Chapter 18

Sarah's POV

The evening unfolded like a scene from a fairy tale—only darker, much darker. The grand ballroom of the Blackwood mansion glittered with chandeliers dripping in crystals, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and expensive perfume, mingling with the laughter and clinking glasses of the elite who had gathered for the party that Eren and Axel's parents had orchestrated.

I stood before a tall mirror in one of the smaller rooms, taking in my reflection. The gown I wore was a deep emerald green, the fabric flowing around me in perfect waves, catching the light in all the right places. The bodice, embroidered with intricate silver threads, hugged my waist before flaring out into a dramatic skirt. My hair, dark and sleek, was swept up into an elegant updo, adorned with silver clips that twinkled like stars.

I didn't recognize the woman staring back at me. She was regal, poised, almost untouchable. And yet, beneath the surface, I could feel the storm inside me brewing. I wasn't sure who I was becoming—whether I was playing a role or if the mansion, with all its secrets, was slowly swallowing me whole.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. It was Eren.

He stepped inside, his eyes taking me in with an intensity that made my heart race. He was dressed in a black tuxedo that fit him like a glove, his hair styled just the way I liked it—neat but with a slight, charming dishevelment.

"Stunning," he said, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned toward him, offering a faint smile, though my thoughts were far from at ease. "Thank you," I replied, though I didn't feel like the woman who deserved such a compliment.

"Tonight," Eren continued, his gaze never leaving me, "I'll be the one by your side. No one will dare take their eyes off you."

His words carried weight, as if he were staking a claim. There was something possessive in his tone, but I didn't mind it. Not tonight. Tonight, it felt like a shield, something to protect me from the glances and whispers that would surely follow.

We left the room together, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the corridor as we made our way toward the ballroom. The noise grew louder as we approached, a symphony of laughter, chatter, and the soft strains of a string quartet.

As we entered the room, every head turned in our direction. The air shifted, the atmosphere suddenly charged with expectation. I could feel the weight of every gaze on us, on me.

Eren's hand found mine, and the touch was almost possessive as he led me through the crowd. I glanced around, trying to gauge the mood of the partygoers. Everyone was dressed in their finest, but beneath the polished exterior, there was an underlying tension, like everyone was playing a part in a performance they didn't fully understand.

The Blackwoods had a reputation, and tonight, it seemed, that reputation was on full display.

We approached a corner where Axel stood, his posture straight, his eyes scanning the room with a calculating expression. When he noticed us, his gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a flicker of something cold pass between us. He was wearing a sharp black suit, his hair perfectly styled, but the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips seemed out of place.

As we neared, Axel's eyes darkened slightly. "Eren, Sarah," he greeted, his voice smooth but laced with something else, something I couldn't quite place.

Eren didn't acknowledge Axel immediately. Instead, his hand tightened around mine, his thumb brushing against my skin in a gesture that felt possessive, deliberate.

"Enjoying the party, Axel?" Eren asked, his voice clipped, though his gaze never left me.

Axel's eyes flicked between Eren and me, and I could see the slight twitch in his jaw. "Of course," he said smoothly, though there was an edge to his tone. "Though I can't help but notice you've been quite the sight tonight, Sarah."

I froze at his words, the air around me suddenly feeling heavier. The way Axel said my name sent a shiver down my spine, but I kept my composure.

Before I could respond, Eren moved closer, standing at my side in a way that felt deliberate. He raised his hand to my face, his fingers lightly cupping my chin, tilting my head toward him. The action was subtle but commanding.

"Sarah," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "You're mine tonight. Don't forget that."

I didn't know how to respond, but before I could say anything, Eren leaned down and kissed me.

The kiss was fierce, possessive. His lips pressed firmly against mine, claiming me in front of everyone—Axel, the guests, the world. His hand gripped the back of my neck, drawing me closer, pulling me into him as if he were marking me as his own.

And I felt it. Every word, every gesture, every movement screamed ownership. It was a warning to anyone who might dare get too close.

Axel's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing, his jaw tight. The slight smirk that had been on his face before was now completely gone, replaced by something darker. Something jealous.

When Eren finally pulled back, his eyes locked onto mine, searching me for any sign of resistance, but all I could feel was the electricity in the air. I didn't know if it was the kiss, the tension, or the weight of the entire night, but I was dizzy with it all.

Axel cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "Well, isn't this a lovely display of affection," he said, his voice tight with barely concealed irritation.

Eren didn't take his eyes off me as he stepped back, his arm still wrapped possessively around my waist. "This is my wife, Axel," he said, his voice cold. "And you would do well to remember that."

I could feel Axel's gaze on me, a cold, assessing stare. I dared not look directly at him, afraid of what I might see. But when I did catch his eye, there was no mistaking the fire burning in them. That was a look of frustration, jealousy, and perhaps something darker.

As the evening continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that the Blackwood family's shadows were closing in on me. There were murmurs from the other guests as well—whispers that made me uneasy. I overheard bits of conversation, snippets that I wasn't meant to hear.

"Did you hear about Eren?" one woman whispered to another, her voice barely above a murmur. "They say he's ruthless. Dangerous."

I tried to ignore the conversation, but the words lingered in my mind, echoing in the back of my thoughts. Dangerous. Ruthless. Was this how people saw Eren? Was this the man I had married?

The night wore on, but it felt as though time had stopped. I couldn't escape the sense that I was trapped in a web of dark power—one that I had stepped into without fully understanding the consequences.