Chapter 7 SEARCH IN PROGRESS

The tiny but comfortable flat was bathed in golden rays as the sun shone through the window. With a groan, Selene pressed her face further into the pillow on the couch. The sleepless night had left her body aching. She could almost pretend for a moment. Act as though she was still at liberty. Act as though she hadn't simply slapped her husband and fled. But as soon as Ava's voice broke through the atmosphere, the illusion was destroyed. "Get up, Selene. You have to see this." Sleepy, Selene forced herself to stand. "What?" Ava grimaced as she threw her phone into Selene's lap.

A news headline appeared on the screen.

MISSING SELENE BLACKWOOD-SEARCH IN PROGRESS.

Selene's breathing became laboured. The article's hazy information gave the impression that she was a fugitive wife who had rashly deserted her rich husband. However, she understood the true meaning of this. There was a message from Damien. And what came next was not going to please her. With her heart racing, Selene quickly put on her jacket and went outside. She wasn't sure what she was anticipating; perhaps a little more time or an opportunity to reflect. However, she froze as soon as she set foot on the pavement.

Across the street was a sleek black automobile parked. Nathaniel was leaning against it with his arms folded. His cold, piercing eyes met hers instantly. Selene felt sick to her stomach. Pushing off the automobile, Nathaniel remarked, "I was hoping you'd make this difficult. A good chase is appreciated by the boss, you know" Selene made her way to the vehicle. "I wasn't running. All I needed was some time away." As if she were a bothersome child, Nathaniel sighed. "Sure, get in." There was silence during the ride. The sight of the Blackwood estate made Selene's hands shake. The tall mansion, the darkness that persisted in the atmosphere.

Nathaniel opened the door as the automobile came to a stop. Selene gave him a fierce look but left. She paused. She wasn't yet prepared to confront him. However, she refused to allow them to drag her back like a defenceless prisoner. She needed to confront him. The mansion was silent inside. Too silent. Mrs. Hawthorne was standing close to the doorway, her normally friendly face having changed to one that was anxious. "Selene," she whispered. Selene swallowed. "Where is he?" After a moment of hesitation, Mrs. Hawthorne nodded towards the study.

Selene squared her shoulders and took a big breath. She then pushed the doors open. With his fingers intertwined, Damien sat at his desk. He took a moment to look at her. There was a long pause. and elongated. Until, at last- "Did you find your small act of rebellion enjoyable?" Selene balled her fists. "You're exaggerating the situation." Although Damien's lips quirked, his eyes were not amused. "You took off running." He spoke in a calm, almost soft voice. "You disobeyed me." Selene made herself look into his eyes. "I am not your property." Then he got up. He approached her. The air thickened with the sheer power of his presence already.

"Selene, go over your contract again." He spoke softly, almost as a whisper against her flesh. "Because it appears that you have forgotten precisely what you agreed to." She trembled. Light, playful, and dangerous, Damien's fingers brushed her wrist as he moved closer. Then he lowered himself till his lips were just an inch from her ear. "I won't be as understanding if you run again." She felt a chill go through her body. She refused to let him see it, though. She declined.

Selene had trouble falling asleep that night. There was a presence, a heaviness in the air that she was unable to describe. She heard it as she rolled over in bed, attempting to stop her mind from racing.

A whisper. Muffled and soft. From within the fortifications. The thunder of Selene's heartbeat. She strained to listen as she sat up. The murmuring ceased. Was it her imagination? Or was Blackwood Manor hiding something else? Selene strained her ears as she sat up in bed. She could still feel the whispers, but it had stopped. As if they were in the room, observing. Trying to tell herself it was all in her head, she swallowed hard. But she knew better in her heart. Something was hidden at Blackwood Manor. She was going to discover what it was.

Selene discovered Mrs. Hawthorne in the kitchen the following morning. The older woman smiled warmly and turned. "Good morning, my love. Did you get a good night's sleep? Selene paused. "Really, last night I heard something." Mrs. Hawthorne's hands remained motionless on the teacup in her hand. Selene continued. "It was a whispery sound, from inside the house." Mrs. Hawthorne remained still. She just looked for a long time. Then she put the teacup down carefully. "My love, you must have been dreaming. The house creaks at night, indicating how old it is." Selene was not persuaded. The way she abruptly appeared tight, the way Mrs. Hawthorne avoided looking at her... She was able to tell when someone was concealing anything. But before she could get any farther, she heard footsteps coming from the corridor. Damien entered after that.

Selene anticipated that Damien would disregard her, just as he had done at breakfast the previous day. This time, however, he paused right next to her, his towering body looming. Selene braced herself as his sharp gaze flicked over her. "You appear worn out," he said. "Did something keep you up last night?" Selene felt a knot in her stomach. Was she being tested by him? "I slept well," she stated rigidly. As though he didn't believe her, Damien grinned. "All right. I would hate for you to feel uneasy in this place. "Yeah, right." As she left, she said.

Later that day, Selene saw something while exploring the mansion's east wing. A door. Tucked up between two enormous bookshelves, it was hardly noticeable. She had never seen that door before, but she was certain she had passed this hallway before. She felt a burning curiosity. She grabbed the handle. locked. Her heartbeat accelerated. Why was this door concealed? Why was it locked, too? She felt it, a slight vibration, as she put her ear on the board. As if something were shifting within.

Selene said it lightly that night in the drawing room, where she sat opposite Mrs. Hawthorne. She stirred her drink and remarked, "Earlier, I was exploring. In the east wing, I saw a door. It was secured, betweenthe bookshelves. " Mrs Hawthorne froze.

For a second, the woman's expression was carefully blank. Then, she grinned. "There are many rooms in this house, dear. Some of them are just for keeping." Selene rejected it. She made the decision to push. "However, I thought I heard something behind it." "Selene, it's best not to go snooping around." She spoke in a soft yet forceful tone. "Some doors should remain closed."

Selene stayed in the drawing room all day. She receives a notification from one of the maids that Damien is trying to find her. She let the maid know she had heard her by nodding. She wasn't leaving, though. The maid walked out. After a few minutes, Damien stormed through the door.

His eyes found her right away. They were silent for a long time. Then- His voice was smooth and impenetrable when he replied, "I hear you've been wandering." "Don't I live here now?" Coolly, she said. "I dont need your permission to walk about." Damien's lips twisted. "Ah, but you do." His steps were measured as he approached her. "You see, Selene... This house is more than just a residence. It is a location rich in mystery and history. And a few secrets." His voice lowered as he paused directly in front of her. "Aren't intended for you." Selene gasped for air. She didn't even pause her painting or glance at him because she didn't care about him. "Was that a threat Or was it a warning?" She enquired.

She sensed that her casual demeanour was enraging Damien and that it was starting to anger him. He pulsed as he approached the door and gave her one final glance. "Selene, you're making me angry. When I ask for you again, it will be wise for you to respond." Before returning to her work, she examines him in a final glance. "Shut the door on your way out." Damien left and slammed the door. She no longer felt fear. Not from him. Not of whatever he was concealing.

Selene had fallen asleep in the drawing room. To be awakened by murmurs. It was beyond eleven o'clock when she looked at the wall clock. "Shit," she murmured. She began to hear the whispers as she made her way to her rooming, walking as quietly as she could. Her heart began to race. She started to move quickly. They returned. Closer this time. Her heart was pounding. There was a problem. She came to a sudden halt and stood next to the door-the secret entrance. There was silence in the mansion. Aside from the whispers that came from the east wing they came from behind that door.

Selene's hands trembled as she reached for the doorknob. It wasn't locked this time. And when she opened it- She let out a gasp. Because there was a single portrait inside, glowing dimly in the moonlight. A woman's portrait. She looked exactly like Selene.