Chapter 6 Cracks In The Facade

Sophia spent the next few days trying to adjust to her new role as Mrs. Blackwood. Adrian’s words from the library echoed in her mind: “Because you’re different.” The phrase unsettled her, not because it was untrue, but because she couldn’t decipher whether it was meant as a compliment or a warning. The charity gala loomed on the horizon, and with it, the growing pressure to present herself as Adrian’s perfect partner. Every decision he made seemed calculated, every word he said layered with meaning. Despite her outward defiance, Sophia couldn’t deny that part of her was intrigued by Adrian’s layers. She had seen glimpses of vulnerability in him, brief moments where the mask slipped. But those moments were fleeting, replaced by his usual air of authority and control. --- That morning, Sophia wandered the manor, exploring its many rooms and corridors. She had hoped to find a place that felt like her own, somewhere she could breathe without feeling the weight of Blackwood Manor pressing down on her. Her steps took her to the solarium, a sunlit room filled with lush greenery and the scent of blooming flowers. Mrs. Langley was there, carefully pruning a rose bush. “Good morning, Mrs. Langley,” Sophia greeted, her voice tinged with unease. “Good morning, dear.” The older woman’s warm smile was a balm to Sophia’s frayed nerves. “How are you finding things?” Sophia hesitated. “It’s... an adjustment.” Mrs. Langley chuckled knowingly. “Blackwood Manor has that effect on newcomers. It takes time to feel like you belong here.” Sophia sighed, lowering herself onto a nearby bench. “I don’t know if I ever will. Adrian is so... guarded. It’s like he’s built this fortress around himself, and I’m just another piece of the puzzle he’s trying to control.” Mrs. Langley paused her work, meeting Sophia’s gaze with a mixture of sympathy and wisdom. “Mr. Blackwood is a complicated man. But I will say this—he doesn’t let anyone close without a reason.” Sophia frowned, her curiosity piqued. “And what reason would that be?” “That’s for you to discover,” Mrs. Langley replied cryptically, returning to her pruning. Sophia left the solarium feeling no closer to understanding Adrian but more determined to uncover the truth behind his enigmatic persona. --- Later that afternoon, Sophia found herself in the grand ballroom. She had intended to explore more of the manor, but the sheer opulence of the room stopped her in her tracks. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls, and the polished wooden floor gleamed beneath the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. She wandered toward the stage at the far end of the room, her footsteps echoing. The quiet was interrupted by a low, unfamiliar sound. She turned sharply, spotting Adrian at the entrance, his wheelchair rolling silently across the floor. “I see you’ve found the ballroom,” he said, his voice carrying an amused edge. Sophia folded her arms, a hint of defiance in her stance. “It’s hard to miss. This place is overwhelming.” Adrian inclined his head. “It was designed to be. My mother loved hosting grand events. This room was her pride and joy.” Sophia detected a rare softness in his tone. “What happened to her?” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “She passed away when I was young. My father... wasn’t the nurturing type. The house became more of a mausoleum after that.” Sophia felt a pang of empathy. She hadn’t expected such vulnerability from Adrian, even in passing. “I’m sorry.” Adrian dismissed the sentiment with a small wave of his hand. “It’s ancient history. The gala will be the first time this room has been used in years.” Sophia bit her lip. “Speaking of the gala... what exactly do you expect from me?” Adrian regarded her with an inscrutable expression. “I expect you to smile, be charming, and make a good impression. The people you’ll meet are influential, and appearances matter.” Sophia bristled at the implication. “So I’m just a prop in your carefully curated image?” His eyes darkened. “You’re much more than that, Sophia. But this marriage was never meant to be easy. If you’re going to survive in my world, you need to learn how to navigate it.” Her frustration boiled over. “Your world? You mean this world of lies and manipulation? What about what I want?” Adrian’s gaze hardened, his calm exterior showing cracks. “What you want doesn’t change the fact that you agreed to this arrangement. You have your reasons, just as I have mine.” The room fell silent, tension crackling like a live wire. Finally, Adrian wheeled himself closer, his voice softer but no less intense. “If you’re going to resent me, at least do it for the right reasons.” Before Sophia could respond, he turned and left, leaving her standing alone in the cavernous ballroom. --- That evening, Sophia retreated to her bedroom, her emotions a turbulent mix of anger and confusion. She was about to draw a bath when she noticed a faint light seeping through the crack beneath her door. Curious, she stepped out into the hall, following the glow. It led her to Adrian’s study, a room she had avoided since discovering its locked doors earlier. Now, the door was ajar, and she could hear the low hum of conversation. She peered inside, careful to remain unseen. Adrian sat at his desk, speaking to someone on the phone. His posture was relaxed, but his tone carried an edge of authority. “No, the terms are non-negotiable. If they don’t like it, they’re free to walk away.” Sophia’s gaze drifted to his desk, where papers were strewn in organized chaos. Among them, she noticed a folder with her name on it. Her heart sank. She waited until Adrian hung up before stepping into the room. “Care to explain why you’re keeping a file on me?” Adrian’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. “Sophia, this isn’t what it looks like.” She crossed her arms, her voice trembling with anger. “Then what is it? You’ve been controlling every aspect of my life since we got married, and now I find out you’ve been spying on me?” Adrian exhaled sharply, pushing his chair back from the desk. “It’s not spying. It’s due diligence. I needed to know who I was marrying.” “Due diligence?” she repeated incredulously. “I’m not some business acquisition, Adrian. I’m a person.” He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “You don’t understand the risks of my world, Sophia. People have ulterior motives. I had to protect myself.” “Protect yourself?” Her voice cracked. “From what? From me? I’ve done nothing but try to survive this nightmare you’ve dragged me into.” Adrian’s expression softened, but his eyes remained guarded. “You’re right. I should have been honest with you. But honesty doesn’t come easily to me.” Sophia shook her head, tears threatening to spill. “I don’t know if I can do this, Adrian. I don’t know if I can trust you.” He hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. “Then let me prove that you can.” She stared at him, her heart warring with her mind. Every instinct told her to walk away, to protect herself. But something in Adrian’s voice, in the way he looked at her, made her hesitate. “I need time,” she said finally, turning to leave. As she stepped into the hall, Adrian’s voice stopped her. “Sophia.” She paused, glancing back. “For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “I’m sorry.” She nodded, her chest tight with unspoken words, and walked away. --- Sophia spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, her mind racing with thoughts of Adrian’s apology. It wasn’t just the words—it was the way he had said them, the vulnerability in his tone that had caught her off guard. As dawn broke, Sophia resolved to dig deeper into the enigma that was Adrian Blackwood. If she was going to stay in this marriage, she needed to understand the man she had married—his secrets, his motives, and the truth behind the facade he worked so hard to maintain.