Chapter 2

“So, Elena,” Eleanor began, dabbing her mouth with a silk napkin. “I hear you left your job to be with Liam. How... devoted.”

Elena’s smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. “Yes, I did. I wanted to fully support him and our new life together.”

“How noble,” Victoria chimed in, her tone dripping with mock admiration. “Not many women would sacrifice their independence so easily.”

Elena’s cheeks flushed, a prickle of discomfort creeping up her spine. “It didn’t feel like a sacrifice. It felt right.”

Eleanor’s eyes gleamed. “Such loyalty. I hope it’s rewarded.”

Liam’s jaw tightened, his voice firm. “It will be. Elena’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

For a moment, Eleanor’s smile wavered, her eyes narrowing. But she quickly recovered, her expression serene. “Of course, darling. We’re just getting to know her, that’s all.”

Elena forced a smile, her shoulders relaxing when Liam’s hand squeezed hers reassuringly. But the tension in the room was palpable, an invisible thread weaving around them, binding and constricting.

After lunch, Eleanor gave them a tour of the estate, her voice smooth as she spoke of the family’s history and wealth. “This home has been in the Harrington family for generations. Tradition and legacy are everything.” Her eyes flicked to Elena. “It’s important to preserve them.”

Elena nodded, sensing the underlying message. “I understand.”

“I hope you do,” Eleanor replied, her smile tight. “Liam has great responsibilities. Expectations to meet.”

Elena swallowed, glancing at Liam, who was staring out the window, his jaw tense. She wanted to ask him what his mother meant, but the words stuck in her throat.

As they walked through the gardens, Victoria fell into step beside Elena. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” she murmured, her voice low. “So much history... so many secrets.”

Elena looked at her, frowning. “Secrets?”

Victoria’s smile was sharp, her eyes cold. “Every family has them. Especially ours.” She looked at Elena, her gaze piercing. “I wonder if you’re prepared to find out what they are.”

Before Elena could respond, Victoria sauntered ahead, her laughter light and musical, echoing through the garden like a ghostly whisper.

Elena stood frozen, her heart thudding in her chest. She looked at Liam, who was talking to his mother, oblivious to her unease.

A chill ran down her spine, her mind replaying Victoria’s words. She wanted to believe they were just meant to intimidate her, a test to see if she could handle being a Harrington.

But as she looked at the sprawling mansion, its grand facade imposing against the gray sky, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Victoria was right.

There were secrets here. Dark, hidden truths lurking beneath the surface.

And Elena was now a part of them. Whether she wanted to be or not.Elena forced herself to follow, her legs moving on autopilot as she tried to shake off the chill that Victoria’s words had left behind. She looked around the sprawling gardens, the perfectly trimmed hedges and vibrant blooms failing to soothe her unease.

She found herself staring at the fountain in the center—a marble sculpture of a woman pouring water from an urn, her expression serene and timeless. But there was something haunting about it, the way the water cascaded endlessly, never filling the pool below.

“Elena?” Liam’s voice pulled her back, his hand reaching for hers. “You alright?”

She blinked, realizing she had been standing there, motionless. “Yeah... I just... It’s beautiful here.”

Liam’s face softened, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “I used to play here as a kid. I’d pretend this place was a kingdom, and I was the prince protecting it.”

Elena smiled at the image, trying to focus on the warmth in his eyes. “And who were you protecting it from?”

His expression flickered, his gaze shifting to the mansion. “Anyone who tried to change it.”

Before she could ask what he meant, Eleanor’s voice rang out, smooth and commanding. “Liam, darling, we’re ready to discuss the business details.” Her eyes flicked to Elena, her smile polite but distant. “I trust you can entertain yourself while we handle some... family matters?”

Elena hesitated, glancing at Liam. He gave her an apologetic smile. “Just a quick meeting. I’ll find you right after.” He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. “Promise.”

She watched him walk away, his shoulders straight, his posture tense. Eleanor’s hand rested on his arm, her head tilted as she spoke to him in low, urgent tones.

Victoria appeared at Elena’s side, her presence as silent as a shadow. “He’s always been her favorite, you know. The golden son.”

Elena turned, startled. “I... I didn’t realize.”

Victoria’s smile was sharp. “Oh, yes. She’s always had plans for him.” She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Plans that don’t include you.”

Elena’s heart skipped, her mouth suddenly dry. “What do you mean?”

But Victoria just shrugged, her expression playful. “You’ll see.”

She walked away, her laughter light and carefree, leaving Elena standing alone by the fountain.

Elena wrapped her arms around herself, a cold breeze brushing against her skin. She looked up at the mansion’s grand windows, shadows moving behind the curtains. For a moment, she thought she saw Eleanor’s face watching her from above, eyes cold and calculating.

Elena took a shaky breath, telling herself it was just her imagination. But the feeling of being watched wouldn’t leave her.

Deciding to explore the gardens to clear her mind, she wandered down a stone path lined with roses, their fragrance heavy in the air. The estate was magnificent, every detail meticulously crafted, but it felt empty, devoid of warmth.

She came to a gazebo draped in ivy, its white pillars gleaming under the afternoon sun. Taking a seat on the wooden bench, she let herself relax, closing her eyes and breathing in the floral scent.

Then she heard voices.

Low, muffled, but unmistakable. Elena froze, her body tensing as she listened. The sound was coming from behind the gazebo, where the hedges grew thick and tangled. She crept closer, careful to stay hidden.

“I don’t care what he thinks,” Eleanor’s voice was sharp, edged with frustration. “She’s not what we planned.”

Elena’s heart stuttered. Were they talking about her?

“He loves her,” Liam’s voice was tight, defensive. “That’s all that should matter.”

Eleanor’s laughter was cold, dismissive. “Love? Don’t be naïve. You were raised better than that.”

Elena’s stomach dropped, her fingers clutching the gazebo’s pillar for support.

“You have responsibilities, Liam. To this family. To this legacy.” Eleanor’s tone softened, almost pleading. “Don’t throw it all away for a passing infatuation.”

“It’s not just an infatuation,” Liam argued, his voice raw. “I need her.”

There was a heavy silence before Eleanor spoke again, her words measured, calculating. “Need her... or need the idea of her? A distraction from the pressure? From the expectations?”

Elena’s chest tightened, a knot forming in her throat. She shouldn’t be hearing this. She didn’t want to hear this.

“You don’t know her,” Liam said quietly. “She makes me feel... free.”

Eleanor’s sigh was long, weary. “Freedom is an illusion, Liam. One you can’t afford.”

There was a rustle of fabric, the sound of footsteps moving away. Elena pressed herself against the pillar, her heart pounding as she watched Liam walk back toward the house, his shoulders slumped.

Eleanor remained for a moment, her back to Elena. She stood rigid, her head tilted as if deep in thought. Then she turned, her face blank, her eyes dark.

For a terrifying moment, Elena thought Eleanor saw her. But Eleanor simply walked away, her steps graceful, composed, leaving behind a cold, empty silence.

Elena stood frozen, her mind reeling. She had wanted to belong here, to be a part of Liam’s world. But this wasn’t a world of love and acceptance. It was a world of control, manipulation, and hidden agendas.

A world where even love was a tool.

She stumbled back to the fountain, her knees weak. Staring at the marble woman pouring water into an endless, empty pool, she felt the cold fingers of doubt curl around her heart.

Had she truly married the man she loved? Or had she married into a prison, beautifully gilded and suffocatingly cold?

Elena didn’t have the answers. But she had the sinking feeling that her dream wedding was only the beginning...

Of a nightmare she couldn’t escape.The morning sun filtered through the delicate lace curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues. Elena stirred, her body nestled against Liam’s. A smile played on her lips as she opened her eyes, the reality of her new life settling in. She was married. She was his.

Rolling over, she watched him sleep, his face relaxed, free from the tension she’d glimpsed the day before. Reaching out, she brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, her fingers lingering on his warm skin.

He stirred, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw her, his face broke into a sleepy grin. “Morning, Mrs. Harrington.”

A giggle escaped her as she buried her face in his chest. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that.”

His arms tightened around her, his voice a low rumble. “Good. Because I plan on saying it for the rest of our lives.”

They spent the morning wrapped up in each other, laughter and kisses filling the room. Everything felt perfect—like they were the only two people in the world.

Later, Elena moved through the sprawling mansion, familiarizing herself with the place she would now call home. The grand hallways were lined with portraits of Liam’s ancestors, their faces stern and dignified, watching her as she passed. She shivered, the echo of Eleanor’s voice from the garden replaying in her mind.

Freedom is an illusion, Liam. One you can’t afford.

Elena shook her head, willing herself to forget the conversation she wasn’t meant to hear. It didn’t matter. Liam loved her—that was all she needed to believe.

She busied herself in the kitchen, humming as she prepared breakfast. It felt good to do something normal, something that reminded her of her old life. As she arranged the plates, she heard a voice behind her.

“Oh. You cook?”

Elena turned, nearly dropping a glass. Eleanor stood in the doorway, perfectly poised, her eyes cool as they swept over the kitchen.

“Yes,” Elena answered, forcing a smile. “I’ve always loved cooking. I thought I’d make breakfast for Liam.”

Eleanor’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “How... quaint.” She glided into the room, her movements graceful, controlled. “In this family, we have staff for that.”

Elena’s cheeks flushed. “I just wanted to surprise him.”

Eleanor’s eyes flicked to the plates, then back to Elena. “I see. How... thoughtful of you.” Her voice was polite, but the edge was unmistakable.

She took a seat at the kitchen island, crossing her legs elegantly. “I suppose things were... different where you grew up.”

Elena’s hands stilled, her heart skipping. “Yes, I grew up in a smaller town. My parents taught me the value of hard work.”

Eleanor’s smile sharpened. “How lovely. It must have been... simple.”

The way she said it made Elena’s stomach twist. She opened her mouth to respond, but Liam’s voice interrupted. “Morning, ladies.” He walked in, his presence immediately lightening the room.

Elena’s face brightened. “I made breakfast.”

He grinned, walking over to kiss her cheek. “You’re amazing.”

Eleanor watched them, her face unreadable. “Yes. Quite the domestic goddess.” Her gaze lingered on Elena’s dress, a simple floral sundress that suddenly felt out of place in the grand kitchen.

Elena felt small under Eleanor’s scrutiny, but Liam didn’t seem to notice. He pulled out a chair, motioning for Elena to sit beside him. “Join us, Mom?”

Eleanor’s eyes flicked to the food, then to Elena. “No, thank you. I’ve already eaten.” She stood, her movements fluid, graceful. “I’ll leave you two to enjoy... your little meal.”

As she walked out, Elena heard her murmur, just loud enough to be heard, “I suppose every man goes through a phase of wanting something... different.”

Elena’s heart sank, her fingers tightening around her fork. But Liam took her hand, his thumb stroking her skin. “Ignore her,” he said softly. “She doesn’t know you like I do.”

She forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah. You’re right.”

But the doubt was there, lingering, gnawing at the edges of her happiness.

Later that afternoon, Elena ventured into the library, eager to explore more of her new home. The room was magnificent, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, their spines gleaming with gold lettering. She ran her fingers over the titles, breathing in the scent of old paper and polished wood.

She reached for a book on the top shelf, standing on her tiptoes, when a voice behind her made her jump.