind the door. The footsteps continued slowly and heavy, coming closer.

My heartbeat quickened and then, from the other side of the door, Ethan's voice cut through the silence. It sounded sharp and dangerously calm.

"Mrs. Blackwood."

I froze.

"If you're still standing there when I open this door..." The handle began to turn. "...you're going to regret it."