Chapter 3

Sarah's POV

I stirred slowly, my body heavy with the pleasant ache of the night before. Eren's arm was draped across my waist, his hold possessive even in sleep. His chest rose and fell with the steady rhythm of deep slumber, his breath warm against my neck.

Turning toward him, I studied his face. In sleep, he looked so different- peaceful, vulnerable. The hard lines that usually framed his jaw softened, revealing a hint of the boy he must have once been. It was a side of him I rarely saw, a side that made my heart ache in the most confusing way.

Carefully, I brushed a lock of dark hair from his forehead. His lashes fluttered, and then his eyes opened slowly, their usual sharpness dulled by the haze of sleep. A lazy grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Morning, Mrs. Blackwood," he murmured, his voice low and rough.

The sound of my new title sent a thrill through me, even as my cheeks warmed. "Morning," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Eren pulled me closer, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was slow and deliberate. The kind of kiss that promised the world could wait. My fingers slid into his hair, and for a moment, everything beyond this room ceased to exist.

But then, an insistent knock shattered the intimacy.

Eren groaned, his forehead resting against mine. "Can't we get a single morning without interruptions?"

I laughed softly. "It's probably room service."

He sighed, reluctantly pulling away. Grabbing a pair of sweatpants from the floor, he tugged them on and headed for the door. I stayed in bed, wrapping myself in the blanket and savoring the lingering warmth of his touch.

The moment the door creaked open, his posture changed. His muscles tensed, and his tone dropped into something colder.

"Axel? What the hell are you doing here?"

The name sent a jolt through me. Axel.

I sat up quickly, pulling on a robe. My heart raced as I stepped into the living area.

Axel stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His presence was overwhelming, as if he brought the weight of a storm with him. He was dressed casually—dark jeans, a fitted black T-shirt—but there was nothing casual about his expression. His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, softening for the briefest of moments before his usual smirk slid into place.

"Good morning, Sarah," he said, his voice smooth and deliberate.

I swallowed hard. "Morning, Axel."

Eren's glare darkened as he stepped in front of me, a protective barrier between his brother and me. "What do you want, Axel?"

Axel's smirk deepened. "Is that how you greet your brother? I came to offer my congratulations. I didn't get a chance to at the reception."

Eren's jaw clenched. "You couldn't wait until we got back home?"

Axel shrugged, his eyes flicking back to me. "Some things can't wait."

The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills. Eren sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "Say what you came to say and leave."

Axel stepped into the suite, his gaze sweeping the room. His smirk widened as he took in the scattered rose petals, the empty champagne flutes, the disheveled bed.

"Looks like I interrupted something," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Eren's patience was wearing thin. "Cut to the point, Axel."

Axel's expression shifted, the playful edge giving way to something colder. "I'm here to remind you of your responsibilities. While you're off playing house, the family business doesn't stop. Dad's been asking about the quarterly reports."

"I'll handle it when I get back," Eren snapped.

Axel held his brother's gaze for a long moment before nodding. "See that you do. You know how he gets."

With one last look at me—a look that lingered a little too long—he turned and walked out. "Enjoy your honeymoon," he said over his shoulder, his voice laced with an unsettling undertone.

The door clicked shut behind him, and the room seemed to exhale all at once.

Eren ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "I'm sorry about that. Axel has a knack for ruining everything."

I touched his arm gently. "It's okay. Let's not let him ruin today."

His expression softened, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "You're right. This is our time."

Despite his words, Axel's presence lingered like a shadow.

---

The day passed in a blur of exploration and quiet moments. Eren and I wandered through cobblestone streets, visited quaint cafes, and admired the city's historic beauty. He was attentive, his every gesture filled with an earnestness that made it easy to forget the tension of the morning.

But even in our happiest moments, Axel's words replayed in my mind. There was something about the way he had spoken—something about the way he had looked at me—that left a knot in my stomach.

That night, as we lay tangled together in bed, Eren's fingers traced lazy patterns on my skin.

"What's on your mind?" he asked softly, his voice thick with drowsiness.

I hesitated, my thoughts a tangled mess. "Just… everything. It's been a lot."

He propped himself up on one elbow, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay?"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Eren studied me for a moment longer before leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. "I love you, Sarah," he whispered.

"I love you too," I replied, the words feeling heavier than they should.

As his breathing evened out, signaling he'd drifted to sleep, I stared at the ceiling, unable to shake the feeling of unease. Axel's warning echoed in my mind:

Nothing stays the same forever.