Sarah's POV
Eren's arm was draped possessively across my waist, his body a furnace of warmth as he slept beside me. His face, softened in slumber, seemed almost innocent, the sharp edges of his jawline relaxed, his lips parted slightly. In these moments, he was vulnerable, almost boyish—so far removed from the controlled, powerful man he was during the day.
But I couldn't sleep.
The ceiling above felt like an unyielding canvas, and my thoughts painted vivid, restless patterns on it. Axel's words echoed in my head, a dissonant chord I couldn't shake.
"Eren's not who you think he is."
The intensity in Axel's eyes when he said it was seared into my memory. There was no trace of his usual teasing or smugness. Instead, there was something darker. A certainty, a weight of knowledge he seemed desperate to share but bound by some invisible restraint.
I turned my head to look at Eren. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his features unmarred by whatever darkness Axel hinted at. How could this man, who held me so gently, be hiding anything? He was attentive, protective—devoted. Every touch, every whispered word spoke of love.
Didn't it?
Beside me, Eren stirred. His grip around my waist tightened as he pulled me closer, his lips brushing the bare skin of my shoulder. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down my spine.
"Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood," he murmured, his voice a low rumble still heavy with sleep.
"Good morning," I whispered back, forcing a smile as I turned to meet his gaze.
His dark eyes searched mine, their depth pulling me in. For a moment, I thought he could see the turmoil swirling within me. "You're quiet this morning," he said softly, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "What's on your mind?"
I hesitated, my heart pounding. The words were there, sitting on the edge of my tongue: Axel said you're hiding something. Is it true? But the weight of our fragile peace pressed against me, silencing the question.
"Just tired," I lied, letting the excuse slip through my lips.
Eren studied me for a beat longer, his gaze heavy with concern. But he didn't push. Instead, he leaned in, capturing my lips in a slow, lingering kiss. His mouth was warm, his touch tender yet possessive, as if he could kiss away whatever was troubling me.
---
The day unfolded in a blur of vibrant colors and bustling sounds. Eren had arranged for us to explore the local markets, a labyrinth of stalls overflowing with exotic spices, vibrant textiles, and glittering trinkets. The air was rich with the scent of roasted coffee and freshly baked bread, a sensory overload that should have been exhilarating.
But even as I wandered through the market, my hand securely clasped in Eren's, a shadow of unease lingered.
At one stall, Eren picked up a delicate bracelet adorned with tiny sapphire stones. "It matches your eyes," he said, his smile warm as he fastened it around my wrist.
"It's beautiful," I said, trying to muster genuine enthusiasm.
His smile deepened, and he leaned in to kiss my forehead. Yet even his affection couldn't dispel the gnawing tension in my chest. My gaze flickered around the crowd, half-expecting to see Axel lurking in the shadows.
But the shadows held only strangers.
---
The rooftop restaurant Eren chose for dinner was stunning, its open terrace offering a breathtaking view of the city's skyline, now bathed in twilight. Soft music played in the background, mingling with the gentle clinking of glasses and murmured conversations. The breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine, wrapping around us like a silken veil.
Eren, ever the charmer, had spared no expense. A bottle of aged wine sat between us, its deep red hue glowing in the candlelight. The dishes were a feast for the senses, each bite a delicate balance of flavors that should have been savored.
But my appetite was dulled by the creeping sensation that we weren't alone.
It started as a whisper of intuition, a slight prickling at the nape of my neck. The feeling grew, settling like a weight between my shoulders.
"Sarah?" Eren's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?"
I blinked, realizing I'd been staring at my barely touched plate. "Sorry," I said quickly. "I'm fine."
His brow furrowed, his hand reaching across the table to cover mine. His touch was grounding, a tether to reality. "You've been saying that a lot lately," he said gently. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
The concern in his eyes was genuine, and for a moment, I felt the urge to confide in him, to share the unease that Axel had planted. But the memory of Axel's warning stopped me.
"I'm fine," I repeated, offering him a reassuring smile.
He didn't look convinced, but he let it go, his lips curving into a small smile as he shifted the conversation to lighter topics.
---
Axel's POV
From the shadows of the bar, I watched them.
They were the epitome of a perfect couple, leaning into each other under the soft glow of candlelight. Eren's charm was on full display, his laughter rich and effortless as he wove his tales. To anyone else, they would have seemed unbreakable, an image of newlywed bliss.
But I knew better.
Their perfect world was a house of cards, and I was the gust of wind poised to bring it crashing down. Eren's lies were woven into every fiber of their relationship, a dark thread that would unravel everything the moment Sarah discovered the truth.
I took a slow sip of my whiskey, the liquid burning its way down my throat. I shouldn't be here, shouldn't be watching them. It was a dangerous game I played, one that promised nothing but destruction.
But I couldn't stay away.
Sarah was a magnet, drawing me in despite the inevitability of the pain it would cause. She didn't belong in Eren's world of deceit and manipulation. She deserved someone who could offer her honesty, a love untainted by shadows.
She deserved me.
When Eren's phone buzzed and he excused himself, I knew my moment had come.
Setting my glass down, I stood and crossed the terrace, my heart pounding with each step.
"Sarah," I said, my voice steady and calm as I approached her table.
She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. "Axel?"
I smiled, sliding my hands into my pockets as I stopped beside her. "Fancy running into you two here."
Her expression shifted, a mix of confusion and caution. "What are you doing here?"
"Enjoying the city," I said lightly. "Though I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
She glanced toward the direction Eren had gone, her unease evident. "Eren will be back any moment."
"Good," I said, stepping closer. "I'd hate to miss him. But it's you I wanted to talk to."
Her brows furrowed. "Why?"
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Because there are things about Eren—about our family—that you don't know."
Her grip on her glass tightened, her eyes searching mine. "Axel, what are you talking about?"
Before I could answer, Eren's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Axel."
I straightened, turning to meet his stormy gaze.
"Eren," I said smoothly, my smile unfaltering. "I was just catching up with your wife."
Eren closed the distance between us in two quick strides, his hand resting on Sarah's shoulder in a gesture that was as protective as it was possessive. "I told you to stay away from her," he said, his voice low and menacing.
"And I told you," I replied evenly, "that secrets have a way of coming to light."
Sarah's gaze darted between us, confusion and growing fear etched into her features. "Eren, what's going on?"
"Nothing," Eren said quickly, his grip on her shoulder tightening. "Axel was just leaving."
I held his gaze for a moment longer, then stepped back, my smile cool. "Enjoy your evening," I said, my voice laced with unspoken promises.
As I walked away, I could feel Eren's fury trailing after me. But it wasn't his anger that lingered in my mind.
It was the doubt I'd seen in Sarah's eyes—the seed I'd planted, now beginning to take root.