Sarah's POV
The sunlight streamed through the curtains, a soft golden glow that heralded the start of a new day. I blinked against the light, slowly coming to awareness. My body felt heavy, a pleasant ache settling in after last night. Eren was still beside me, his arm draped protectively over my waist, his breaths deep and even.
I smiled as I turned to face him, studying the peaceful expression on his face. He looked so different in sleep—calm, vulnerable, almost boyish. It was a stark contrast to the confident, composed man the world knew.
Gently, I reached out and brushed a lock of dark hair from his forehead. As if sensing my touch, his eyes fluttered open, a sleepy grin spreading across his face.
"Morning, Mrs. Blackwood," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
"Morning," I replied, my cheeks warming at the sound of my new title.
He pulled me closer, his lips finding mine in a slow, languid kiss that reignited the butterflies in my stomach. For a moment, the world fell away, and it was just us, wrapped in the cocoon of our shared warmth.
But as the kiss deepened, a sharp knock on the door shattered the moment.
Eren groaned, his forehead dropping against mine. "Can't we have one morning of peace?"
I chuckled softly. "It's probably room service."
Reluctantly, Eren rolled out of bed, pulling on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt before heading to the door. I stayed in bed, wrapping the blanket around me and savoring the quiet moment.
But when Eren opened the door, his tone shifted.
"Axel? What the hell are you doing here?"
I froze, my heart skipping a beat.
Axel?
I couldn't hear his response, but the low rumble of his voice sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly got out of bed, grabbing the nearest robe and tying it around me before stepping into the living area.
Axel stood in the doorway, his broad frame filling the space. He was dressed casually, but there was nothing casual about his demeanor. His sharp eyes flicked to me, and for a moment, his expression softened.
"Good morning, Sarah," he said smoothly.
I glanced at Eren, who was glaring at his brother.
"What are you doing here, Axel?" Eren demanded.
Axel raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "Is that any way to greet your brother? I thought I'd come by to congratulate you two properly. After all, I didn't get a chance to at the reception."
Eren crossed his arms, clearly not amused. "You couldn't wait until we were back home?"
Axel's gaze shifted to me again, and I felt a flush creep up my neck. "I figured it couldn't wait," he said cryptically.
Eren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Say whatever you came to say, and then leave."
Axel stepped further into the room, his presence overwhelming even in the spacious suite. He looked around, taking in the rose petals, the champagne, the unmade bed. His smirk widened.
"Looks like I interrupted something," he said, his tone teasing but with an undercurrent of something sharper.
Eren's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Axel?"
Axel's smirk disappeared, replaced by a more serious expression. "I just wanted to remind you of our family obligations," he said. "You may be on your honeymoon, but there are still matters that need your attention. Dad's been asking about the quarterly reports."
Eren sighed in frustration. "I'll handle it when I get back."
Axel nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he turned back to Eren. "See that you do. You know how he gets."
Eren didn't respond, his posture stiff with irritation.
With one last glance at me, Axel stepped back toward the door. "Enjoy your honeymoon," he said, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite place.
And then he was gone.
---
Eren shut the door with more force than necessary, his shoulders tense.
"I'm sorry about that," he said, turning to me with an apologetic look. "Axel has a way of ruining every moment."
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "It's okay. He didn't stay long."
Eren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "He always does this—poking his nose where it doesn't belong, trying to act like he's in charge. It's exhausting."
I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Let's not let him ruin today. This is our time, remember?"
Eren's expression softened, and he pulled me into a hug. "You're right. I'm sorry, Sarah. I don't want anything to take away from us."
I smiled against his chest, but Axel's presence lingered in my mind like a shadow.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of sightseeing and quiet moments. Eren and I explored the city, holding hands as we strolled through the cobblestone streets, stealing kisses in hidden corners. He was attentive, thoughtful, everything I could have hoped for in a husband.
But even in the happiest moments, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Axel's words echoed in my mind, along with the way he had looked at me this morning—like he knew something I didn't.
That night, as Eren and I lay tangled together in bed, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin, I found myself staring at the ceiling.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, his voice soft and drowsy.
I hesitated. "Nothing. Just… thinking about everything."
He propped himself up on one elbow, his brow furrowing. "Everything okay? You've seemed distracted today."
I forced a smile, brushing a hand over his cheek. "I'm fine. Just overwhelmed, I guess. It's been a big couple of days."
He studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Then he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"I love you, Sarah," he murmured.
"I love you too," I whispered, my heart aching with the weight of the words.
But as I lay there, listening to Eren's steady breaths as he drifted off to sleep, the unease in my chest refused to fade.
Axel's warning played on repeat in my mind: Nothing stays the same forever.
I didn't know what it meant, but I had a sinking feeling that my perfect new life was already beginning to unravel.