The Blackthorne estate was a fortress, built on power, secrets, and shadows. But even the strongest walls had cracks. And tonight, those cracks were beginning to show.
The air inside the grand estate was thick with anticipation. The previous day's revelations had left everyone on edge. Alexander had barely spoken since their moment in the bedroom, and Eleanor could feel the weight of his silence pressing down on them both.
But there was something more. A shift in the air.
And Eleanor knew.
Isla wasn't done yet.
---
A Deal with the Devil
In the heart of the estate, Isla moved like a queen in her domain. She had always played the long game, weaving herself into the Blackthorne legacy one move at a time. And now, she was ready to make her next move.
The study doors creaked open, revealing a figure waiting in the dim light. Richard Blackthorne.
Isla smirked. "You called for me, Uncle?"
Richard sipped his whiskey, his expression unreadable. "You've certainly stirred up quite the storm."
Isla stepped forward, placing the infamous letter on his desk. "I merely revealed the truth. You should be thanking me."
Richard let out a slow chuckle. "Oh, Isla. You always were ambitious." He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "But ambition without control is dangerous."
She tilted her head. "Then perhaps it's time I took control."
Richard's amusement flickered. "Is that what you think? That you're the rightful heir?"
Isla's smile didn't falter. "If Alexander is a fraud, then yes. The Blackthorne empire should be mine."
Richard studied her for a long moment before sighing. "You remind me of Luciana."
At the name of her mother, Isla stiffened.
Richard smirked. "She, too, thought she could outmaneuver me."
Isla's nails dug into her palm. "And where is she now?"
Richard chuckled darkly. "Exactly."
Isla's jaw tightened, but she forced herself to smile. "Perhaps. But unlike her, I don't make the mistake of underestimating my enemies."
Richard raised a brow. "So, tell me, Isla… what exactly do you want?"
Isla's smile sharpened. "To be queen."
---
A Game of Shadows
Eleanor sat in the dimly lit library, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the feeling that Isla was planning something bigger. Something worse.
She needed answers.
She traced her fingers over the spine of an old book, deep in thought, when she heard footsteps.
Alexander.
His presence filled the room before he even spoke. His expression was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes remained.
"Tell me what you're thinking," he said, his voice softer than she expected.
Eleanor turned to him. "I don't trust her."
His lips pressed into a thin line. "Neither do I."
She took a step closer. "She's not just after the throne. She wants to destroy you."
Alexander exhaled slowly. "She can try."
Eleanor placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "You don't have to face this alone."
His hand covered hers, warm and strong. "I never wanted to bring you into this mess."
Eleanor's gaze locked onto his. "I was never just an outsider, Alexander. I'm in this. With you."
His fingers brushed against her jaw, his touch softer than she expected. "Then we fight together."
But before Eleanor could respond, the doors to the library burst open.
And Isla stood there, her smirk in place.
"Apologies for interrupting your little moment," she drawled, stepping inside. "But I thought you both might want to see something."
She held up a sleek black envelope.
A chill ran down Eleanor's spine.
"What is that?" Alexander demanded.
Isla tossed the envelope onto the table. "An invitation."
Eleanor picked it up, her fingers trembling slightly as she read the inscription.
"To the esteemed heirs of the Blackthorne legacy, your presence is requested for an evening of truth and reckoning. The time has come to unveil what was hidden."
Alexander's eyes darkened. "Who sent this?"
Isla's smirk deepened. "The one person who knows everything."
Eleanor looked up sharply. "Who?"
Isla's voice was almost a whisper.
"Luciana Blackthorne."
The world seemed to tilt.
Alexander went rigid beside Eleanor. "That's impossible."
Isla shrugged. "Is it?"
Eleanor felt her pulse quicken. If Luciana Blackthorne—the woman everyone believed was long dead—was alive…
Then the game had just changed.
And no one was safe.
---
Next Chapter: The Queen's Gambit
The mysterious invitation leads Eleanor and Alexander to a hidden estate, where a figure from the past emerges from the shadows. But as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and betrayals strike deeper than ever before, Eleanor must decide—how far is she willing to go to protect the man she loves?