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 39: Race to the Truth
The air in the west wing of the mansion felt heavier as we hurried along the dimly lit corridor. The faint light from Damien's flashlight threw shadows on the walls, making the ornate carvings of the wood paneling seem alive. Every step echoed ominously, heightening the tension that coiled like a spring inside me.
The map trembled slightly in my hands—not from the unsteady light, but from my own nerves. The "X" marked on it felt closer with each passing second, but I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that this journey might uncover truths too painful to bear.
"This way," Damien said, his voice a low murmur as he gestured toward another hall.
I nodded, my throat too dry to speak. The promise of answers lay ahead, but so did uncertainty. What if the will wasn't there? Or worse, what if it was, and the truths it held shattered everything I thought I knew about my mother—and Damien's family?