One Year As Mr Blackwood's Wife

Chapter 2

Nora stayed on her knees, her palms pressed tightly against her thighs to stop them from shaking. The silence stretched between them until it became unbearable. She wished he would say something, even if it was another insult.

The man looked down at her without the slightest hint of surprise. His expression remained unreadable, as though she had merely interrupted an ordinary meeting instead of asking him to marry her. Then, very slowly, one corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smirk showing contempt.

He slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward her with unhurried steps. Every step echoed through the quiet room, making Nora's heartbeat pound even louder. By the time he stopped in front of her, she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes.

"What," he asked evenly, "makes you think you're fit to be the kind of bride I want?"

The words hit harder than she expected. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

Heat flooded her cheeks as reality finally caught up with her. What had possessed her to walk back into this room? She had overheard a private conversation, barged in uninvited, and offered herself as though she belonged in his world.

She didn't. Not even close.

Her clothes had flour on them from the bakery. His wristwatch alone probably cost more than everything she owned.

She lowered her eyes, unable to hold his gaze any longer. "I..." Her voice faltered. She swallowed before trying again. "I know I'm not."

He said nothing. That somehow made it worse.

"I know I'm not the kind of woman you imagined," she continued quietly. "I'm not from your world, and I don't have the background or... or anything someone like you would be looking for."

Her fingers curled into her palms until her nails dug into her skin. "But I wasn't trying to insult you."

His face remained expressionless. "I only..." She let out a shaky breath. "I only need the money."

The words tasted bitter. She hated saying them out loud. It made her sound desperate.

Maybe she was.

"My bakery is drowning in debt," she admitted. "The bank has been sending notices for months. Suppliers are refusing to give me ingredients unless I pay what I already owe them."

She forced herself to continue before fear could stop her. "If I lose the bakery..." Her voice softened. "I'll lose my mother's house too."

For the first time since entering the room, her eyes glistened. She quickly blinked. She wasn't going to cry.

Not here.

"My mother spent her whole life paying for that house," she said. "She died believing I'd always have somewhere to call home."

A painful knot formed in her throat. "I couldn't even keep that promise."

She laughed softly at herself, though there wasn't a trace of happiness in it. "So no... I don't think I'm good enough for you."

She finally looked back at him. "I just don't know what else to do."

Silence settled over the room again. The man studied her carefully, his sharp eyes lingering on her face as though weighing every word she had spoken.

He had met countless people willing to lie for money. Some lied with confidence. Others cried on command.

She didn't seem like either. Still, appearances meant nothing.

His voice remained flat. "What is your name?"

"Nora."

He waited.

"Nora Hayes."

He gave a small nod. "So you want to be Ethan Blackwood's wife for a yearl."

The name alone made Nora's stomach drop. She had heard it before. Everyone had.

Ethan Blackwood.

The billionaire behind Blackwood Holdings. The youngest CEO to expand the company into multiple countries. A man whose business deals made headlines almost every week.

She stared at him in disbelief. So he wasn't just some wealthy groom.

He was Ethan Blackwood.

The Ethan Blackwood.

Her embarrassment deepened. She had walked into one of the most powerful men's private room and offered herself as his temporary wife.

If anyone else heard this story, they would think she'd lost her mind.

Ethan noticed the change in her expression. "So you know who I am."

Nora nodded slowly. "Yes."

"And you're still standing by what you said?"

She hesitated for only a second. "Yes."

He held her gaze. "You don't know anything about me."

"I don't."

"You don't know why my bride disappeared."

"No."

"You don't know what kind of family you're asking to marry into."

She shook her head. "No."

"And yet you're willing to tie your name to mine for a year."

Nora drew in a slow breath. "I am."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"

She almost laughed. Because she was terrified. Because she hadn't slept properly in weeks. Because every morning she woke wondering whether someone would lock the doors to her bakery.

Because she couldn't bear the thought of strangers taking away the last place that still reminded her of her mother.

But none of those answers sounded strong enough. So she gave him the truth.

"Because I don't have another choice."

Ethan looked at her for several long seconds. Then he spoke.

"You don't understand what you're asking for." His voice was calm, but every word carried weight.

"If you become my wife, even temporarily, your life won't belong to you anymore. The media will follow you. You'll be watched."

"You'll be judged. My enemies will look for weaknesses. If they discover you, they'll use you."

His face hardened. "And if you think this will be easy because it lasts only one year..."

He took another step closer. "...you're mistaken."

Nora's heartbeat quickened again. She believed him. Every word.

But none of it frightened her as much as going back to the life waiting outside this mansion.

"I understand," she whispered.

"No."

His tone remained cold. "You don't."

He looked directly into her eyes. "So I'll ask you one last time."

"If you're serious..." His voice dropped lower. "...be absolutely certain before you take another step."

Nora closed her eyes for a brief moment. She saw her bakery. The unpaid bills.

The cracked kitchen tiles her mother used to complain about replacing. The home she was about to lose.

When she opened her eyes again, the fear was still there. So was her answer.

"I'm sure."

Ethan searched her face for any sign of hesitation. He found none.

"Fine," he said simply.

He turned toward the door. "Follow me."

Nora blinked. "...What?"

Without looking back, Ethan stopped walking. A trace of annoyance crossed his face.

"Did I stutter?"

She hurried after him, still struggling to understand what was happening. "You... you're actually considering this?"

"I'm considering whether you're suitable."

Before she could ask what he meant, he answered, "I don't marry strangers without knowing they're medically fit."

The words landed heavily. Nora slowed.

For a second, it felt as though someone had slapped her across the face. Medically fit.

He wasn't talking about her as a person. He was talking about her like a contract waiting to be inspected.

Her chest tightened, but she lowered her head and quietly followed him out of the room.