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Chapter 4: The Enemy's Daughter
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2026-07-08 19:59:47Sophia Carter barely slept that night.
The message on her phone kept replaying in her mind. "Ask Alexander why he married the daughter of his enemy." The words were simple. But they carried a weight she couldn't ignore. Her father had always been the kindest man she knew. He had spent his entire life building a business honestly. He had taught her that success was earned, not stolen. So why would anyone call him an enemy? And why did Victoria Blackwood know something she didn't? Sophia sat on the edge of her bed as the morning sunlight entered through the curtains. For the first time since entering the Blackwood Mansion, she felt like a stranger in a place where everyone knew more about her than she knew about them. She picked up her phone and looked at her father's contact. She wanted to call him. She wanted to ask him everything. But she stopped. If there really was a secret, would he tell her? Or would he protect her by keeping it hidden? A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Mrs. Black?" Sophia turned. A maid stood outside. "Mr. Black asked you to join him for breakfast." Sophia nodded. "Thank you." She got ready and went downstairs. --- The dining room was enormous. A long table that could fit twenty people separated Sophia and Alexander. She found it strange. A husband and wife sitting like strangers. But then again... That was exactly what they were. Alexander was already there, reading something on his tablet. He looked up when she entered. "Good morning." "Good morning." Sophia sat down. For a few minutes, neither spoke. Finally, Alexander put the tablet away. "You look like you have something to ask." Sophia looked at him. He noticed everything. "I do." "Ask." She hesitated. Then she remembered the message. "Why did you marry me?" Alexander's expression didn't change. "I already told you." "You told me about the contract. Not the real reason." Silence. Sophia continued. "Last night, I heard Victoria talking." A slight change appeared in Alexander's eyes. "What did she say?" Sophia watched him carefully. "She said my father destroyed your family." The room became quiet. Even the servants nearby stopped moving. Alexander's face became serious. "Where did you hear that?" "That doesn't answer my question." He looked away. For a moment, he looked like a man fighting with himself. "My grandfather's company almost collapsed twenty years ago." Sophia listened carefully. "Someone leaked important information to competitors. The family lost billions." "And you think my father did it?" "I don't know." His answer surprised her. "You don't know?" "My memories from that time are incomplete. After my accident, many things became unclear." Sophia studied his face. "So you married me because you suspect my family?" "No." The answer came quickly. Too quickly. "Then why?" Alexander looked at her. "Because I believe you are not like your father." Sophia felt something strange. "You barely know me." "I know enough." She shook her head. "You always say that." "Because it is true." --- After breakfast, Alexander left for work. Sophia stayed in the mansion, trying to understand the situation. She needed answers. Not rumors. Not assumptions. The truth. She went to the library. If there was anything about the past, it would be there. The Blackwood family had existed for generations. There had to be records. She searched through old business books and documents. Hours passed. Then she found something. An old newspaper. The headline caught her attention. "Blackwood Corporation Faces Betrayal After Secret Information Leak." Sophia read the article. The person accused was never publicly revealed. But one name appeared repeatedly. William Carter. Her father's name. Her hands became cold. "No..." She read the article again. It couldn't be true. Her father couldn't have done this. Then a voice came from behind her. "What are you doing?" Sophia quickly turned. Alexander stood there. She hadn't heard him enter. He looked at the newspaper in her hands. His expression changed. "Where did you find that?" Sophia stood. "Is it true?" Alexander didn't answer. "Did my father really betray your family?" The question hung between them. Finally, Alexander walked closer. "I don't know." Sophia laughed bitterly. "Everyone keeps saying that." "Because nobody knows the full story." "Then why am I involved?" Alexander looked at her. "Because the person who destroyed my family disappeared after the incident." Sophia frowned. "What does that mean?" "It means someone else benefited from the betrayal." He took the newspaper from her hand. "Someone wanted both our families to hate each other." Sophia stared at him. "Are you saying my father might be innocent?" "I am saying we need the truth." Before Sophia could reply, Alexander's phone rang. He answered. A few seconds later, his face changed. "What happened?" He listened silently. Then he looked at Sophia. "It's your father." Her heart dropped. "What about him?" Alexander ended the call. "He was taken to the hospital." Sophia immediately stood. "What?" "The doctor says his condition suddenly became worse." Panic filled her. She grabbed her bag. "I'm going there." Alexander picked up his coat. "I'll take you." Sophia looked at him. "You don't have to." "I know." He walked toward the door. "But I'm coming." For some reason, those words made her feel less afraid. --- As they drove to the hospital, neither spoke. But both were thinking about the same thing. The past. The secrets. The connection between their families. When they arrived, Sophia rushed inside. But before she reached her father's room, she saw something that stopped her. A man standing outside. A man she had never seen before. But he was holding an old photograph. A photograph of her father... And Alexander's grandfather. Sophia slowly approached. "Who are you?" The man looked at her. Then at Alexander behind her. His face became pale. "You're finally here." Sophia frowned. "What do you mean?" The man handed her the photograph. On the back were four words written in old handwriting. "The truth was hidden." Sophia looked at Alexander. For the first time, both of them realized something. Their families' stories were connected. Not by hatred. But by a secret someone had spent twenty years trying to bury.
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