The Unseen Heiress
As the illegitimate daughter in a household that scorns her, Emilia has learned to endure a life of cruel whispers and cold glares. But her fate takes an unexpected turn when her spoiled half-sister disappears on the eve of her arranged marriage. The family forces Emilia to wed the rumored crippled and disfigured groom in her sister's place—an ominous task they hope will rid them of her for good. Yet, when Emilia meets her new husband, Damien Blackwood, she is stunned. This mysterious man is neither crippled nor disfigured. Instead, he’s handsome, powerful, and hiding secrets as dark as her own. With the Blackwood family’s treacherous history looming over them, Emilia realizes she has entered a world far more dangerous than her own home—a world where alliances are built on lies and love can turn into a weapon. As she delves deeper, Emilia uncovers shocking secrets that link her family’s downfall to Damien’s ruthless kin. Now, torn between the man she’s come to trust and the whispers of betrayal around every corner, Emilia must decide: will she seek revenge on those who’ve wronged her or fight alongside Damien to claim her rightful legacy? In a game where love, power, and loyalty are tested, Emilia must face her past to shape her future… even if it means risking her life.
Chapter 88: The Reawakening of the Past
The gravel crunched beneath the tires as we pulled into the long driveway of the Blackwood estate. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, watching the towering trees sway gently in the wind. This place, once filled with so much tension and bitterness, now felt almost serene.
Damien reached over, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's different now, isn't it?"
I turned to him, catching the soft smile that tugged at his lips. "It is. It's... calmer. Like it's finally breathing again."
When we first moved back here, the estate had been suffocating, its grandeur overshadowed by the weight of its history. But as time passed, we'd transformed it into something that felt ours. The heavy drapes were replaced with lighter fabrics, the once-dark walls painted in warm tones. We'd opened the windows, letting sunlight flood the halls that had once seemed so forbidding.