The Silent Agreement

Chapter 7: The Silent Agreement

Elara woke to the sound of rain against the windows. It had been days since the gala, and since that night in the hallway. Lucien hadn't brought up the confrontation, but neither had he distanced himself.

The tension between them had grown, simmering just beneath the surface like a storm waiting to break.

She stood by the window, watching the rain pour down over the city. The lights of Blackwood Tower reflected in the wet streets like stars, distant and unreachable.

The door to her room opened, and Lucien walked in, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in his usual crisp suit, but today, something felt different about him.

"I've arranged a meeting with some investors this afternoon," he said, his voice cold and businesslike. "You'll accompany me."

Elara nodded, her mind still lost in the haze of the last few days. "Of course."

He didn't speak again, just turned and walked out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

---

The Investor Meeting

The boardroom was sleek, glass walls offering a view of the city below. The investors gathered around a long, polished table, their eyes immediately shifting to Elara as she entered with Lucien.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my fiancée, Elara Blackwood," Lucien said, his voice smooth but detached.

Elara offered a polite smile, the same practiced one she had worn for days now. But inside, she felt like an outsider—a ghost in a world that wasn't hers.

She took her seat beside Lucien, her gaze flickering to the investors around the table. Their eyes lingered on her, calculating, measuring.

"Mr. Blackwood," one of the investors, a tall man with a sharp jaw and sharp eyes, began, "we're very interested in the new direction Blackwood Enterprises is taking, but we'll need a strong partnership to make the upcoming merger work."

Lucien leaned forward, his posture confident, his focus entirely on the man. "We've already secured the majority of the shares. This partnership will benefit both parties. We have the capital and the vision."

Elara watched as Lucien took control of the room with a few well-placed words, his charisma wrapping everyone around his finger. She wasn't sure if he even noticed her presence anymore.

But then, his hand brushed against hers—briefly, just a touch, but enough to send a jolt of electricity through her.

She turned to look at him, and for a brief second, their eyes locked. There was something in his gaze—something raw, something… vulnerable.

It was gone in an instant, replaced by the cold, calculating expression she had come to expect from him.

The meeting continued for another hour, but Elara couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to that fleeting moment—the touch, the look in his eyes.

Was it possible that underneath the businessman façade, Lucien Blackwood wasn't just a ruthless CEO? Was there something more to him?

---

Back at the Penthouse

The rain had stopped by the time they returned to the penthouse. The sky was dark, clouds lingering like a storm on the horizon.

Elara dropped her coat on the couch and walked to the window again. The city looked quieter now, almost peaceful, as if the world was holding its breath.

Lucien stood behind her, his reflection in the glass.

"You're thinking about today," he said, his voice low.

Elara turned to face him. "I'm thinking about a lot of things."

He raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

She hesitated. "You. Me. This… marriage."

Lucien's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something—something she couldn't quite place.

"Don't overthink it," he said, his voice almost warning. "It's simple. We're married. We play our parts. We don't let anyone see the cracks."

But Elara wasn't satisfied with the answer. "And what happens when the cracks start to show?"

Lucien stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "We fix them. Or we bury them deeper."

She swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. "And what about us?"

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing.

Then, softly, "There is no 'us,' Elara."

She felt the weight of his words settle on her chest. She had known that, of course. But hearing him say it out loud—seeing the finality in his eyes—made something inside her break.

She turned away, walking to the window once more, trying to escape the heaviness that was suffocating her.

"I'm not some perfect little doll for your PR," she muttered.

Lucien's footsteps were silent behind her, but she knew he was close. She could feel his presence.

"You never were," he said, his voice softer than before. "But you don't have to be perfect. Just… obedient. In public."

Elara's fingers curled into fists at her sides. "What if I don't want to be obedient?"

Lucien's hand was on her shoulder before she could react. He spun her around, his grip firm but not harsh.

His eyes were dark, unreadable. "Then don't. But if you want out of this marriage, you'll have to fight harder than I ever will."

For a long moment, they stood there, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, slowly, Elara stepped back, breaking free of his grip.

"I'm going to my studio," she said quietly. "I need space."

Lucien didn't stop her.

As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that this contract—this marriage—was slowly becoming more than she could handle.