James Blackwood arrived at exactly seven o'clock.
I heard him before I saw him a deep voice in the foyer that carried the kind of authority you couldn't fake. Margaret's warm greeting, then footsteps echoing through the marble hallway.
I checked my reflection one last time. The navy dress was simple, conservative. Not trying too hard, but respectful. My hands were shaking slightly.
"You look beautiful."
Adrian stood in the doorway, changed into dark slacks and a white shirt with rolled sleeves. Somehow the casual look made him even more devastating.
"I look terrified," I corrected.
"That too." He crossed to me, reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture felt practiced, intimate, like we'd done this a hundred times before. "But he's going to like you."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true." His hands settled on my shoulders, grounding me. "My grandfather values three things: honesty, strength, and loyalty. You have all three."
I wanted to believe him. But meeting the man who raised Adrian Blackwood, who built the Blackwood empire from nothing that was terrifying in ways Ethan could never be.
"Come on." Adrian took my hand, fingers threading through mine. "Time to face the dragon."
The study was all dark wood and leather, walls lined with books that looked older than me. A fire crackled in the massive fireplace despite the warm evening. And standing beside it, whiskey glass in hand, was James Blackwood.
He had to be in his seventies but didn't look it. Tall like Adrian, silver hair perfectly styled, those same piercing gray eyes. Three-piece suit like he was about to chair a board meeting. Everything about him screamed power.
Those gray eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
"Grandfather." Adrian's voice was formal but warm. "I'd like you to meet Sophia Hart. Sophia, this is James Blackwood."
"Mr. Blackwood." I stepped forward, offered my hand. "It's an honor."
His grip was firm, testing. "Miss Hart. I understand congratulations are in order."
The tone gave nothing away.
"Yes, sir."
"Engaged to my grandson after..." He glanced at Adrian. "How long have you two known each other?"
"Not long," Adrian admitted. "But long enough."
"I see." James released my hand, took a sip of whiskey. "And what you want is to marry a woman who was supposed to marry Ethan Cole in six days?"
The temperature dropped ten degrees.
"Yes," I said before Adrian could respond. "I was engaged to Ethan. Our wedding was this Saturday. But I realized he wasn't the man I thought he was."
"Quite a revelation to have six days before your wedding."
"Better six days before than six years after."
Something flickered in those gray eyes. Amusement, maybe. "Fair point. And Adrian here just happened to be available?"
"I approached him," I said clearly. "Not the other way around."
James's eyebrows rose. "You approached him?"
"Yes, sir. I needed help, and Adrian was the only person with the resources and motivation to provide it."
"Motivation." James turned to Adrian. "What motivation would that be?"
"Ethan Cole has been sabotaging Blackwood Empire for two years," Adrian said calmly. "Stealing deals, bribing my employees, spreading rumors. Sophia has information that can help me stop him."
"So this is a business arrangement." Not a question.
The room fell silent. I could feel Adrian tense beside me, could see the calculation happening behind James's eyes.
I'd spent three years being lied to, manipulated, used. I was done with deception, even the well-meaning kind.
"Yes and no," I said. James's gaze snapped back to me. "Yes, Adrian and I have an agreement. I provide information about Ethan's illegal activities, he provides protection and resources. But it's also more than that."
"More how?"
I glanced at Adrian. He gave me the smallest nod your call.
"I won't pretend this is some fairy tale romance," I continued. "We barely know each other. But there's something here. Something real. I don't know what it'll become, but I'm willing to find out. And I think Adrian is too."
James studied me for a long moment. I forced myself to hold his gaze, to not fidget or look away.
"You're honest," he said finally. "That's rare."
"I've had enough lies to last a lifetime."
"From Ethan Cole?"
"Among others."
James walked to the bar cart, poured another whiskey. "Tell me, Miss Hart. Why were you marrying Cole in the first place?"
The question felt like a trap, but I answered honestly. "Because I thought he loved me. Because I was young and stupid and believed the best in people."
"And now?"
"Now I know better. Now I know that Ethan Cole is a thief and a liar who targeted me for my family's money and connections. He never loved me. He loved what I could give him."
"And my grandson? What does he love?"
The question hung in the air. Adrian's hand tightened on mine.
"I don't know yet," I said softly. "But I know he's been honest with me from the start. No false promises, no manipulation. Just a straightforward arrangement between two people who can help each other. That's more than I ever got from Ethan."
James's expression softened slightly. "Adrian told me about your mother. I'm sorry for your loss."
The unexpected sympathy made my throat tight. "Thank you."
"He also told me that Ethan Cole has been embezzling from your family trust. That's a serious accusation."
"It's the truth. I have proof documents, bank records, everything."
"And you're willing to testify?"
"If it comes to that, yes."
James nodded slowly, then turned to Adrian. "You've thought this through? All the implications?"
"Every single one."
"The media will have a field day. Your engagement to Sophia will be front-page news by morning."
"I know."
"Ethan Cole won't take this lying down. He'll retaliate."
"Let him try."
Something passed between grandfather and grandson an understanding, maybe even approval.
"Alright then." James raised his glass. "Welcome to the family, Sophia. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
"I don't," I admitted. "But I'm learning."
That earned me an actual smile. "Honest and brave. You'll fit right in."
Margaret appeared in the doorway. "Dinner is served."
The dining room was as impressive as the rest of the house. Crystal chandeliers, artwork that probably belonged in museums, a table that could seat twenty but was set for three at one end.
Dinner was surprisingly comfortable. James asked questions about my education, my work, my interests but they felt genuine rather than interrogative. He told stories about Adrian as a child that made Adrian groan and made me laugh.
"He was seven years old and already negotiating with his tutors," James said, eyes twinkling. "Convinced his math teacher to let him skip homework if he could solve a problem she couldn't."
"Did it work?" I asked.
"He solved it in ten minutes. The teacher quit the next week."
"Grandfather," Adrian warned, but there was no heat in it.
"What? I'm proud. You were brilliant even then." James turned to me. "His parents would be proud too. They always knew he was special."
Adrian's expression shuttered slightly. "They died when I was eight."
"Car accident," James added quietly. "Drunk driver ran a red light. Killed them both instantly."
My chest tightened. I knew what it was like to lose a parent too young. "I'm so sorry."
"It was a long time ago." But Adrian's voice was tight.
I squeezed his hand under the table. He squeezed back.
James watched the exchange with sharp eyes. "Sophia, your mother. Adrian mentioned it was a car accident as well?"
"Five years ago. But it wasn't an accident." The words came out before I could stop them. "It was arranged by my stepmother and step-sister."
The room went completely silent.
"Excuse me?" James leaned forward.
Shit. I shouldn't have said that. But the lies were over, right? No more pretending, no more hiding.
"My stepmother married my father six months after my mother died," I said carefully. "She and her daughter my step-sister Vivian have been systematically stealing from my family ever since. The car accident that killed my mother was too convenient. Too perfectly timed."
"Do you have proof?" James asked.
"Not yet. But I will."
Adrian's jaw was tight. "Why didn't you tell me this?"
"Because I need to focus on Ethan first. My stepmother and Vivian are long-term problems. Ethan is the immediate threat."
"Sophia..."
"I know." I met his eyes. "I know I should have told you. But everything happened so fast, and I was just trying to survive today before worrying about tomorrow."
James set down his fork. "Let me make something clear, Sophia. If you're going to be part of this family even temporarily we protect our own. That means if your stepmother and step-sister are guilty of murder, we will find proof. And we will make them pay. Understood?"
The fierce protectiveness in his voice reminded me so much of Adrian it made my heart ache.
"Understood," I whispered. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. Justice takes time." James picked up his wine glass. "Now, let's discuss tomorrow. The press release goes out at eight AM. By nine, your phones will be ringing off the hook. By noon, you'll have photographers camped outside the gates. Are you prepared for that, Sophia?"
Honestly? No. I'd been so focused on escaping Ethan that I hadn't spared a thought for the media storm waiting outside these walls.
"I'll manage," I said.
"You'll do more than that." James smiled, sharp and certain. "You'll thrive. The Blackwoods don't merely survive, my dear we conquer."
After dinner, James excused himself, citing an early morning meeting, but not before pulling Adrian aside. I watched them from across the foyer, their heads bent together, voices low, deliberate.
When Adrian returned, his face gave nothing away.
"What did he say?" I asked as we climbed the stairs.
"That you're either the best thing that's ever happened to me," he replied, "or the biggest risk I've ever taken. He hasn't decided which."
"And you?"
Adrian stopped in front of our bedroom door and turned to me. "I think you're both. And I think that's what makes you dangerous."
Inside, the room had changed. Candles glowed softly on the nightstands Margaret's doing, no doubt. The bed had been turned down, pristine and intimidating. One side of the massive closet already held Adrian's clothes.
Reality settled in, slow and undeniable.
We were sharing this room.
This bed.
"I can take the couch," Adrian said quickly, catching my expression. "It's comfortable. I've slept on it plenty of times…"
"No." The word escaped before I could stop it. "The bed is big enough. We can share. Just… maybe a few pillows in between?"
A corner of his mouth lifted. "A pillow wall. Very diplomatic."
"Don't start," I muttered. "It's been a long day."
"It has." His tone softened. "You did well tonight. With my grandfather."
"I was terrified."
"I know. You didn't show it."
I moved to the window, staring out at the gardens below, illuminated by quiet, deliberate light. "Adrian… about my mother.."
"We'll talk tomorrow," he said gently, coming to stand beside me. "Tonight, you need rest. Tomorrow will be chaos."
He was right.
Tomorrow, the world would know.
Tomorrow, Ethan would strike back.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
Again.
"Adrian," I said quietly. "Thank you. For bringing me here. For protecting me. For everything."
"You don't have to thank me, Sophia." His voice was steady. Certain. "We're partners now. Partners protect each other."
Partners.
The word settled in my chest, unfamiliar but right.
"I'm going to shower," I said. "Try to sleep."
"Take your time," he replied. "I'll build the wall."
I glanced back, a reluctant smile breaking through. "You're never letting that go, are you?"
"Not a chance."
Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom in simple pajamas shorts and a tank top to find Adrian already in bed. Shirtless. Propped against the headboard. Tablet in hand.
The pillow wall was gone.
"Thought you were building a wall," I said.
He glanced up, then his gaze stalled, darkening as it swept over me. Just for a second but I felt it.
"Changed my mind," he replied calmly. "We're adults. I think we can manage sharing a bed without barricades."
My heart skipped. Once. Then again.
"Okay."
I slipped under the covers on my side, suddenly aware of everything the whisper of silk sheets against my skin, the quiet shift of the mattress, the heat radiating from him just a couple of feet away.
"Goodnight, Sophia," he said, setting the tablet aside and turning off the lamp.
"Goodnight."
Darkness settled, broken only by moonlight spilling through the tall windows. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to Adrian's breathing slowly even out beside me.
Tomorrow, I'd face the consequences.
Tomorrow, Ethan would know I'd chosen his enemy.
Tomorrow, my father and Vivian would see the headlines and lose their minds.
But tonight for the first time in three years, in two lifetimes I felt safe.
I closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.
My phone exploded to life on the nightstand.
I jolted awake, heart pounding, grabbing it as it vibrated relentlessly. 6:47 a.m. Dozens of notifications. All from the last ten minutes.
Missed calls.
My father.
Vivian.
Unknown numbers.
Messages flooded in faster than I could read them.
Father: CALL ME NOW
Vivian: How could you?! You bitch!
Unknown: Congrats on your engagement to the Devil
Unknown: Gold-digging whore
Unknown: You'll regret this
My hands trembled as I scrolled, each message more venomous than the last.
"Sophia?" Adrian's voice was thick with sleep. "What's wrong?"
I turned toward him, phone clenched in my fist. "It's started. The press release everyone already knows."
He sat up instantly, alert, taking the phone from my hands. His jaw tightened as he read.
"Fuck." He swore under his breath. "It wasn't supposed to go out until eight."
"Someone leaked it early?"
"Looks like it." He was already dialing. "Lucas. Wake up. We've got a problem."
I sat there, numb, as more notifications poured in. My social media accounts were exploding tags, comments, mentions. Photos of Adrian and me, taken who knew when, already circulating.
BILLIONAIRE STEALS BRIDE
SOPHIA HART TRADES UP
Adrian ended the call and turned to me, his expression grim. "Someone at the PR firm leaked it. We're tracking it down, but the damage is done. It's everywhere news sites, gossip columns, social media. Trending."
"Ethan," I whispered. "He paid someone. Early leak. Maximum chaos."
"Most likely." His hand closed around mine. "Are you okay?"
Was I?
My phone buzzed nonstop with hate.
My family was probably in pieces.
Ethan was out there, furious and dangerous.
But I was here. In Adrian's house. Under his protection. And for the first time since I'd woken up three years in the past.
I wasn't alone.
"I'm okay," I said quietly and realized I meant it. "Let them talk. Let them judge. I know the truth. That's enough."
Something like pride flickered across Adrian's face.
"That's my girl."
The possessiveness should've unsettled me.
It didn't.
"So what now?" I asked.
He smiled but there was nothing gentle about it.
"Now," Adrian said, eyes sharp and predatory, "we remind them exactly who they're dealing with. Get dressed. We're facing this head-on."