The ALLURE of CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER 6: The Threat

James paced the dimly wedding venue, his mind consumed by the events of the failed wedding. The chaos, the gunshots, the screams—all of it replayed in his mind like a relentless nightmare.

As he reached the grand foyer, his eyes caught sight of a disturbing sight: a message scrawled in blood across the marble floor. His heart quickened as he approached it, dread pooling in the pit of his stomach. The words were clear and ominous: "Your wife's a beauty isn't she?"

The blood drained from James' face as he read the message again, his hands trembling slightly. Briah's safety was now at risk, and he couldn't afford to ignore it. Despite the tumultuous circumstances of their marriage, she was still his wife, and he couldn't let any harm come to her.

With a surge of determination, James ordered his men to clean up the wedding venue, erasing any traces of the violent altercation. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he made his way back to the manor where Briah awaited.

As he approached her room, James hesitated. He and Briah were practically strangers, their marriage nothing more than a transaction orchestrated by their families- altered by Brielle's stupidity.But now, with her life threatened, he couldn't ignore the bond that had formed between them, no matter how tenuous.

Taking a deep breath, James knocked softly on Briah's door, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know what to expect, but he couldn't let fear dictate his actions. With each passing moment, his concern for her safety grew stronger, and he knew he had to face this challenge head-on, together with his reluctant bride.

James' heart skipped a beat as Briah opened the door, her presence filling the room with an ethereal glow. He couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, her silk robe clinging to her figure, her hair damp from the shower, adding to her allure.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they gazed at each other, the tension thickening in the air. Briah felt her cheeks flush under his intense scrutiny, a flutter of nerves dancing in her stomach. She wasn't used to being the focus of such attention, especially from her new husband.

Struggling to find his voice amidst the swirling emotions, James managed to utter a simple question, "Are you okay?"

Briah nodded, her own voice failing her in the face of his piercing gaze. She wanted to say something, to break the heavy silence that hung between them, but the words eluded her.

With a nod of acknowledgment, James bid her goodnight, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he retreated to his own chambers. Briah stood there for a moment, the encounter leaving her breathless and bewildered.

As she closed the door behind her, Briah couldn't shake the feeling that their brief exchange had shifted something between them, sparking a connection that neither of them could ignore, despite the circumstances of their forced marriage.

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Briah stirred from her slumber as soft light filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the room. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind, oblivous of the threat against her life casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. She glanced over at Noah, still asleep beside her, his innocent face a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling within her.

Before she could dwell further on her thoughts, a knock echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of the maid with their breakfast. Briah hastily composed herself, pushing aside her inner turmoil as she greeted the maid with a polite smile.

As they sat down to eat, Briah couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. She was now married, bound to a man she barely knew, and unsure of what he expected of her. Would she be confined to the mansion, her life dictated by the whims of her husband? Or would she be allowed to continue living her life, pursuing her own interests and passions?

A nagging thought crept into her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. What would become of Noah? Would James demand that she send him back to their parents, tearing him away from the only sense of love he had ever known? The mere idea of it sent a wave of panic coursing through her veins.

Determined to confront her fears head-on, Briah resolved to seek answers from James himself. She couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer, couldn't allow herself to be kept in the dark about her own fate and that of her brother.

As the morning passed and the mansion bustled with activity, Briah anxiously awaited James' presence. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant murmur, heightened her anticipation, until finally, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

With a deep breath, Briah squared her shoulders and made her way to where James awaited. She found him in the study, engrossed in a stack of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"James," she began, her voice steady despite the nerves churning within her. "I need to talk to you."

James looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes at her unexpected presence. "Of course, Briah," he replied, gesturing for her to take a seat opposite him. "What is it?"

Briah hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts before plunging ahead. "I need to know what you expect of me," she said, her words coming out in a rush. "Am I to be confined to this house, or will I be allowed to continue living my life, pursuing my own interests?"

James regarded her carefully, his expression unreadable. "Briah, you are my wife," he said finally, his voice measured. "While I cannot promise complete freedom, I will not stand in the way of your desires and aspirations. However, there are certain expectations that come with being part of this family, and I trust you will conduct yourself accordingly."

Briah nodded, relief flooding through her at his words. While she may not have the complete freedom she desired, it was reassuring to know that James was not intent on controlling every aspect of her life.

"And what about Noah?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Will you make me send him back to our parents?"

James regarded her with a steady gaze, his expression serious. "No, Briah," he said firmly. "Noah is your brother, and he is welcome to stay here with us. I would never ask you to part with him."

A wave of gratitude washed over Briah, a weight lifting from her shoulders at his words. She had feared the worst, dreaded the thought of being separated from Noah, but now, she could breathe a little easier knowing that he would be safe by her side.

"Thank you, James," she said softly, her eyes meeting his in a moment of understanding. "Thank you for being understanding."

James offered her a small smile in return, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "You're welcome, Briah," he replied, his voice gentle. "We may be strangers now, but I hope that we can find a way to make this marriage work, for both our sakes."