Chapter 6 The secrets in the dark

Victoria's POV

I couldn't sleep. No matter how luxurious the bed was or how relaxing the smell of lavender on the sheets, my body refused rest. My mind was loud...chaotic. That note repeated in my head like a broken record: Beware the man with two faces. Trust no one.

I sat up in bed, holding the silk sheets around me like armor. The room was quiet, but it wasn't peaceful. It was the kind of quiet that screamed. The kind that made the hair on the back of your neck rise without reason.

The man with two faces. What did it mean? Was it Scott? Or someone else? Someone watching me?

I slipped out of bed and walked over to the balcony. Cool air kissed my bare arms, but it didn't soothe me. Down below, the garden was dimly lit by ancient lanterns moving in the wind. Shadows danced between the bushes, and for a split second, I could've swore I saw movement. A flicker...someone hiding. Watching.

A shiver crawled up my spine. My arms reflexively crossed my chest. Suddenly, the door creaked open behind me. I spun around, heart racing.

Scott stood in the doorway, his tie undone, shirt partly unbuttoned, and hair tousled like he hadn't slept either.

"Sorry," he said, voice low. "I saw your light on. Are you okay?"

"No," I replied. "I'm not." He stepped into the room, cautious but serious. "Was it something that happened at the church?"

I bit my lip. I didn't want to tell him about the note. Not yet. Not until I was sure.

"It's just... a lot. This marriage. The way it happened. The things I don't know."

He sat on the edge of the couch near the window, his eyes fixed on me like he was studying every crack I tried to hide.

"I know it's strange," he said. "Believe me, I didn't want it to happen this way either. But I'm not the enemy here, Victoria."

"Then who is?" I asked. His mouth twitched like he wanted to say something, but didn't.

"I'm trying to protect you," he finally said. "From what?" I challenged, Silence.

That quiet again. Full of meaning he refused to give. I walked over to him, my breath shallow. "Scott... what aren't you telling me?"

His eyes dropped to my mouth before meeting my look again. "Nothing you're ready to hear."

That pissed me off. "I didn't marry you to be handled. I did it to save my family, yes, but I deserve the truth."

His jaw clenched. "The truth could ruin everything." I leaned in, barely inches from him now. "Then ruin me."

For a moment, the tension between us shifted... turned from cold conflict to a heat that almost burned. He reached for me, his hand touching my cheek. Soft, thoughtful.

"You don't know what you're asking for," he mumbled. "I know exactly what I want." And then he kissed me.

Not a forced, showy kiss like at the wedding. This was slow. Heartbreaking. Like he was both eager for me and afraid of me at the same time. I didn't push him away. I should've. But I didn't.

When we broke apart, I was breathless. My heart thudded against my ribs like it wanted to leave. He pulled back, guilt in his eyes. "I shouldn't have..." "No," I stopped, fingers brushing his cheek. "You should've. I wanted you to." He gave a broken laugh. "You're dangerous, Victoria."

"I think you like danger." He stood suddenly, walking to the door. "I do. But risk comes with a price. And you've already paid enough." "Scott..." "I'll have breakfast brought to your room. Sleep, if you can."

And then he was gone.

I touched my lips, still swollen from his kiss, and collapsed back onto the bed. My heart was still racing. My fingers found the note again under the pillow.

Whoever left it knew something. Something they wanted me to find.

I needed answers.

The next morning, I woke to find a plate of food beside my bed: croissants, berries, tea. I barely touched it.

Instead, I dressed in a cream-colored dress and made my way down to the library. If this house held secrets, I'd start there.

The room was massive... floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with old books and papers. A fireplace flickered low in the corner, and the scent of old paper clung to the air.

I combed through drawers, opening dusty journals, boxes of correspondence, until I stumbled upon a locked cabinet.

I tugged the handle. Locked. Footsteps echoed in the hallway. I turned quickly, moving the papers back.

A woman arrived. Late fifties. Elegant. Sharp eyes that missed nothing. "You must be Victoria," she said. I straightened. "Yes. And you are?"

"Marla. I've handled this farm for twenty-two years." Her tone made it clear she was testing me. "Do you always spy on people in the library?" I asked.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Only when they're snooping where they shouldn't."

"I'm not snooping. I'm... exploring." "Careful, dear. Curiosity can be fatal." My blood chilled. "What do you mean by that?" I asked She tilted her head. "Just that every bride who's come to this house has tried to uncover secrets. And none of them stayed long." "Brides? As in... more than one?" She didn't answer. Just gave me a look that screamed: Don't dig. I waited until she left, then returned to the locked cabinet. I needed that key.

Later that afternoon, I found Scott in the greenhouse. He was alone, reading. I took a deep breath. "We need to talk." He closed the book, nodding for me to sit. "There's something off about this place. And that note I found...it's not just paranoia."

He leaned forward, eyes dark. "What note?"

I pulled it from my pocket and handed it to him. His jaw tightened as he read it. "Where did you get this?"

"It was in my hand after the ceremony." Scott stood, pacing. "Damn it." "Scott, what's going on?"

He looked at me like he was considering something. Then finally: "There are people who don't want us together. People who think this union will destroy the order of things."

"What people?" "Old enemies. New threats. Some... from within this house."

"You mean your family?"

"I mean mine. And maybe yours too." My breath caught. "You have to trust me," he said. "I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe."

"Then stop keeping me in the dark."

He breathed hard. "Fine. Tonight. Meet me on the east tower deck at midnight. I'll tell you everything.

........................................................

Midnight couldn't come fast enough. I counted the hours, heart beating. When the clock hit twelve, I slipped from my room, quiet as a ghost, and made my way to the east tower.

The air was cold, wind roaring around the towers. I wrapped my shawl tighter. Scott wasn't there yet. I watched, and waited.

Then I heard it...a scream. High-pitched. Terrified. Echoing from somewhere below.

I turned to run, only to find someone standing at the other end of the balcony.

A man. But not Scott. His face was partly in dark, but I knew those eyes. He stepped forward, a twisted smile on his face. "Hello, Victoria. Or should I say... Mrs.

Blackwell." I stepped back. "Who are you?" He pulled something from his coat. A photo Of me. Taken from outside my old apartment. "I've been watching you for a long time," he whispered, and then everything went black.