She evaluates me with a piercing gaze as if sizing me up to see if I’m fit to be her son’s wife.
I shake it off and square my shoulders, take a deep breath, stretch my hand, and say, “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Suddenly, her face brightens into a warm smile, and she pulls me into a hug. I’m startled that she accepts me with open arms.
“Logan, are you sure about her being your wife?” she asks, needing to confirm she heard correctly.
“Yes, Mother, she is my wife. We’ve been married for quite some time now,” he explains, looking at me with emotions I can’t put into words, with Logan one can’t be sure he draws me closer and kisses me softly on the lips.
It’s like my heart stops breathing for a while as I stand there frozen taking in his kiss slowly and steadily like I have been expecting it.
Logan’s kiss lingers, leaving me breathless, my heart racing with emotions, I can’t put into words. I wonder if he feels this strange pull between us or if it’s just an act for him.
“Oh, stop it, you lovebirds, and come inside,” she says playfully, leading the way as we follow her into the house.
I’m surprised she doesn’t question his sudden marriage, especially since he didn’t bother to include his family in the ceremony. It’s as if they’ve resigned to fate when it comes to matters that concern Logan.
As we enter, Logan leans in and whispers, “Nice one, Nadine. You did well,” he says in a casual way like the kiss is a normal thing between us, his expression still has that aura of arrogance I am used to.
I nod, still reeling from the kiss we just shared in front of his mother. Part of me wishes he’d given me a heads-up, but I push the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.
We step into a grand living room that exudes opulence, making me wonder just how wealthy these people are. A man sits on one of the couches, flipping through channels until he pauses on a stock market discussion.
He’s so absorbed that he doesn’t notice us at first. Logan’s mother approaches him, and their eyes meet with love that speaks volumes; it’s clear their love for each other still burns brightly despite their age.
I long for that kind of connection in my own life. But right now my life sucks.
Logan cringes slightly, seeing the way his dad looks at his mum. “Good evening, Dad.”
His father looks up, asking, “How are you, son?”
“Very well, sir,” Logan replies, stepping closer to his dad with me at his side.
“And who is this breathtakingly beautiful young lady?” his father asks, with a loving smile directed at me.
I feel my cheek burning red with embarrassment. I wish Logan could smile like that more often.
Despite their striking resemblance, he has only his mother’s gray eyes while his father’s are a piercing blue.
He must have broken so many hearts growing up. Who knows if he’s still breaking hearts? He’s still quite handsome.
“Dad, this is my wife. I wanted to surprise you guys,” Logan announces, breaking the moment of silence.
“You sure did surprise us,” his father replies, standing to draw me into a warm embrace. I return the hug, scanning the room for the rest of the family.
Soon Logan and his dad dive into business talk, I find myself alone with Logan’s mother.
Unsure how to start a conversation, I’m grateful for the comfort between us.
“Come with me,” she suddenly says, catching Logan’s attention.
I see the reminder in Logan’s eyes, urging me to stick to our agreed-upon story. I nod silently just as his father reassures him, “Take it easy, son. She’s not running off. Florence just wants to have a word with her.”
As I walked with Florence to another living room, I noticed Logan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
She gestures for me to sit, and I do so with a grateful smile, saying, “Thank you.”
With a warm look, she says, “Thank you for accepting to be with my son.”
I hadn’t expected that, so I just nodded.
“Behind all those stoic facades, he’s a softie. He loves easily but hasn’t been lucky in love,” she continues. “I want you to promise me that you will love him unconditionally and be by his side through thick and thin.”
I look at her, not sure how to respond to her request. How can I make such a promise when our charade is based on a two-year contract, with the possibility of parting ways once I fulfill my role in providing him with an heir?
Despite the uncertainty, I smile brightly and gently squeeze her hand. “I’ll try to be the best for him,” I say softly.
She nods, “Thank you.”
We continue talking, and Florence brings out an album with funny pictures from Logan’s childhood. I laugh at how adorable and innocent he looks in each snapshot.
“Can I have my wife back, please?” Logan interrupts, his expression unreadable as he looks at me.
I glance at him, unsure of what to make of his sudden request.
“Logan, why?” Florence protests, holding onto my hand to keep me from moving. “I was just starting to bond with my daughter-in-law.”
I exchange a puzzled look with Logan, wondering what prompted his interruption.
Logan takes my other hand, pulling me up and closer to him until our bodies collide. I can feel his warmth radiating against mine as he looks at me, his gaze flickering between my eyes and my lips. Is he thinking about the kiss we just shared? The thought sends a shiver through me.
“We need to rest before the others arrive,” he announces, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
I glance back at his mother, sorry at the thought of leaving her so soon. But she waves it off with a smile. “Don’t worry, dear. You can go with your man. I can see he’s smitten with you.”
“Mother,” Logan says, with an edge to his tone, and gently guides me away from her presence.
He leads me back to the living room, where his father remains engrossed in the stock market. I notice a grand staircase leading upstairs.
Just as we’re about to ascend the stairs, the front door swings open, and my attention snaps to the entrance. Three men and two women enter, their presence commanding the room.
I glance at each of them, noticing the unmistakable resemblance they share. Then, in an instant, my eyes widen, my throat tightens, and a chill runs down my spine as I recognize one of the men.
“No, this can’t be…” I whisper, barely audible.