Thrown Into The Lion's Den

Amelia Carter's first day as Mrs. Lucas Blackwood was nothing like she had imagined. The wedding had been a cold, business-like affair with no warmth or emotion. But the reality of her new life began to sink in as she stood in front of the grand double doors of the Blackwood family mansion, her heart pounding in her chest.

Lucas, standing beside her, looked calm and collected as always. Dressed in another impeccable suit, he exuded confidence. Amelia, on the other hand, felt small and out of place in her simple dress. She glanced at Lucas, trying to read his expression, but his face gave away nothing.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Did she have a choice? She nodded, though her hands were trembling.

The doors swung open, revealing a grand hallway filled with people. Amelia recognized some of them from the wedding wealthy business associates, influential friends, and members of the Blackwood family. The air was thick with tension as all eyes turned to her and Lucas. Whispers began to ripple through the room.

"Who is she?"

"Why her?"

"She doesn't belong here."

Amelia felt the weight of their stares and judgment. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but she forced herself to stand tall, remembering why she had agreed to this charade in the first place. Her father needed her, and this was her only way to save him.

Lucas placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the room. His touch was light but firm, a reminder that she had to play her part.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucas announced, his voice commanding silence. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Amelia Blackwood."

The room fell into a tense hush. A few people clapped politely, but most just stared. Amelia could feel their skepticism and disdain. She forced a small smile, hoping it looked more confident than she felt.

From across the room, a woman in an expensive red gown approached them. Her sharp features and calculating eyes made Amelia immediately uneasy.

"Lucas," the woman purred, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "You didn't mention your…bride was so young."

"Victoria," Lucas replied smoothly, his tone indifferent. "Amelia, this is Victoria Sinclair, an old family friend."

Amelia extended her hand, but Victoria barely glanced at it. Instead, she looked Amelia up and down, her lips curving into a faint smirk.

"How charming," Victoria said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you were into charity cases now, Lucas."

Amelia's cheeks burned with humiliation, but before she could respond, Lucas stepped in.

"Victoria," he said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You'd do well to remember who you're speaking to."

Victoria's smirk faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, Lucas. My apologies."

Amelia felt a wave of relief but also anger. She hated feeling like she needed Lucas to defend her.

As the evening progressed, Amelia met more people, each encounter more uncomfortable than the last. Most were polite to her face but made no effort to hide their disapproval when they thought she wasn't looking.

"She's just a nobody," one woman whispered to another.

"I give it six months," a man muttered.

Amelia clenched her fists, swallowing her frustration. She had known this wouldn't be easy, but she hadn't expected it to be this brutal.

Eventually, Lucas led her to a quieter corner of the room. "You're doing fine," he said, his voice low.

"Am I?" she shot back, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "Because it feels like I'm a lamb being thrown to the wolves."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "They're testing you. They want to see if you'll break."

"And what if I do?"

"You won't," he said simply, as if it were a fact.

Amelia stared at him, trying to understand how he could be so calm. "Do they hate me because I'm not from their world?"

Lucas's expression softened slightly. "They hate you because they can't control you. And because you represent something they don't understand."

His words gave her a strange sense of comfort, but it didn't erase the sting of the evening.

As the night wore on, Amelia found herself standing alone near the edge of the room. Lucas had been pulled into a conversation with a group of investors, leaving her to fend for herself. She sipped her champagne, trying to look like she belonged, when a young woman approached her.

"You must be Amelia," the woman said, her tone friendlier than most. She had warm brown eyes and a kind smile.

"Yes," Amelia replied cautiously.

"I'm Claire," the woman said. "Lucas's cousin. Don't worry about the others. They're just jealous."

"Jealous?" Amelia asked, surprised.

Claire laughed. "Of course. You've done what none of them could tame Lucas Blackwood."

Amelia frowned. "I don't think anyone could tame Lucas."

Claire grinned. "True. But you've definitely got their attention. And knowing Lucas, he wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't special."

Amelia wasn't sure how to respond. Was Claire genuinely trying to be nice, or was this some kind of test?

Before she could figure it out, Lucas returned, his expression unreadable. "It's time to leave," he said, his tone curt.

Amelia nodded, relieved to escape.

As they stepped into the waiting limousine, Amelia let out a long breath. "That was…intense."

"You handled it well," Lucas said.

"Did I?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because it felt like I was being fed to lions."

Lucas smirked. "Welcome to my world, Mrs. Blackwood."

Amelia rolled her eyes, but deep down, she couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of pride. She had survived her first night in the lion's den. But as the limousine sped through the city streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

Amelia rolled her eyes, but deep down, she couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of pride. She had survived her first night in the lion's den. But as the limousine sped through the city streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

The silence inside the car was heavy, with only the soft hum of the engine filling the air. Amelia glanced out of the window, watching the city lights blur past. This wasn't her world. The glitz and glamour, the polished lies disguised as smiles it all felt suffocating. She longed for the simple comfort of her old life, where things made sense.

"Why did you really choose me, Lucas?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Lucas, who had been staring at his phone, looked up, his expression unreadable. "We've been over this," he said. "You fit the profile."

"Profile?" she repeated, bitterness creeping into her tone. "I'm not a résumé, Lucas. I'm a person."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't respond immediately. After a moment, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You're right," he admitted. "But you also agreed to this. You knew what you were walking into."

Amelia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I didn't know it would be this hard."

"It's hard for everyone at first," Lucas said, his voice softer now. "But you'll learn. You're stronger than you think, Amelia."

His words surprised her. It was the first time he had shown even a hint of encouragement. She studied his face, searching for sincerity, and for a moment, she thought she saw it.

"Does it ever get easier?" she asked quietly.

Lucas leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. "No," he said honestly. "But you'll get better at playing the game."

Amelia's stomach tightened at his words, a feeling of unease settling over her. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could find the right words, the door to the office creaked open behind them. A figure stepped into the room someone she never expected to see.

Amelia's breath hitched as the person looked directly at her, a smirk playing on their lips.

"Looks like we have a problem," the stranger said, their voice dripping with something dangerous.