At the Blackwood Estate, the atmosphere was deceptively calm. The grand foyer gleamed with polished marble floors and crystal chandeliers that caught the morning light, casting rainbows across the walls lined with framed aviation memorabilia. In the sunlit sitting room, plush cream sofas and armchairs were arranged around a dark wood coffee table, where a silver tea set sat gleaming.

Mandy sat gracefully on one of the cushions, her posture elegant and practiced-back straight, shoulders relaxed, legs crossed neatly at the ankle. She wore a tailored cream dress that flowed to her knees, her dark hair styled in loose waves that framed her face perfectly. Across from her, Eleanor-Jayden's mother-carefully set down a cup of freshly brewed coffee on a delicate saucer before taking a seat beside her, a polite but slightly strained smile resting on her lips.

"You don't have to be so polite, Madam," Mandy said warmly, reaching out to take Eleanor's hands in hers. Her grip was tight-almost possessive-as she squeezed gently. "We're almost family now."

Eleanor's smile faltered-just slightly-as she tried to pull her hands away subtly. "Mandy..." she began cautiously, her voice soft but measured. "I mentioned to your mother the last time we spoke that... the marriage arrangement between our families has been cancelled."

For a brief moment, Mandy said nothing. Her expression remained perfectly composed, but her fingers tightened around Eleanor's hands until her knuckles turned white.

Then-

Her hand "accidentally" tilted, knocking against the coffee cup beside her. The ceramic slipped from its saucer, hot black coffee spilling across the polished wood table in a dark, spreading stain.

"Oh my God!" Mandy exclaimed quickly, rising halfway from her seat, her eyes wide with feigned alarm. "I'm so sorry-I'm so clumsy today! I'll clean it up right away-"

Eleanor reached out immediately, gently holding her hands to stop her. "No, no-don't worry about it," she said softly, guiding her to sit back down. "The staff will take care of it. Mandy... I heard from your mother that you went abroad for treatment. How is your condition now? Is it any better?"

Mandy's expression dimmed slightly, a shadow passing across her face. She released Eleanor's hands, folding her own in her lap. "It's still the same," she replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The doctors say there's only so much they can do-some things just take time."

Then, as if remembering something pleasant, her face brightened again, and she looked up at Eleanor with a warm smile. "But Jayden took very good care of me while I was overseas," she added lightly, her voice taking on a dreamy quality. "He called every week, sent me care packages... so you don't need to worry about me."

Eleanor's brows knitted together-confusion flickering across her face as she searched Mandy's eyes. "I... wasn't aware you and Jayden were that close. He never mentioned keeping in touch while you were away."

Mandy's smile stiffened, the corners of her lips twitching slightly. For a split second-just long enough for Eleanor to notice-her eyes shifted away, darting toward the window as if nervous.

Before she could respond-

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the moment. Gravel crunched under tires, followed by the soft thud of a door closing.

Mandy's face lit up instantly, her earlier discomfort vanishing completely. "Is Jayden back?" she asked, already rising to her feet, excitement clear in her voice as she smoothed down her dress.

Eleanor forced a small smile-but the moment Mandy turned away, that smile vanished completely, replaced with visible tension. She pressed her fingers to her temples, letting out a quiet sigh.

Mandy walked briskly toward the door, her steps light and eager. Just as she reached it-her hand on the polished brass handle-

The door opened from the outside.

Jayden stepped in, his jacket slung over one shoulder, his tie slightly loosened from a long morning of meetings. He paused when he saw Mandy, his expression remaining neutral.

"Oh, Jayden!" Mandy said, her tone turning soft and slightly pouty as she stepped closer to him. "Why did you come back without telling me? You didn't even inform me you were coming"

Jayden barely spared her a glance as he hung his jacket on the coat rack by the door. One hand slipped into his pocket, his expression calm-detached, almost cold.

"Miss Moore," he said coolly, finally turning to look at her. His dark eyes held no warmth, only a clear sense of distance. "We are not familiar enough for me to keep you informed of my movements."

The words landed heavily in the quiet foyer. Mandy's smile wavered, but she pressed on, as if she hadn't heard him.

"My mom asked me to check with you," she continued, her voice bright again despite the slight edge to it. "When would be a good day for our wedding? She's already looking at venues-there's a beautiful church just outside the city that's perfect for a spring ceremony."

Behind her, Eleanor turned away, walking toward the sitting room as she twisted her fingers together nervously. She didn't want to be part of this conversation-not again.

"I am already married," Jayden said flatly, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he met Mandy's eyes directly. "I told your parents this months ago, and I've made it clear to you as well. Continuing this conversation will only cause unnecessary trouble for both families."

Mandy's smile vanished.

Completely.

Her face hardened, her jaw tightening as she stared at him. Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. Then, slowly, she turned to face Eleanor, who had paused by the doorway, watching anxiously.

Her expression-no longer sweet or playful. Now edged with frustration and something that looked almost like anger.

"Madam..." she began, her voice low and steady.

Eleanor quickly stood up, forcing a smile as she stepped toward her, cutting her off. "Mandy," she said gently, taking Mandy's hands again-this time with a firmer grip. "You are a wonderful young woman, and your family means so much to us. You will definitely meet someone better-someone who can give you the life you deserve."

She even reached up, lightly tapping Mandy's nose in a playful gesture-trying to ease the tension, to smooth over the awkwardness.

Mandy let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"My mom is still waiting for me," she added, withdrawing her hands and stepping back toward the door. "I should go."

She turned, her movements stiff as she walked toward the entrance. Jayden stood still, watching her go, his expression unreadable.

Then-

Through the tall glass window beside the entrance-

He saw her.

Jane.

Walking up the long, luxurious path toward the estate, the morning sun illuminating her dark hair. She carried a thick file in one hand, her head held high as she made her way up the stone steps, completely unaware of what awaited her inside. She'd clearly come straight from work-still in her pilot uniform, her cap tucked into her pocket.

Jayden's eyes widened.

For the first time-

Real panic flickered across his face.

No-

As Mandy moved to pass him, reaching for the door handle-

He reached out suddenly and grabbed her arm, his grip firm enough to stop her but not to hurt her.

"Wait."

His voice was firm-unusual for him, carrying a note of urgency he rarely showed.

Mandy froze, startled, turning back to look at him with wide eyes.

Jayden's gaze remained fixed on the approaching figure outside, his jaw tight with worry.

"No..." he said under his breath, his fingers tightening slightly on her arm.

Then, more clearly-

"You can't leave yet."

Jayden turned sharply toward his mother, his expression tense and serious-every muscle in his jaw tight with barely contained panic.

Eleanor froze for a split second, her gaze flicking from his face to the window where Jane's figure was clearly visible on the stone path. Then immediately understood. The carefully maintained composure of a Blackwood matriarch fell into place, smooth as silk.

Without wasting another moment, she gently grabbed Mandy's arm, her touch warm and familiar. "Mandy, darling," she said sweetly, forcing genuine warmth into her voice even as her eyes darted toward the door, "why don't we go upstairs and talk for a while? We haven't seen each other in so long-I've been dying to hear about your work in Singapore. I hear you've been making quite a name for yourself in aerospace design."

Jayden cast Mandy a nervous glance, his fingers twitching at his sides-silently praying she wouldn't insist on staying, wouldn't notice the way his shoulders were coiled tight as a spring.

Outside the tall glass windows, Jane was already approaching the estate. Her steps were steady, purposeful-she'd walked this path once before when delivering a package for Bob, but today she seemed to move with more confidence, her uniform crisp, the file clutched neatly against her chest.

Closer.

Closer.

Eleanor quickly wrapped an arm around Mandy's shoulders and guided her toward the sweeping staircase, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. "How have you been lately?" she asked, peeking into Mandy's face with exaggerated interest as they ascended, her hand pressing gently to keep Mandy's gaze forward.

Mandy frowned slightly, casting a curious look back toward the foyer. "Is everything alright? I thought I heard someone at the door."

"Just the staff," Eleanor said smoothly, steering her around the banister. "Now tell me-have you met anyone nice over there? Your mother and I have been talking about grandbabies..."

Only after they disappeared around the corner and their voices faded up the stairs did Jayden finally exhale, the breath whooshing out of him like he'd been holding it underwater.

Immediately, he rushed toward the front door, his dress shoes silent on the polished floor. He bent slightly, peering through the peephole-his eye narrowing as he saw her standing there, her head tilted slightly as she studied the intricate carvings on the doorframe.

Outside-

Jane raised her hand and knocked lightly, three precise taps that echoed in the quiet morning air. "Mr. Blackwood?" she called politely from outside, her voice carrying clearly through the thick wood. "Are you home? I'm here to deliver some documents-Bob from operations asked me to bring them personally."

Jayden straightened abruptly, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his temples. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, mussing the carefully styled strands. Think, think-what would I do if I was actually at work right now?

Then suddenly-

An idea struck him.

Quickly, he grabbed at his throat as if clearing it, deliberately deepening his voice until it was several octaves lower, rougher than usual. "Leave them by the door," he replied, keeping his face pressed close to the wood so his voice would carry without her seeing him. "I'm in a meeting and can't be disturbed."

Outside, Jane blinked, her hand pausing mid-movement as she reached for the doormat. Her brows slowly knitted together, a small crease forming between them.

His voice...

Her thoughts stirred uneasily, a familiar cadence catching at the back of her mind. She'd spent enough evenings listening to Jayden talk, enough mornings hearing his voice carry from the kitchen to her bedroom-she'd know that rhythm anywhere, even distorted by a door and forced deepening.

Why does it sound so much like Jayden's?

"Mr. Blackwood," she called again, her voice firmer this time as she stepped closer to the door. "These documents require your signature-they're time-sensitive for the new safety protocols. I need to return them to the office afterward."

Inside-

Jayden mouthed silently: "Shit."

Now genuinely cornered, he looked around frantically, his eyes scanning the foyer for any possible way out of this. The grand clock in the hall ticked loudly-tick... tick... tick...-each second bringing her closer to the truth.

Just then-

The butler, Mr. Green, passed through the luxurious living room carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee, his movements as precise and practiced as always as he headed toward the stairs to bring it to Eleanor.

Jayden's eyes lit up immediately.

"Mr. Green-wait!" he called back to Jane through the door-"Just a moment!"-before hurrying toward the older man, his hand already reaching for his wallet.

Outside, Jane relaxed her shoulders slightly, adjusting the file under her arm. "Okay," she replied, though doubt still nagged at her. She glanced down at her wristwatch-her flight was tomorrow morning, but she'd promised Bob she'd get this done today.

"It's just a signing document," she muttered softly to herself, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Do I really need to wait this long? He could have just left instructions with his staff..."

A moment later-

The grand front door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Mr. Green stood there smiling awkwardly, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a noticeable tension that made his hands tremble slightly as he gripped the doorframe.

"Please come in, Miss Harley," he said politely, though his voice came out a little too high, a little too tight.

Jane paused on the doorstep, her eyes sweeping over him carefully. He was dressed in his usual formal butler's attire-black suit, white gloves, immaculate as always-but there was something off about his posture, the way he kept shifting his weight and avoiding direct eye contact.

Is this really Mr. Blackwood?

Her thoughts spiraled. She'd heard descriptions from colleagues-tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and eyes that could freeze you in place. Mr. Green was shorter, slimmer, with silver hair neatly combed back from his forehead.

He doesn't look anything like the descriptions I've heard...

Still, she nodded politely and stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind her with a soft finality that made her stomach twist slightly.

The estate was breathtaking-more so than she remembered from her last brief visit. High ceilings soared overhead, adorned with intricate moldings and crystal chandeliers that caught the morning light and scattered rainbows across the walls. Luxurious marble flooring-cream with gold veining-reflected the warm golden lights from wall sconces shaped like vintage airplanes. Original paintings of early aviation pioneers lined the hallway, their frames gleaming with gold leaf.

"Please, have a seat," Mr. Green said, gesturing toward one of the cream-colored velvet couches arranged around a dark wood coffee table polished to a mirror shine.

Jane sat gracefully, smoothing her uniform skirt as she did so. Her eyes continued to wander-over the grand piano in the corner, the display case filled with model airplanes, the Persian rug that must have cost more than her entire apartment.

Within seconds, Mr. Green returned carrying a silver tray with a delicate porcelain teacup, a small pitcher of cream, and a plate of handmade shortbread cookies.

"Miss Harley," he said with that same nervous smile, carefully setting the tray down on the table, "please have some tea."

"Thank you," Jane said, reaching for the cup. The porcelain was warm against her fingers, the scent of earl grey rising from the dark liquid.

But when she lifted her eyes-

Mr. Green was still standing directly beside her, smiling a little too wide, staring a little too long. The sudden, unexpected proximity startled her slightly, and her hand jerked involuntarily as she pulled the cup toward her.

Tea sloshed over the rim, spilling across the front of her crisp white uniform shirt in a dark, spreading stain.

"Oh-sorry!" Jane blurted immediately, setting the cup down with a soft clink and reaching for a napkin. "I didn't mean to-your standing there just surprised me, that's all."

"It's alright, it's alright," Mr. Green interrupted quickly, still smiling stiffly as he dabbed at the stain with another napkin. "No harm done. The restroom is down the hallway-first door on your left. You may clean up there."

Jane looked down at the dark blotch spreading across her chest and sighed softly. She'd been so careful to keep her uniform immaculate-now she'd have to explain this to her supervisor.

"...Thank you," she said, standing and smoothing down her skirt again. "I'll only be a moment."

She headed down the hallway, her shoes making soft clicking sounds against the marble. The moment she disappeared around the corner-

Jayden emerged immediately from the study, closing the door quietly behind him. He was already rolling up his sleeves, his tie slightly loosened.

Mr. Green quickly handed him the document, his hands still trembling. "Sir..." he whispered anxiously, wiping his brow with the back of his glove. "You know I'm not very good at lying-I nearly gave myself away just standing there."

But Jayden was already flipping through the file, his eyes scanning the pages urgently until he found the signature line at the back. He pulled a pen from his pocket-his personal fountain pen, the one he used for official documents-and scrawled his name in neat, precise script.

Within seconds, he signed it, then carefully initialed the required pages before handing the file back to Mr. Green. A relieved smile appeared on his face, the first genuine one he'd worn all morning.

"You did well," Jayden said calmly, clapping the older man on the shoulder. "Your bonus has been doubled."

Mr. Green looked both grateful and terrified, nodding quickly as he tucked the file under his arm. "Thank you, sir. I'll... I'll get this back to Miss Harley right away."

Just then-

Eleanor walked back into the living room, adjusting her pearl necklace as she went. "Has Jane left yet?" she asked absentmindedly, heading toward the coffee table to pour herself a cup of tea.

Jayden froze, his smile vanishing instantly.

Mr. Green's face paled to the color of cream, his eyes darting toward the hallway.

And at that exact moment-

Jane stepped out from the corridor, a damp cloth in her hand as she dabbed at the remaining stain on her shirt. She'd used cold water and soap from the bathroom, and while the mark was still visible, it was much lighter than before.

She stopped mid-step, her hand freezing at her chest.

Her eyes landed first on Eleanor. Then-

Her gaze shifted to Jayden, standing in the middle of the room, his pen still in his hand, his eyes wide with shock.

Time seemed to freeze. The grand clock in the hall stopped ticking. The air grew thick and still.

"Mom?" Jane called out, staring at Eleanor in astonishment. The resemblance was undeniable-same dark eyes, same high cheekbones, even the way she held her head when nervous was exactly like Jayden's.

Eleanor froze on the staircase, one foot still on the step above, her fingers tightening around the hem of her silk dress until the fabric wrinkled. "J-Jane..." she stammered awkwardly, forcing a smile onto her face that looked more like a grimace. "What a... lovely surprise to see you here."

Jane slowly turned toward Jayden, the same stunned expression still lingering in her eyes. The file she'd been holding felt suddenly heavy in her hand. "Jayden... what are you doing here? "

Jayden opened his mouth, but no words came out. His mind raced through a dozen different lies, but none of them felt right-not now, not with her looking at him like that.

"I..." Eleanor began nervously, scratching the back of her head as she took a small step down the stairs. She looked toward Jayden helplessly, her eyes wide with panic-silently begging him to save the situation before she said something irreversible.

But Jayden himself was already panicking internally, his hands growing clammy as he tried to think of anything-anything-that could explain his presence in the chief pilot's home.

At that exact moment, Mr. Green suddenly stepped forward smoothly, his movements deliberate and calm as he positioned himself between Jane and the staircase.

"Linda," Mr. Green called out firmly toward Eleanor, using the name he'd picked out in that split second of clarity. His voice carried the authority of someone used to managing a household.

Eleanor blinked in confusion for a second, her gaze flicking from Mr. Green to Jayden and back again.

"Did you finish cleaning the upstairs rooms yet?" he asked in a professional tone, his eyes holding hers with a look that clearly said play along.

The moment the words registered, understanding dawned in Eleanor's eyes, followed quickly by relief.

"Oh!" she exclaimed quickly, her voice brightening as she clasped her hands together. "Right... the cleaning. I was just on my way to finish dusting the master suite. Mr. Blackwood is very particular about keeping things spotless."

She turned toward Mr. Green and secretly flashed him a thumbs-up near her waist, hidden behind the folds of her dress.

Mr. Green gave the faintest nod in return, maintaining his calm, composed expression as he adjusted his gloves.

Jayden immediately looked at Mr. Green with deep appreciation in his eyes-silently thanking him for his quick thinking-before quickly turning back toward Jane. His expression shifted into something more relaxed, more familiar.

"Yeah," he said casually, walking over to wrap an arm around Eleanor's shoulder. "I forgot to tell you... my mom works here now."

Jane's expression softened instantly, the confusion melting away into something warm and understanding.

"I just came by to check on her," Jayden added with a reassuring smile, giving Eleanor's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Make sure she's not working too hard."

"Oh..." Jane murmured slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes as she looked from Jayden to Eleanor and back again. "That makes sense. I should have realized-"

"Jane," Eleanor interrupted hurriedly, afraid she might accidentally expose herself if the conversation continued any longer. She could feel her composure slipping, could feel the truth pressing against her teeth like something she was about to swallow whole. "I still have work upstairs, so I'll catch up with you another time. We can have dinner together soon-you can tell me all about your flights."

She gave Jane a bright, slightly forced smile before practically fleeing upstairs, her heels clicking rapidly against the marble steps until she disappeared around the corner.

Jayden immediately grabbed the opportunity, squeezing Jane's hand gently. "I'll wait outside for you," he said quickly. "Let you finish up with... Mr. Blackwood."

Jane watched him leave, a small smile on her face, before turning back toward Mr. Green.

"Ms. Harley," Mr. Green said warmly as he handed the signed documents back to her, his hands steady now that the immediate crisis had passed. "Everything is in order-"

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," Jane replied politely, bowing slightly as she accepted the files. She'd never met the actual chief pilot, but she'd heard enough to know he was respected throughout the airline. "Please tell him we appreciate his prompt attention to the safety protocols."

"You're welcome," he said, gesturing toward the door with a slight bow of his own. "Have a safe journey back to the city, Miss Harley."

Jane smiled politely and walked out of the mansion, her mind already moving through her to-do list for the next day. The lie had settled easily into place-she'd never been one to question things that made sense, and Jayden's explanation fit perfectly with everything she knew about his family.

Outside, Jayden was already waiting near the pathway leading toward the estate gates, his hands in his pockets as he watched the sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and pink. The evening breeze swept gently through the luxurious gardens, rustling the leaves of the manicured hedges and carrying the sweet scent of roses from the flower beds lining the walkway.

The two walked side by side hand in hand, their footsteps soft on the stone path. For a while, neither of them spoke-the silence comfortable, as it often was between them.

Then suddenly-

Jane stopped walking, pulling gently on his hand to make him turn toward her. The setting sun cast a warm glow over her face, making her eyes shine like dark amber.

"Jayden," she called softly, her voice serious but gentle.

Jayden's heartbeat skipped, a familiar knot forming in his stomach. He'd been waiting for this moment-waiting for her to ask the questions he couldn't answer. He slowly turned toward her, his expression careful, guarded.

"Be honest with me."

His expression dimmed immediately, the last of the sunlight seeming to drain from his face. He'd practiced this moment a hundred times in his head, but now that it was here, all the words he'd prepared vanished.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, lowering his gaze to where their hands were still joined. His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand. "I shouldn't have lied to you."

Jane stared at him seriously, her fingers tightening around his. She'd thought about this all the way from the mansion to the gate, had turned over every possible explanation in her mind.

"The truth is-" he began, his voice catching slightly.

"You're out of money, right?" she interrupted suddenly, her brows knitting together with genuine concern. "That's why your mom is working here, isn't it?-you're broke, and you didn't want me to know."

Jayden blinked, his head snapping up to look at her. The words hit him like a physical blow-not because they were true, but because they were so far from it. "...What?"

"So you're broke," Jane concluded, her expression softening with sympathy as she reached up to touch his cheek. "Why didn't you tell me? We're married-we're supposed to share these things."

"I have money," Jayden replied almost immediately, a helpless smile touching his lips as he squeezed her hand gently. He wanted to tell her-wanted to say I own the airline, I own this estate, I could buy us a dozen homes if you wanted-but the words stuck in his throat.

"Jayden," Jane said softly, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at him. "We're family now. We're supposed to face problems together. You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

Her thumb brushed against his cheek, warm and gentle. He could feel his chest tightening-tightening with guilt, with love, with the overwhelming desire to protect her from the complicated truth of his life.

"Why don't we bring Mom over to stay with us?" she suggested, her voice brightening with the idea. "We'll be able to take care of her-she won't have to work so hard for someone else."

Jayden's steps halted completely. For a second, he simply stared at her-at the woman who'd married him knowing nothing about his real life, who was now offering to take his mother in because she thought they were struggling financially.

Then he slowly looked away, a complicated smile appearing on his face-part sadness, part gratitude, part something else she couldn't quite read.

"But Mom has her own life," he said carefully, choosing his words with care. "She may not want to move in and... suffer with us."

Jane frowned immediately, pulling her hand from his to cross her arms over her chest. "Her current life is already difficult," she insisted, her voice firm with conviction. "Living under someone else's roof can never feel comfortable-no matter how nice they are. She's your mother-she should be with family."

Jayden's chest tightened hearing her defend his mother so earnestly, hearing her talk about family like it was the most important thing in the world. He'd spent his whole life surrounded by wealth and power, but never once had he felt like he belonged to something as real as what she was describing.

"But-" he began, trying to find a way to gently turn her down without revealing the truth.

"Jayden," Jane interrupted again, stepping closer until she was standing just inches from him. "If I told you today that I wanted to bring my own mother to live with us, would you refuse?"

"Of course not," he answered far too quickly, without even thinking. It was the truth-he'd never turn away someone she loved, never make her choose between him and her family.

Jane's smile immediately returned, bright and genuine as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Then it's settled.

Jayden stared at her silently, his hands coming to rest on her waist. He could feel the lie stretching between them, thin as spider silk but strong enough to hold up the world she believed in. And for a moment-just a moment-he let himself imagine it: