The Blackwood Mansion had never looked more beautiful.

Thousands of white roses covered the estate like a blanket of snow.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead.

A live orchestra played soft music.

Luxury cars lined the driveway.

The wedding of billionaire heir Blackwood Edward and socialite Sophia Jose was already being called the event of the year.

Reporters crowded outside the gates.

Inside, everyone was smiling.

Well...

Almost everyone.

Debbie Jose stood in front of a mirror, trying to convince herself that wearing six-inch heels wasn't a form of torture.

She wobbled.

Nearly fell.

Caught herself.

Then glared at her reflection.

"Women have fought dragons, survived wars, and crossed oceans."

She adjusted her shoe.

"But whoever invented these heels deserves prison."

Her best friend Mia burst out laughing.

"You know normal people don't talk to themselves."

Debbie shrugged.

"Normal people aren't attending a billionaire wedding."

"Fair point."

Mia helped straighten Debbie's dress.

Unlike her older sister Sophia, Debbie had never enjoyed attention.

Sophia loved cameras.

Sophia loved parties.

Sophia loved being admired.

Debbie preferred books, coffee, and avoiding unnecessary human interaction.

Which was exactly why she was hiding upstairs while hundreds of guests celebrated downstairs.

Her phone suddenly buzzed.

SOPHIA.

Debbie smiled.

Finally.

Her sister had been impossible to reach all morning.

She opened the message.

Her smile disappeared instantly.

I'm sorry.

Three words.

Nothing else.

Debbie frowned.

"What kind of message is that?"

"What happened?" Mia asked.

Debbie showed her.

Mia's face paled.

"That's weird."

Very weird.

Debbie immediately called.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Again.

Straight to voicemail.

A strange feeling settled in her stomach.

Sophia never ignored her calls.

Never.

Not even when they were fighting.

Especially not on her wedding day.

"Maybe she's nervous."

Mia sounded unconvinced.

Debbie wasn't convinced either.

The church bells suddenly rang through the mansion.

The ceremony was about to begin.

Then came screaming.

Real screaming.

The kind that immediately tells you something has gone horribly wrong.

Debbie and Mia exchanged looks.

"Oh no."

"Oh no."

They sprinted downstairs.

Chaos greeted them.

Bridesmaids were crying.

Staff members were running in every direction.

The wedding planner looked seconds away from cardiac arrest.

"What happened?" Debbie asked.

Nobody answered.

Then she spotted her mother.

Her makeup was ruined.

Her eyes were red.

And she looked terrified.

Debbie's heart dropped.

"Mom?"

Her mother grabbed both of her shoulders.

"Sophia is gone."

The world stopped.

"What?"

"She's gone."

Debbie blinked.

"No."

"We searched everywhere."

"No."

"Her room is empty."

"No."

The word kept falling from Debbie's lips.

It couldn't be true.

Sophia wouldn't do this.

Would she?

The crowd suddenly parted.

A tall man emerged.

Black tuxedo.

Sharp jawline.

Stormy grey eyes.

Blackwood Edward.

The groom.

The billionaire.

The man who looked like he had personally declared war on happiness.

Silence swept across the room.

Even the orchestra stopped playing.

Edward looked calm.

Too calm.

The dangerous kind of calm.

The kind that comes right before an explosion.

"Everyone leave."

His voice was cold.

Nobody moved.

"Now."

Guests practically ran.

Within minutes only close family remained.

Debbie watched him.

For years she had heard stories about Blackwood Edward.

Brilliant businessman.

Young billionaire.

Heartbreaker.

Workaholic.

Intimidating.

Arrogant.

And annoyingly handsome.

Unfortunately, that last one was true.

Even while furious, the man looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine.

Life was unfair.

Edward held up his phone.

A message glowed on the screen.

I can't do this.

Don't look for me.

I'm sorry.

Sophia.

The room fell silent.

Debbie felt sick.

Sophia had run away.

On her wedding day.

From one of the richest men in the country.

Inside a mansion filled with reporters.

This wasn't a disaster.

This was a catastrophe.

Then came a voice.

A terrifying voice.

"Enough."

Everyone turned.

Eleanor Blackwood.

Edward's grandmother.

The true ruler of the Blackwood empire.

The woman could probably scare lions.

She slowly stood.

The room immediately obeyed.

Her sharp gaze landed on Debbie.

And stayed there.

Debbie suddenly felt like prey.

"Debbie Jose."

Uh-oh.

Nothing good ever followed being called by your full name.

"Yes?"

"Come here."

Debbie wanted to run.

Instead, she walked forward.

Eleanor studied her carefully.

Then smiled.

Which somehow felt even more dangerous.

"I have a solution."

Debbie immediately hated those words.

"What solution?"

Eleanor folded her hands.

"You will marry Edward."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Even the birds outside seemed shocked.

Debbie blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then pointed at herself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Debbie laughed.

Nobody joined her.

Her laughter slowly died.

"Oh."

They were serious.

Edward looked horrified.

"Grandmother."

"No."

Debbie raised a hand.

"No."

Eleanor ignored both of them.

"The media is outside."

"No."

"The shareholders are here."

"No."

"The family reputation is at stake."

"Still no."

Eleanor sighed.

"One year."

"What?"

"One year of marriage."

Debbie nearly choked.

Edward looked like he wanted to jump out a window.

"Absolutely not."

For the first time, Edward agreed with her.

"Absolutely not."

Debbie pointed at him.

"See? We finally agree on something."

Edward glared.

"I wasn't complimenting you."

"Oh, thank goodness. I was worried."

A few people accidentally laughed.

Even in the middle of a crisis.

Edward looked at her.

Really looked at her.

And for the first time, Debbie noticed something behind his anger.

Pain.

Real pain.

The woman he loved had abandoned him.

Humiliated him.

Broken him.

In front of the entire world.

Suddenly, Debbie didn't see a billionaire.

She saw a wounded man.

And for reasons she couldn't explain...

Her heart hurt for him.

The room waited.

The future hung in the balance.

Eleanor asked quietly,

"Will you do it?"

Debbie's pulse raced.

One answer.

One decision.

One impossible choice.

And her life would never be the same again.

She looked at Edward.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them wanted this.

Neither of them had chosen this.

Yet somehow destiny seemed to be pushing them toward each other.

Debbie swallowed.

Then opened her mouth.

"I..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

"I..."

Every eye in the room was fixed on Debbie.

Her heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear it.

She looked at her mother.

Then at Edward.

Then at Eleanor Blackwood.

The terrifying woman still looked completely calm, as though arranging emergency marriages was something she did every Tuesday.

Debbie swallowed.

"I'll do it."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Then chaos exploded.

"What?!"

Her mother nearly fainted.

Edward looked as though he'd just been sentenced to prison.

The wedding planner burst into tears.

This time they were tears of relief.

"Oh thank God!" she cried.

"I thought I was going to lose my job."

Debbie immediately regretted everything.

Everything.

Every decision that had brought her to this moment.

Especially saying yes.

Eleanor smiled.

"Excellent."

Debbie narrowed her eyes.

Why was that woman so happy?

That couldn't be healthy.

Meanwhile, Edward looked ready to argue.

But after a long moment, he sighed.

The fight left his shoulders.

"Fine."

That one word changed everything.

Within minutes the wedding planner transformed into a military commander.

"Move! Move! Move!"

People ran in every direction.

Hair stylists.

Photographers.

Makeup artists.

Florists.

At one point Debbie was fairly certain she saw someone carrying a swan.

Why there was a swan inside a mansion remained a mystery.

Before she could ask, someone grabbed her arm.

"Come with me."

She turned.

Edward.

Still devastatingly handsome.

Still annoyingly serious.

Still looking like he'd rather wrestle a bear than get married.

Debbie followed him upstairs.

The moment they entered a private study, Edward shut the door.

Silence filled the room.

Neither spoke.

Neither knew what to say.

Finally, Debbie broke first.

"This is weird."

Edward stared.

"Very weird."

Still nothing.

Debbie sighed.

"Okay, this is the part where you say something."

"What exactly would you like me to say?"

"Oh, I don't know."

She folded her arms.

"Maybe 'thank you for saving my family's reputation.'"

Edward blinked.

"Thank you."

Debbie wasn't expecting him to actually say it.

For the first time, his expression softened.

Just slightly.

"I know this isn't what you wanted."

The honesty surprised her.

"It wasn't exactly on my vision board."

A small smile appeared.

It vanished quickly.

But she saw it.

Interesting.

Mr. Ice Billionaire could smile.

Good to know.

Edward walked toward the window.

"The marriage doesn't have to be complicated."

That sounded suspicious.

"What does that mean?"

He turned.

"It means we'll get married."

Debbie nodded.

"Okay."

"We'll stay married for one year."

"Okay."

"We'll respect each other."

"Reasonable."

"No emotional expectations."

Debbie blinked.

"What?"

"No romantic expectations."

Her eyebrows rose.

"No romance?"

"No."

"No kissing?"

Edward nearly choked.

"What?"

"I'm clarifying the rules."

His jaw tightened.

"No kissing."

"No flirting?"

"No."

"No accidental falling in love?"

Edward looked horrified.

"Definitely not."

Debbie burst out laughing.

For the first time that day, a genuine laugh.

To her surprise, Edward's lips twitched.

The man was fighting a smile.

And losing.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

A knock interrupted them.

The wedding planner entered.

"The ceremony starts in ten minutes."

Reality crashed back.

The wedding.

The marriage.

The life-changing decision.

Suddenly Debbie felt terrified.

The planner handed her a bouquet.

"You need to get dressed."

Debbie nodded slowly.

As the woman left, she turned toward Edward.

Something vulnerable flickered across his face.

Fear.

The same fear she felt.

For a moment they were no longer strangers.

They were simply two people standing on the edge of a cliff.

About to jump.

Together.

***

Thirty minutes later.

The music began.

Guests stood.

Phones appeared.

Cameras flashed.

Debbie's hands shook.

She stared down the aisle.

At the end stood Edward.

Tall.

Handsome.

Waiting.

Not for Sophia.

For her.

The realization nearly knocked the air from her lungs.

This wasn't a dream.

This was really happening.

The doors opened.

The orchestra swelled.

And Debbie started walking.

Every step felt unreal.

Every face blurred.

Only Edward remained clear.

His gaze never left hers.

When she finally reached him, something strange happened.

Her nerves settled.

Just a little.

As though somehow...

He understood exactly how scared she was.

The officiant began speaking.

The words washed over her.

Love.

Commitment.

Marriage.

Forever.

The irony was almost funny.

Then came the vows.

Edward looked at her.

For a brief second, the cold billionaire disappeared.

In his place stood a wounded man trying his best to survive a terrible day.

"I promise honesty."

His voice was steady.

"I promise respect."

Debbie's chest tightened.

"And I promise that no matter what happens, I will never intentionally hurt you."

The words felt real.

Painfully real.

When her turn came, she swallowed hard.

"I promise honesty too."

Her voice trembled.

"I promise respect."

She paused.

Then smiled slightly.

"And I promise not to spill coffee on your expensive suits."

A few guests laughed.

Even Edward looked amused.

The tension eased.

Just enough.

Then came the moment.

The moment neither of them expected.

"Husband and wife."

The room erupted into applause.

Debbie stared.

Edward stared.

They were married.

Actually married.

To each other.

The realization was terrifying.

And strangely exciting.

***

That night.

The mansion was finally quiet.

The guests were gone.

The reporters were gone.

The celebrations were over.

Debbie stood outside the master bedroom.

Frozen.

This was awkward.

Very awkward.

Inside waited her husband.

The word still felt ridiculous.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.

Edward looked up from his laptop.

Neither spoke.

The silence stretched.

Finally Debbie pointed.

"The couch?"

Edward nodded.

"The couch."

"Good."

"Good."

Another silence.

Then she noticed a document on the table.

"What is that?"

"A list."

"A list of what?"

"House rules."

Debbie laughed.

"No."

Edward slid it toward her.

She looked down.

Rule 1: Respect privacy.

Rule 2: Knock before entering.

Rule 3: No discussing Sophia.

Rule 4—

Debbie suddenly burst out laughing.

Coffee slipped from her hand.

The entire cup spilled directly onto the document.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Debbie stared.

Edward stared.

The paper dripped coffee.

For one terrifying second she thought he might fire her.

Or divorce her.

Or both.

Then unexpectedly—

Edward laughed.

A real laugh.

Deep.

Warm.

Genuine.

The sound shocked them both.

Debbie couldn't stop smiling.

And for the first time since the wedding disaster began...

Neither of them felt quite so miserable.

Unfortunately, the peace didn't last.

Because at that exact moment, Debbie's phone vibrated.

A text message.

Unknown Number.

Her smile faded.

Slowly she opened it.

Three words appeared on the screen.

I made the right choice.

Below the message was a photo.

Sophia.

Alive.

Smiling.

Standing beside an unknown man.

Debbie's blood ran cold.

Sophia had disappeared willingly.

And she wasn't coming back.

To Be Continued...

Debbie barely slept.

Not because of her new husband.

Not because she was living inside one of the most luxurious mansions in the country.

And definitely not because she was suddenly Mrs. Blackwood.

No.

She couldn't sleep because of Sophia's message.

I made the right choice.

The words replayed in her head all night.

What right choice?

Running away?

Abandoning her family?

Humiliating Edward?

Leaving Debbie to deal with the aftermath?

None of it made sense.

Debbie tossed and turned.

Eventually she gave up.

At five-thirty in the morning, she climbed out of bed.

The mansion was quiet.

Too quiet.

Like the kind of quiet rich people paid for.

She walked downstairs wearing pajamas and fuzzy slippers.

The kitchen was enormous.

Bigger than her entire apartment.

"Who needs six ovens?" she muttered.

"Apparently my grandmother."

Debbie nearly screamed.

She spun around.

Edward stood in the doorway.

His sleeves were rolled up.

His tie was gone.

His dark hair was slightly messy.

Unfortunately, he looked even better than usual.

Life was unfair.

"You scared me!"

Edward raised an eyebrow.

"You screamed."

"You appeared out of nowhere."

"I walked through a door."

"Like a serial killer."

A smile tugged at his lips.

"There are easier ways to become a billionaire."

Debbie laughed despite herself.

Interesting.

The man was developing a sense of humor.

That was either progress or a warning sign.

She wasn't sure which.

Edward moved toward the coffee machine.

"You couldn't sleep?"

Debbie hesitated.

"No."

"Because of Sophia?"

The question hung in the air.

She nodded.

Edward's expression darkened.

For a moment she regretted mentioning it.

Then he surprised her.

"Me neither."

The honesty caught her off guard.

For the first time since meeting him, he seemed less like a billionaire and more like a normal human being.

A very attractive human being.

Unfortunately.

The coffee machine suddenly made a loud popping sound.

Debbie jumped.

Edward laughed.

"You scare easily."

"I do not."

"You screamed at a coffee machine."

"It attacked me."

"It made coffee."

"It attacked me aggressively."

To her horror, Edward laughed again.

The sound was warm.

Unexpected.

Dangerous.

Because she liked hearing it.

Way too much.

***

Over the next few weeks, something strange happened.

Debbie began learning things about Edward.

Things nobody else seemed to know.

The world saw a cold billionaire.

A ruthless businessman.

A man who never smiled.

A man who never cared.

But that wasn't the man she lived with.

Not entirely.

One afternoon she accidentally discovered him in the mansion library.

He wasn't working.

He wasn't taking calls.

He wasn't reading financial reports.

He was sitting on the floor.

Surrounded by children's books.

Debbie blinked.

"What are you doing?"

Edward looked up.

Like a child caught stealing cookies.

"Nothing."

"That is clearly something."

He sighed.

Then reluctantly held up a book.

A fairy tale.

Debbie stared.

"You read fairy tales?"

"No."

"You are literally holding one."

"They're for charity."

"Oh."

That made more sense.

Somewhat.

Edward stood.

"The Blackwood Foundation sponsors several orphanages."

Debbie frowned.

"I've never heard about that."

"Most people haven't."

"Why not?"

His expression changed.

Something sad flickered across his face.

"Because not everything needs publicity."

Debbie fell silent.

She had expected arrogance.

She had expected ego.

She had expected billionaire behavior.

Instead she found compassion.

It was unexpectedly attractive.

Very attractive.

Dangerously attractive.

She immediately decided to stop thinking about it.

That lasted approximately three seconds.

***

One evening, the mansion staff organized a charity dinner.

The event attracted politicians, celebrities, and business leaders.

Debbie hated every second of it.

The dresses.

The cameras.

The small talk.

The fake smiles.

The rich people discussing yachts.

She wanted to escape.

Unfortunately, she was now Mrs. Blackwood.

Escaping wasn't an option.

Halfway through the evening, a reporter approached.

"Mrs. Blackwood."

Debbie smiled politely.

The reporter grinned.

"When did you and your husband fall in love?"

Debbie nearly choked on her champagne.

Across the room, Edward almost spit out his drink.

Love?

That was hilarious.

The reporter waited.

Debbie panicked.

Think.

Think.

Think.

Then she smiled.

"The moment he didn't sue me for spilling coffee on his documents."

The reporter looked confused.

Edward laughed.

A genuine laugh.

Several guests stared.

Apparently billionaires weren't supposed to laugh.

Good.

They needed hobbies.

***

Later that night, the event finally ended.

Debbie escaped onto the balcony.

The cool night air felt wonderful.

For the first time all evening she could breathe.

A moment later, the balcony door opened.

Edward appeared.

Of course.

This was his mansion.

Technically she was the intruder.

Neither spoke for a while.

The city lights glittered in the distance.

Finally Edward broke the silence.

"You handled the reporters well."

Debbie smiled.

"I have hidden talents."

"I noticed."

The way he looked at her made her heart stumble.

Just slightly.

Nothing serious.

Probably.

Hopefully.

"You know," Debbie said, "people are afraid of you."

Edward sighed.

"I know."

"You glare a lot."

"I do not."

"You absolutely do."

"I simply look serious."

"You look like you want to fire people."

A pause.

Then—

"I usually do."

Debbie burst out laughing.

So did he.

For a moment neither noticed how close they were standing.

Or how comfortable the silence had become.

Or how naturally they fit together.

Until their eyes met.

The laughter faded.

The atmosphere changed.

Suddenly the space between them felt smaller.

Much smaller.

Debbie's pulse quickened.

Edward looked at her.

Not as an obligation.

Not as Sophia's sister.

But as Debbie.

Just Debbie.

And for the first time...

She wondered what would happen if he kissed her.

The thought startled her.

Apparently it startled him too.

Because he immediately stepped back.

Breaking the moment.

"Goodnight, Debbie."

His voice sounded different.

Rougher.

She swallowed.

"Goodnight."

He disappeared inside.

Leaving her alone with a racing heart.

And questions she wasn't ready to answer.

***

Three days later, everything changed.

Debbie was working in the library when Edward's assistant rushed inside.

Panic covered his face.

"Sir."

Edward looked up.

"What happened?"

The assistant swallowed.

"We found her."

The room froze.

Debbie's heart stopped.

Edward slowly stood.

"Found who?"

The assistant looked directly at him.

"Sophia."

Silence.

Terrible silence.

The air left Debbie's lungs.

After weeks of mystery...

After weeks of confusion...

After weeks of unanswered questions...

Sophia had finally been found.

But why did nobody in the room look relieved?

The assistant handed Edward a file.

Edward opened it.

His expression immediately darkened.

Debbie's stomach dropped.

Whatever was inside that file...

It wasn't good.

And somehow she knew their lives were about to change again.

To Be Continued...