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 61: Preparing for Court
The mansion buzzed with a quiet intensity as the looming court date drew closer. Every room seemed to echo with whispers of plans, schemes, and counterattacks. I could feel the tension crackling in the air like a brewing storm. The weight of everything—my mother's legacy, my claim to the estate, and the truth about the Blackwoods—hung over me like a sword, ready to drop.
Damien and I had locked ourselves in the study for most of the morning, sifting through piles of evidence. Folders, contracts, and photographs were spread across the desk in a chaotic array. We were chasing threads, piecing together years of deception and betrayal into a coherent case that might finally bring justice.
"We need to focus on the forged documents first," Damien said, his voice clipped with concentration. He leaned over the desk, his fingers tracing the edges of a faded letter. "If we can prove your mother's will was tampered with, it discredits their entire argument."