Chapter 7 Whispers in the dark

Victoria's POV

Darkness.

One second I was staring at the strange note in my hand, and the next, everything around me vanished into black. The lights flickered twice and then died completely, like someone had reached into the mansion and yanked the power from its core. My breath hitched. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe properly. My heart hammered against my ribs, so violently I thought it might burst out of my chest.

"Scott?" My voice barely came out, a shaky whisper.

Nothing.

I reached blindly in the dark, my fingers trembling as I tried to feel around me. The note crinkled in my palm. My room, moments ago a luxurious dream, now felt like a tomb. I stumbled toward the door, but before I could reach it, I felt it again- A hand. On my waist.

"Stop!" I gasped, trying to pull away, but the hand clamped tighter. Not hard. Not violent. But firm. And frighteningly familiar.

Then I heard it. A whisper, barely heard, right by my ear. "He's not who he says he is."

My blood froze.

I twisted around, trying to see through the darkness. "Who are you?!" I shouted, fear clawing at my throat. But there was no reply. The hand disappeared, and the moment it did, the lights blinked back on with a low hum.

I was alone. The room was exactly how I'd left it. Nothing out of place...except me.

My knees buckled. I gripped the edge of the desk to steady myself, my breath ragged. What the hell just happened?

"Victoria!" Scott's voice boomed from outside the door. A second later, it flew open and he rushed in, his eyes sweeping me from head to toe. "Are you okay? What happened? Why did you scream?"

I swallowed the knot in my throat and nodded, even though my body was shaking. "I... I thought I saw someone in here. It's nothing. Maybe just... nerves."

Scott frowned. "You're pale. Come here."

I let him pull me into his arms, but every inch of me was on edge. His warmth should have settled me, but it didn't.

"It was just a blackout," he whispered into my hair. "Probably a glitch in the system. Happens sometimes when the generator kicks in."

I nodded against his chest, too afraid to speak. I didn't believe that for a second.

He pulled back slightly, his thumb brushing my cheek. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yes," I lied. "Just tired."

"Then come. Let's get some rest. You've had a long day." Rest? That was impossible now. But I followed him out anyway.

Later that night, I sat on the edge of my bed, the note finally open in my hand. My heart skipped as I read the words.

"You're being watched. Don't trust him. He's not your enemy... but he's not your hero either."

No writing. No idea. Just this cryptic warning written in frantic handwriting. My hands shook. I stuffed it into the box beside my bed and fell onto the cushion.

Everything felt wrong. The wedding, the sudden kisses, the darkness, the hand on my waist. And now this note. Who was watching me? And what did they mean Scott wasn't my savior? He'd been... sweet, right?

Confusing, yes. Controlling, sometimes. But dangerous?

No. He couldn't be. I barely slept that night. And when I did, I dreamed of dark figures whispering things I couldn't understand.

The next morning, I woke to the smell of roses. My eyes blinked open to find a tray on the bedside table... breakfast, nicely planned. Eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Scott.

I sat up, wary but touched. That sweet act collided so strongly with the fear of the night before.

A note rested beside the tray: "Thought you could use something warm to start your day. If you need anything, I'm downstairs. -Scott."

For a moment, I let myself smile, but the comfort lasted only until I stepped out of the room.

Scott was standing by the big glass windows, dressed in a fitting black shirt and slacks, looking out like he'd been waiting for me.

"Good morning," he said, without turning around. "Morning," I answered, pausing by the stairs.

"Hope you slept well?" I nearly laughed. "As well as someone can when they think they're being haunted."

That made him turn. His eyes darkened. "You're still shaken about last night."

"Wouldn't you be? I was touched by someone, Scott. Whispers. A darkness. Then a warning note in my hand. That doesn't scream coincidence."

He walked toward me slowly. "Do you want me to increase security? I can have guards outside your door. You'll be safe."

"It's not about feeling safe, Scott. It's about knowing what's going on. And you...you're hiding something." He froze. "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath. "At the church, I felt someone touch me. I thought it was you. But it wasn't. Then this house, it's too guarded for a stranger to get in. Yet someone did. Twice. And they left notes. How is that possible?"

His jaw clenched. He didn't speak for a long moment. Then..."Because someone is watching you. Not to hurt you. But to warn you."

My breath caught. "You knew?"

He nodded, slowly. "I suspected. But I didn't want to scare you." I stared at him, trying to process that. "Who?"

He walked past me and sat on the couch, running a hand through his dark hair. "My father's enemies. Some of them believe marrying you is part of a power play. They think I'm using you."

"Are you?"

His eyes snapped to mine. "No. Not like that. At first, yes, it was strategic. But then... something changed. You changed it."

My heart stuttered.

"You looked at me differently," he continued, softer now. "Like I wasn't broken. Like I wasn't my father's shadow. I wanted to protect that look. So I didn't tell you everything."

I didn't know what to say. So I sat beside him. Close. But not touching. "You should have told me."

"I know." "But now I need the truth. That is what I want." He looked at me, and there was something vulnerable in his eyes.

"Okay. I'll tell you. Tonight. There's a dinner party. My closest business allies will be there. And so will someone who knows more about what's happening to you. You'll meet them."

I nodded slowly. But something in my gut twisted. Dinner party. Allies. Secrets, and someone who knows more than he does?

Night fell like a silk curtain. I dressed in a soft green gown, one that stuck to my curves and shimmered slightly when I moved. Scott was waiting downstairs in a black suit that made him look like he stepped out of a luxury ad.

He offered his hand.

"You look like a queen tonight." "And you look like trouble," I replied with a weak smile.

"I am trouble. But only for those who hurt you." His fingers laced through mine, and something inside me melted.

The house glowed with golden lights as guests arrived, laughing and music booming through the rooms. Yet I couldn't shake the dread tightening in my chest.

An hour passed. Then two.

I met his business partners, smiled, laughed, played the perfect wife. But Scott kept looking toward the door, waiting.

"Who are we waiting for?" I asked in a whisper. He leaned in, lips near my ear. "The one who left the note."

I blinked at him, stunned, and then the door opened. A woman walked in. Tall, raven-haired, dressed in a blood-red dress that demanded the entire room's attention.

Scott stiffened.

My heart dropped. He stood up slowly. "Victoria... meet Claire." I stood beside him. "And who exactly is Claire?"

His jaw tightened. "My ex. The one I was supposed to marry." Everything inside me turned cold.

Claire's eyes met mine...and she smiled. "Nice to finally meet the girl wearing my ring."