Amelia woke up to the sound of rain softly tapping against the large windows of the Blackwood mansion. The stormy weather mirrored the turmoil in her heart. After discovering the photograph and confronting Lucas about it, she couldn't stop thinking about him. There was more to him than the cold, distant man he presented to the world. Beneath the layers of arrogance and secrecy, Amelia was starting to see glimpses of someone else someone who had once been capable of love and vulnerability.
She shook her head, trying to focus on the day ahead. The past week had been overwhelming, and Amelia had resolved to keep her distance from Lucas. But fate had other plans.
Later that morning, Amelia found herself in the kitchen. She had grown fond of spending time there, away from the prying eyes of Lucas's family. Mrs. Harris, the kind but guarded housekeeper, was bustling about, preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood," Mrs. Harris said with a polite smile.
"Good morning," Amelia replied, pouring herself a cup of tea. She was about to take a sip when Lucas walked in, his presence filling the room instantly.
"Morning," he said, his voice softer than usual.
Amelia glanced at him, surprised by his tone. "Morning," she replied, unsure of what to make of the change.
Lucas grabbed a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, his gaze fixed on the rain outside. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was awkward but not uncomfortable.
"I didn't think you'd be up this early," Lucas finally said, breaking the quiet.
"I couldn't sleep," Amelia admitted.
Lucas nodded, as though he understood. "The storm?"
"Something like that," she replied, avoiding his eyes.
Before the conversation could go any further, one of the maids entered, carrying a tray with fresh croissants. She tripped slightly, and the tray wobbled precariously. Without thinking, Amelia stepped forward to steady it.
"Careful!" she said, her hands quick to catch the tray.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You're faster than I thought."
Amelia smiled, a bit shyly. "I used to help my mom in the kitchen all the time. Reflexes, I guess."
Lucas chuckled—a rare sound that caught Amelia off guard. It wasn't mocking or cold, but warm and genuine. For a brief moment, the tension between them eased, replaced by something softer.
Later that day, Lucas invited Amelia to join him in the garden. It was a surprising gesture, one that left Amelia both curious and cautious. She wasn't sure what had prompted his sudden interest in spending time with her, but she decided to accept.
The garden was beautiful, even under the gray skies. Rows of roses and hedges created a maze-like design, and the scent of rain-soaked earth filled the air.
"This was my mother's favorite place," Lucas said as they walked along a stone path.
Amelia looked at him, surprised by the personal revelation. "It's lovely," she said. "You must have a lot of memories here."
Lucas nodded, his expression distant. "I do. She used to say that a garden reflects the state of one's soul. If it's well-tended, it shows peace and harmony. If it's neglected, it mirrors chaos."
Amelia thought about the garden's perfect condition and what it might say about Lucas. "Then I guess your soul is doing just fine," she said with a small smile.
Lucas glanced at her, his lips twitching upward. "I wouldn't go that far."
They continued walking in silence until they reached a bench near a small fountain. Lucas sat down, motioning for Amelia to join him.
"I know this isn't what you signed up for," he said after a long pause.
Amelia turned to him, startled by his words. "What do you mean?"
"This marriage," Lucas said, his voice quiet. "It's not exactly a fairy tale, is it?"
Amelia laughed softly, though there was no humor in it. "No, it's not. But I'm managing."
Lucas looked at her, his gaze intense. "You've handled everything better than I expected. My family, the mansion, the... complications. Most people would have run by now."
"I'm not most people," Amelia said, meeting his eyes.
Lucas smiled faintly, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to change. It was as though the walls they had built around themselves were starting to crack, letting in tiny rays of light.
That evening, Amelia found herself thinking about Lucas more than she cared to admit. There was something about the way he had opened up to her, even just a little, that stayed with her. She was beginning to see a side of him that was vulnerable, human. It made her question everything she had assumed about him.
Lucas, too, was feeling the shift. As he sat in his study, staring at the photograph of Clara that he had tucked away in his drawer, he couldn't help but think about Amelia. She was nothing like Clara, yet she had a way of getting under his skin, making him feel things he hadn't felt in years.
The following day, Lucas invited Amelia to dinner a private meal in one of the smaller dining rooms. It was another unexpected gesture, and Amelia wasn't sure what to make of it.
The table was set beautifully, with candles and elegant china. Lucas was already seated when Amelia arrived, looking more relaxed than usual.
"I thought we could use a break from the chaos," he said, motioning for her to sit.
Amelia smiled nervously as she took her seat. "This is... nice. Thank you."
As the meal progressed, they talked about lighter topics—books, travel, even favorite foods. For the first time since their marriage, Amelia felt like she was getting to know Lucas as a person, not just the cold businessman.
By the end of the evening, Amelia found herself laughing at one of Lucas's stories—a rare and genuine moment of connection. Lucas watched her, a soft expression on his face.
"You should laugh more often," he said. "It suits you."
Amelia blushed, caught off guard by the compliment. "I'll try, if you promise to smile more."
Lucas chuckled. "Deal."
As Amelia went to bed that night, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Perhaps their marriage didn't have to be just a business arrangement. Perhaps, amidst all the secrets and challenges, there was a chance for something real to grow between them.
Lucas, too, was thinking about Amelia as he sat alone in the darkened library. For the first time in years, he felt a spark of warmth—something he thought he had lost forever. It scared him, but it also gave him a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time.
Unbeknownst to them both, the first sparks of something deeper had begun to ignite, setting the stage for a connection that would challenge everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
But just as Amelia was starting to believe in this fragile bond, her phone buzzed with a message that made her blood run cold. The sender was unknown, but the message was clear: "I know what you're planning. Stay away from him, or you won't like what happens next."
Her hand trembled as she stared at the screen, the weight of the warning settling in her chest.