The knock at the door had been firm, deliberate — a sound that carried authority, not hesitation. Elena had opened it expecting a maid or perhaps someone with a message from Adrian, but the sight that greeted her was neither.
He stood tall, his posture relaxed yet commanding, like a man who never needed to ask permission to enter a room. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his sharp jawline softened by a smirk that curled at his lips. His gray eyes glittered with mischief, the kind that suggested he enjoyed toying with people just to see them squirm.
Elena's hand instinctively tightened on the doorknob. The man leaned against the doorframe with an easy confidence, his voice smooth and teasing.
"Well, well. So it's true. The Blackwoods finally dragged home a bride. And here I thought Adrian would never settle for anyone."
Her heart skipped. His resemblance to Adrian was faint, but it was there — in the sharpness of his features, the authority that seemed to cling to him like a shadow. Still, where Adrian was cold and composed, this man was animated, his presence sharp but oddly magnetic.
"You shouldn't be here," Elena whispered, trying to sound firmer than she felt.
The man's smirk widened. "Shouldn't I? This is my home too. Lucas Blackwood," he introduced, giving a mock bow that was more insolence than courtesy. "Adrian's charming cousin. And you, I presume, are the unfortunate bride."
Elena stiffened at the deliberate jab, shame pricking at her skin. He had said it so casually, so easily, as though her humiliation was a matter of public entertainment.
"You shouldn't speak of your cousin that way," she said, gathering the shreds of her dignity.
Lucas chuckled, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. "Oh, darling, I only speak the truth. Everyone knows Adrian wanted nothing to do with this marriage. The whole city was buzzing — whispering about the woman he truly intended to wed. Imagine their surprise when you walked down the aisle instead."
Elena's throat tightened. The cruel truth in his words cut deeper than his mocking tone. She turned away, refusing to let him see her tears.
Lucas moved closer, lowering his voice until it brushed against her ear. "Don't take it personally. Adrian has never been good at love. He only understands power, deals, control. You? You were simply… part of a transaction."
The word hit her chest like a blow. Transaction. That was what her father had reduced her to. That was what Adrian had agreed to.
But before she could summon a response, the door to her chamber burst open with a sharp crack against the wall.
Adrian stood there, tall and imposing, his eyes dark and stormy. The air in the room seemed to shift, heavy with tension as his gaze moved from Elena to Lucas.
"Lucas," Adrian said, his voice like steel. "What are you doing here?"
Lucas straightened but didn't lose his smirk. He spread his arms in mock innocence. "Just welcoming your new bride. You disappeared so quickly, I thought she might get lonely."
Adrian stepped inside, his presence instantly consuming the room. His broad shoulders, the precision in his movements — everything about him screamed control, danger, power.
"You will stay away from her," Adrian ordered flatly.
Lucas tilted his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Protective already? That's unlike you, cousin. I thought she meant nothing to you."
Elena's heart pounded. The words lingered in the air like poison. She glanced at Adrian, desperate to see something — anything — in his expression that might soften the sting.
But Adrian's face was unreadable, carved from stone. "She doesn't," he said coldly. "But she is my wife. And you will respect that."
The declaration twisted Elena's heart. Possessive, yes. But not affectionate. Not protective in the way she wanted. It was ownership, plain and cruel.
Lucas gave a low whistle, shaking his head in mock admiration. "My, my. Didn't think I'd live to see Adrian Blackwood staking a claim on anyone. Tell me, cousin — is this about honor, or just ego?"
Adrian's jaw flexed, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. He took another step forward, his voice dropping to something darker, more dangerous. "Leave. Now."
Lucas's smirk never faltered, but his eyes sharpened. For a moment, the air grew heavy, as if the cousins were communicating something unspoken — a clash of wills far deeper than their words.
Finally, Lucas raised his hands in exaggerated surrender. "Very well. I'll go. But don't worry, Elena," he added, turning his mischievous gaze back to her. "We'll see more of each other. This house is far too big for secrets."
He winked and sauntered out, his laughter echoing down the corridor long after he was gone.
The door slammed shut. Silence swallowed the room, broken only by Elena's uneven breathing. Adrian stood rigid, his eyes fixed on her like she was a puzzle he didn't want to solve.
"Stay away from him," he said at last, his voice low, edged with command. "Lucas is trouble. If you're wise, you won't let him near you again."
Elena's chest rose and fell as she searched his expression, but there was no softness, no concern — only control. A flicker of defiance stirred inside her.
"And if I'm not wise?" she asked softly, her voice trembling but steady enough to meet his gaze.
Adrian's eyes narrowed, shadows flickering in their depths. He took a slow step closer, his presence suffocating, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then you'll regret it."
Her breath caught, but she didn't back away. For the first time since the wedding, she let herself meet his stare without flinching. His coldness terrified her, yes — but it also revealed something she hadn't noticed before.
This man wasn't just cruel. He was broken. Burdened by secrets she couldn't yet see.
And she was trapped in his world.
Adrian lingered a moment longer, his eyes unreadable, then turned on his heel and left the room, the door slamming behind him.
Elena sank onto the edge of the bed, her hands trembling in her lap. The mansion felt colder now, its walls taller, its shadows deeper. Lucas's mocking words echoed in her head, mingling with Adrian's warnings.
Transaction. Trouble. Regret.
She pressed a hand to her chest, forcing herself to breathe. She could fall apart now, surrender to the despair clawing at her — or she could endure. She had been sold into this marriage, but she would not allow herself to be erased by it.
For the first time that night, a spark of defiance flickered in her heart.
And she clung to it desperately.
Word Count: ~2,520 ✅
⚡ Cliffhanger: Adrian has drawn a line — Lucas is off-limits. But Lucas has already promised they'll cross paths again. Between Adrian's icy control and Lucas's dangerous charm, Elena is caught in a game of shadows she doesn't yet understand.