The Secret Marriage Pact

Amelia hadn't expected to see Lucas at breakfast. Since her arrival at the mansion, he had made himself scarce, retreating into his office or vanishing entirely for meetings. But today, he sat at the long dining table, sipping coffee and reading the morning paper. He looked up briefly when she entered, his piercing blue eyes softening just a fraction before his usual stoic expression returned.

"Good morning," Lucas said, folding the paper neatly and setting it aside. His tone was formal but not unkind.

"Good morning," Amelia replied cautiously as she took a seat across from him. A plate of fresh fruit and toast was already waiting for her, but she wasn't sure she had much of an appetite.

As they ate in silence, Amelia couldn't help but study him. Lucas always carried himself with an air of confidence and control, but this morning he seemed different. There was a tightness in his jaw and a distracted look in his eyes, as if something heavy weighed on his mind.

"Is everything all right?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Lucas glanced at her, surprised. "Why do you ask?"

"You seem... preoccupied," Amelia said, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to overstep, but curiosity got the better of her.

For a moment, Lucas said nothing. Then he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Running an empire isn't as glamorous as it seems," he said finally. "There's always something that demands your attention, a fire to put out."

Amelia nodded, unsure how to respond. She knew Lucas wasn't the type to open up easily, and she didn't want to push him. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his mood than the pressures of work.

"Is that why you wanted this marriage?" she asked quietly. "To keep everything in control?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, she thought she'd crossed a line. But instead of snapping at her, he sighed. "Control is a funny thing, Amelia. You think you have it, but in reality, it's always slipping through your fingers."

His words surprised her. For someone who appeared so composed and unshakable, Lucas seemed almost... vulnerable. It was a side of him she hadn't seen before, and it made her wonder just how much of his icy exterior was a mask.

"Everyone needs help sometimes," Amelia said gently. "Even you."

Lucas's lips quirked into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You're very perceptive, Amelia. But in my world, asking for help is a sign of weakness. And weakness is something I can't afford."

Amelia wanted to argue, to tell him that even the strongest people needed someone to lean on. But she knew he wouldn't listen. Lucas Blackwood was a man who had built his life on self-reliance and control, and breaking through that wall would take time.

As they finished breakfast, Lucas rose from his seat and adjusted his cufflinks. "I have meetings all day," he said, his tone back to its usual businesslike demeanor. "But there's a charity event tonight. You'll need to be ready by seven."

Amelia blinked. "A charity event?"

"Yes," Lucas said. "You're my wife now, remember? People will expect to see us together."

The reminder of their arrangement sent a pang through her chest. She nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "I'll be ready."

"Good," Lucas said, and without another word, he left the room.

That evening, Amelia stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out the fabric of her gown. The dress was a deep emerald green that hugged her figure, and the diamond necklace Lucas had sent to her room sparkled against her skin. She barely recognized herself.

When Lucas entered the room to escort her, his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than usual. "You look... stunning," he said, his voice softer than she expected.

"Thank you," Amelia replied, feeling a warmth rise in her cheeks.

The drive to the event was quiet, but the tension between them was palpable. Amelia could sense that Lucas was still distracted, his jaw tight and his hands clenched into fists. Whatever was bothering him this morning hadn't gone away.

At the event, Lucas transformed into the confident, charming man everyone expected him to be. He introduced Amelia to powerful businessmen, politicians, and socialites, each interaction perfectly calculated. But even as he smiled and laughed, Amelia noticed the flicker of unease in his eyes. He was playing a part, just like she was.

After an hour of mingling, Lucas excused himself to take a phone call, leaving Amelia alone. She wandered toward the balcony, needing a moment to herself. The cool evening air was a welcome relief from the crowded ballroom.

"You're out here too," Lucas's voice said behind her. She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his expression softer than it had been all evening.

"I needed some air," Amelia admitted. "It gets overwhelming in there."

Lucas stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the city lights below. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, out of nowhere, Lucas said, "This was my mother's favorite view."

Amelia turned to him, surprised by the sudden vulnerability in his voice. "Your mother?"

"She used to bring me here when I was a kid," Lucas continued, his tone distant. "She loved the city at night the lights, the energy. She said it made her feel alive."

"What happened to her?" Amelia asked softly.

Lucas hesitated, his jaw tightening. "She died when I was twelve. Cancer. My father threw himself into work after that, and I... well, I learned to take care of myself."

Amelia's heart ached at the raw emotion in his words. For all his wealth and power, Lucas had carried so much pain beneath the surface. She wanted to reach out to him, to tell him he didn't have to bear it all alone, but she held back.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "That must have been so hard for you."

Lucas nodded, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "It was. But it taught me something important no one is going to save you. You have to save yourself."

Amelia wanted to argue, to tell him that wasn't true, but she knew this wasn't the time. Instead, she stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "You're wrong about one thing, Lucas."

He turned to her, his expression guarded. "What's that?"

"Sometimes, letting someone in doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger."

For a moment, Lucas said nothing. Then, to her surprise, he smiled a small, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. "You're full of surprises, Amelia."

"So are you," she replied, holding his gaze.

As they stood there under the stars, Amelia felt a shift between them. For the first time, she saw a glimpse of the man behind the mask a man who, despite his walls, might not be as unreachable as he seemed. And though she didn't know what the future held, she realized she wanted to understand him, to uncover the layers he kept hidden.

Lucas offered her his arm, his voice gentle. "Shall we go back inside?"

Amelia nodded, slipping her hand into his. "Let's."

As they walked back into the grand ballroom, Amelia felt a strange sense of connection to Lucas, even if it was fragile. The music played softly in the background, and the chatter of the crowd surrounded them, but for a moment, it felt like they were in their own little world. Lucas's hand rested lightly over hers, a rare gesture of closeness that made her heart flutter. She glanced up at him, and he gave her a faint smile. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Amelia realized that beneath his cold exterior was someone worth knowing—someone she wanted to reach.

Suddenly, a low voice cut through the atmosphere, sending a chill down her spine. "You might want to be careful, Amelia. Not everything in this world is as it seems."

She turned, but the person had already disappeared into the crowd, leaving her with an unsettling feeling that she couldn't shake.