Chapter 3: Behind the Billionaire’s Walls

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...

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