The Blackwood Curse

Chapter 15

Sarah's POV

The morning dawned with a suffocating stillness, as if the storm that had raged the night before had crept inside, leaving the mansion damp with tension. I sat at the breakfast table, the spread before me untouched. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the faintly metallic scent of rain lingering in the air.

Across the table, Eleanor and Victor sat in their usual regal manner, their backs straight, their movements precise. They were engrossed in conversation, their voices low but sharp, like knives cutting through butter. Eren was seated at the head of the table, reading something on his tablet, his face impassive, detached.

But it was Axel who unsettled me the most. He leaned casually against his chair, his piercing eyes fixed on me as if trying to peel back my skin to uncover secrets I didn't even know I held.

"Sarah, dear," Eleanor's voice cut through the silence, her tone deceptively gentle. "You've barely touched your food. Is something the matter?"

I looked up, startled to find her cold eyes locked on mine. "No, I'm fine. Just... not very hungry this morning."

Victor, who had been silent until now, chuckled lowly. "A Blackwood's wife must learn to have an appetite, my dear. There's a lot to stomach in this family."

The cryptic comment sent a chill down my spine, but I forced a smile and nodded.

"You'll adjust," Eleanor added, her lips curling into what I assumed was meant to be a comforting smile. Instead, it felt like a warning.

The weight of their attention shifted, the conversation flowing to other topics—business ventures, estate matters, and travel plans. I tuned them out, my thoughts racing. There was something unsettling about this family, a darkness that lingered beneath their polished exteriors.

---

Axel's POV

Breakfast dragged on, a slow torture of pleasantries and veiled barbs. Eleanor and Victor played their usual games, asserting their dominance with subtle digs and cryptic warnings. Eren, ever the golden son, played along perfectly, keeping his mask firmly in place.

But Sarah...

She was different. Her discomfort was clear, her attempts to blend in painfully obvious. She didn't belong here, not in this world of lies and power plays. Yet, that was what made her so captivating.

She looked up at me briefly, her eyes meeting mine. There it was again—that flicker of uncertainty, of distrust. I held her gaze, letting my lips curl into a faint smile. She quickly looked away, but I could see the flush rising to her cheeks.

"Axel," Eleanor's voice snapped me back to the present. "You'll join us in the study later, won't you? We have matters to discuss."

"Of course," I said smoothly, my smile never faltering.

Sarah's POV

After breakfast, I retreated to the garden, hoping the fresh air would clear my head. The rain had stopped, leaving the earth damp and the flowers glistening with dew. I followed the stone path, the sound of my footsteps swallowed by the thick, wet grass.

I found a secluded bench beneath an old oak tree and sat down, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. My mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions—Eren's coldness, Axel's unnerving intensity, Eleanor and Victor's subtle threats.

This wasn't the life I had imagined.

The sound of footsteps drew my attention. I turned to see Axel approaching, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored slacks.

"Do you always follow people, or am I just special?" I asked, trying to inject some humor into my voice.

He smirked, unbothered by my attempt to deflect. "You were looking like you could use some company."

I didn't respond, watching as he sat down beside me. The bench was wide, but his presence felt overwhelming, his proximity too close.

"You've been quiet today," he said, his voice softer than usual.

"I've had a lot on my mind," I admitted, staring at the ground.

"Let me guess," he said, leaning slightly toward me. "Eleanor and Victor's endless tests. Yours and Eren's... distance."

I glanced at him sharply. "What do you mean?"

Axel chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't think I've noticed? My brother may be good at hiding things, but he's not perfect. You've seen it too, haven't you? The cracks in his facade."

His words hit too close to home, and I turned away, my heart pounding.

"You're wrong," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

Axel leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Am I?"

I stood abruptly, putting distance between us. "I don't know what you're trying to do, Axel, but I'm not playing along."

He remained seated, his smirk fading into something more serious. "I'm trying to help you, Sarah. You're in over your head, and you don't even realize it."

I shook my head, backing away. "Stay out of my business, Axel."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, my chest tight with frustration and unease.

---

Eren's POV

I watched from the study window as Sarah stormed away from the garden, her shoulders tense, her steps quick. Axel remained on the bench, his posture relaxed, as if he had won whatever twisted game he was playing.

My hands curled into fists at my sides. Axel had always been a problem, but now he was becoming a threat.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Eleanor's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see her standing in the doorway, a glass of wine in hand.

"Not now, Mother," I said, my tone clipped.

She raised an eyebrow, stepping into the room. "Oh, but I think now is the perfect time. You've been distracted lately, Eren. That's not like you."

I didn't respond, my gaze returning to the window," Eleanor continued, her tone casual. "But charm only goes so far. She'll need to prove herself if she wants to survive in this family."

"She doesn't need to prove anything," I said sharply.

Eleanor smirked, swirling the wine in her glass. "My...my...Such devotion for her?. I wonder how long it will last once she learns the truth."

Her words were a dagger to my chest, but I refused to let her see the impact.

She continued. "Just remember you will do what you have to if she doesn't comply. You know how this family runs." She paused before continuing. "You will do what's needed if you don't want your brother to become a part of this"

---

Sarah's POV

By the time I reached my room, I felt like I was suffocating. The mansion's walls seemed to close in around me, the air thick with secrets and lies. I paced the floor, my mind racing.

Eren was hiding something, I was sure of it. Axel knew more than he was letting on, and Eleanor and Victor... they were the puppet masters pulling all the strings.

I stopped in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The woman looking back at me was a stranger—tired, scared, and unsure of her place in the world.

But one thing was clear: I couldn't keep ignoring the signs. If I wanted to survive in this family, I needed to uncover the truth.

No matter what it cost me.