His fake bride, His real obsession novel

Distant Waves Whisper by Austen 3 Summary In Chapter 3 of "Distant Waves Whisper," the Blackwood family's monthly banquet brings tension and anxiety for Eleanor, who arrives alone, knowing her husband Julian is absent. As she enters the lavish dining hall, her mother-in-law, Helen Blackwood, immediately confronts her about Julian's whereabouts, leading to a confrontation that reveals the underlying animosity Helen holds towards Eleanor.

The situation escalates when a newspaper reveals a scandalous image of Julian kissing another woman, prompting Helen to punish Eleanor harshly for her perceived failures in keeping her husband in check. Eleanor's submission to Helen's authority leads her to choose punishment over calling Julian back, a decision that reflects her deep emotional turmoil and sense of loyalty to Julian, even at the cost of her own well-being. The punishment is brutal, leaving Eleanor unconscious and hospitalized, where she is faced with Julian's cold demeanor and a painful realization of her sacrifices for him.

Despite his initial indifference, Julian's concern for Eleanor grows during her recovery, marking a shift in their relationship dynamics. As Eleanor prepares to leave the hospital, Julian's abrupt departure for work leaves her feeling abandoned yet again. The encounter with a disdainful stranger highlights Eleanor's struggles with her identity and status within the Blackwood family, further emphasizing her isolation. Julian's protective instincts surface when he intervenes, revealing his growing awareness of Eleanor's hardships and the lack of support she receives from both families.

The tension escalates when they encounter Sophia, who confronts Julian about his lies, leading to a heartbreaking scene that leaves Eleanor feeling betrayed and confused. Just as Eleanor grapples with her emotions, a sudden and tragic accident occurs, shattering the moment and plunging her into chaos. The chapter concludes with Eleanor caught in a whirlwind of emotions, uncertainty, and the looming consequences of their tangled relationships.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **TITLE: Distant Waves Whisper by Austen 3** **Chapter 3** A week passed, and with it came the much-anticipated monthly Family Banquet of the Blackwood clan. The air was thick with expectation, and the grand dining hall was adorned with extravagant floral arrangements and glittering chandeliers. Eleanor, however, felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she prepared to attend alone; Julian, her husband, would not be by her side. As she stepped into the lavishly decorated room, the atmosphere shifted.

Helen Blackwood, her mother-in-law, spotted her and her face darkened like a storm cloud. "Where is Julian?" she demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut through the festive chatter. Eleanor's heart sank, and she instinctively lowered her gaze, avoiding the piercing scrutiny of Helen's eyes. "He's busy and can't come back for now," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Helen's lips curled into a sneer, and she opened her mouth to retort when the butler hurried over, his expression grave as he handed her an entertainment newspaper.

The headline was glaringly bold, showcasing a photograph of Julian and Sophia locked in a passionate kiss on a yacht, the sun glinting off the waves behind them. "Smack!" Helen's chopsticks clattered violently against the table, her fury palpable. "Alina!" she barked, her voice thick with contempt. "Follow me to the study!" Eleanor's heart raced as she followed Helen into the study, a room that always felt more like a cage than a place of solace. The moment the door closed behind them, Helen's voice rang out like thunder.

"Kneel!" Without protest, Eleanor knelt, the cool wooden floor pressing against her knees. "Useless!" Helen spat, her face contorted with rage. "You can't even keep your own husband in line!" Eleanor felt a cold shiver run down her spine as Helen's words pierced through her like daggers. "I'll give you two choices now," Helen continued, her voice low and menacing. "Either call him back immediately, or... face the family disciplinary punishment!" Eleanor's eyelashes fluttered as she weighed her options. Deep down, she understood that even if she called, Julian wouldn't return.

The thought of disturbing his precious time with the woman he adored twisted her stomach in knots. If she angered him, the delicate business partnership between their families could crumble. "I choose the family disciplinary punishment," she said softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Helen's eyes flared with disbelief. "Say that again?!" "I choose the family disciplinary punishment," Eleanor repeated, lifting her gaze to meet Helen's fierce glare.

"Go ahead." In a fit of rage, Helen snatched a whip from the wall, its leather glistening ominously in the dim light, and lashed it across Eleanor's back with a vicious crack! "Are you going to call him?!" Helen screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. "Crack!" "Are you going to call him?!" Helen demanded again, her anger unrelenting. "Crack!" Eleanor bit down hard on her lip, the searing pain spreading across her back like wildfire, but she resolutely shook her head. The agony intensified, and soon, her vision blurred, darkness creeping in as she succumbed to unconsciousness.

When she regained her senses, she found herself lying face down on a hospital bed, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling her nostrils. Her back was swathed in bandages, a painful reminder of her punishment. Julian sat beside her, his brow furrowed in concern, though his demeanor remained cold. "Mother gave you a hard time. Why didn't you call me back?" he asked, his voice devoid of warmth. Eleanor managed a weak smile, her heart heavy. "I didn't want to disturb your date with Ms. Reed," she replied, each word laced with a tinge of sorrow.

Julian froze, his expression shifting as he processed her words. He recalled the nurse's earlier comment: "Because she loves Mr. Blackwood so much, she's even willing to take care of the person he likes..." The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. She... loved him that much? Enough to endure punishment rather than disrupt his happiness? A strange, unfamiliar feeling bloomed in Julian's chest, a mixture of guilt and admiration. For the next few days, he stayed at the hospital, an unusual tenderness replacing his typical aloofness as he tended to her needs.

Eleanor insisted he didn't have to remain, but he refused to budge, his presence a steady anchor amidst the storm of her thoughts. Finally, the day of her discharge arrived. Just as they were about to leave, Julian received a sudden phone call regarding an urgent matter at the company. "Go back on your own," he said curtly, turning on his heel to rush off. Eleanor nodded, her heart sinking slightly as she watched him leave. She slowly made her way out of the hospital, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the past few days.

As she stepped down the stairs, she collided with someone unexpectedly. "Are you blind?!" the person snapped, their voice dripping with disdain. "Do you have any idea how expensive this outfit is? Dressed so shabbily, can you even afford to pay for it?!" Just as Eleanor opened her mouth to apologize, a cold, commanding voice sliced through the air from behind her. "Get lost." Julian had emerged from his car, his presence radiating authority as he tossed a wad of cash in the person's direction. "Is this enough?" he demanded, his voice low and threatening.

The individual, about to unleash another tirade, faltered at the sight of Julian's imposing figure and quickly retreated, their bravado evaporating. Julian turned to Eleanor, his expression hardening. "Alina, didn't the Vance family or the Blackwood family provide you with any money? Why are you dressed like this?" Eleanor fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on her. The Vance family had never extended their financial support to her, and although the Blackwood family possessed a black card, she had never been granted access to it, not truly being the Mrs.

Blackwood they expected. Seeing her silence, an inexplicable anger ignited within Julian. He seized her arm, pulling her toward the car. "We're going to buy clothes," he declared, determination lacing his tone. In the upscale department store, Julian selected several couture outfits for her, each piece more extravagant than the last, their prices astronomical. Eleanor followed him like a puppet, her emotions dulled as she complied with his choices. As they were about to exit the store, a trembling voice called out, halting them in their tracks.

"Julian?" Eleanor looked up to see Sophia standing nearby, still clad in her waitress uniform, her eyes wide and red-rimmed with disbelief. "Didn't you say you were in a meeting at the office?" she questioned, her voice quivering. Julian's expression shifted, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. "Sophia..." he began, but the words faltered. "You don't have to love me..." Sophia's tears began to spill over, her voice breaking. "But how could you lie to me? I shouldn't have come back. I'm interrupting you..." With those heart-wrenching words, she turned and fled.

"Sophia!" Julian called out, instantly chasing after her, leaving Eleanor standing there, rooted in place, her heart a turbulent sea of emotions. But just as she processed the scene unfolding before her, a loud crash echoed through the air. "Bang!" Glass shattered from high above, cascading down like deadly rain, landing directly on Sophia's head. She didn't even have a moment to scream before collapsing into a pool of crimson, the world around Eleanor spiraling into chaos.

Conclusion In the aftermath of the banquet and the harrowing events that followed, Eleanor found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to consume her. The pain inflicted by Helen was not just physical; it echoed the deeper wounds of betrayal and neglect that had been festering within her marriage. Yet, in her darkest moment, Eleanor displayed a strength that surprised even herself. Choosing punishment over the possibility of disrupting Julian's fleeting happiness with Sophia became a testament to her love-a love that was both a source of pain and resilience.

As she lay in the hospital bed, the flicker of Julian's concern ignited a fragile hope within her heart, even as she recognized the chasm that lay between them. However, the chaos that erupted in the department store shattered that hope in an instant. The sight of Julian chasing after Sophia left Eleanor feeling utterly abandoned, her heart breaking further as the glass rained down in a cruel twist of fate. In that moment, she understood the fragility of their relationship and the perilous balance of love and loyalty they were navigating.

The tension between duty and love will take center stage as Eleanor grapples with her own feelings of jealousy and concern for Julian's well-being, all while the specter of family expectations looms larger than ever. Moreover, the aftermath of the accident will undoubtedly ripple throughout the Blackwood family. In the wake of such a traumatic incident, will Eleanor find herself further entangled in the family drama, or will she seize this moment to assert her independence?