"No," he said smoothly, eyes still on the road. "We're going to my parents' house."
I choked on my own breath.
"Your parents' house?!"
Leo finally glanced at me after hearing my outburst.
"What? Why are you yelling?"
Why am I yelling? Is he stupid or what? Who wouldn't panic after being told they're suddenly meeting their fiancé's parents?
"Uh, don't you think it would've been better if you'd told me, I don't know, like, a day earlier?" I tried to sound polite.
"That's too much trouble. Besides, it's just lunch. We'll leave right after. Remember, don't talk too much," he said casually, his face completely unbothered.
The problem was… I had to pretend to be pregnant in front of Rhys Parent's this soon. I wasn't prepared!
I steadied my breathing. "Okay. So… what exactly did you tell them about us?"
"About us? What do you mean?"
"Like, anything. We're getting married in a few days, did you tell them why? Wait…did you say we're marrying because I'm pregnant?"
This is bad.
If his parents think that's the only reason, they'll treat me like some desperate tramp who trapped their son.
"Oh, that." He sounded so calm it almost made me dizzy. "I told them I'm in love with you. And also because you're pregnant, I didn't want to wait anymore."
He said he loved me?
Suddenly my chest ached.
"Did they believe you?" I asked softly.
"They don't have to." Leo clicked his tongue. "I tell them what I want to tell them. Don't overthink it, just play your role as my fiancée who's madly in love with me."His jaw tightened.
I exhaled and adjusted my posture.
Okay, Val. Just play it safe.
When we arrived at the Rhys estate, we were greeted by a group of suited men with earpieces.
The place was enormous, more like a palace than a house. The front yard alone could probably fit ten of my apartments.
I almost laughed at the thought, until my phone buzzed. Max
{Val, this is your chance to get close to the Rhys family. Gather whatever info you can.}
Right. This wasn't the time to worry about how his parents saw me.
Focus, Val. Find proof. Find who's guilty.
Leo cleared his throat, pulling me out of my thoughts. He handed me a small paper bag.
"Wear this," he said, eyes still fixed forward.
Inside were two jewelry boxes, one long, one small.
I opened the long one and found a gold necklace with a tiny swan pendant.
"Is this… for me? It's beautiful,"
He finally looked at me, took the necklace from my hand, and unclasped it.
"Turn around."
I obeyed, sweeping my hair aside. His hands brushed my neck as he fastened the clasp. His touch was natural, too natural, and his hands lingered on my shoulders for a heartbeat too long.
My pulse quickened. My breathing went uneven.
I stepped forward to put some distance between us.
"Uh… thanks, Leo."
He didn't respond. Instead, he picked up the smaller box, opened it, and revealed a ring, one I hadn't seen before. Definitely not the one Sebastian and I picked.
"Hand," he said simply, holding out his palm.
What, did he just order me around like a dog now?
Still, I placed my hand in his. He chuckled quietly.
"Sorry. I'm just used to saying that to Poppy."
"Poppy?"
"Yeah. Sebastian's beagle. She's adorable," he said, smiling faintly.
I didn't even know he could smile like that.
He seemed to realize I was staring, because the softness disappeared instantly.
He slid the ring onto my middle finger, then wore a matching one himself.
"Okay, let's go," he said with a sigh.
I nodded and stepped out of the car. Two guards immediately came forward to help me down. I smiled politely before turning toward the main entrance, where three figures stood waiting.
Jason Rhys. I'd only seen him on TV. Beside him stood a middle-aged woman, Eleanor Rhys, I assumed. And behind them, a face I recognized instantly, Nathan Rhys.
Well, welcome to the Rhys family, Val.
Leo walked beside me, reaching for my hand, though the gesture was so stiff it made me want to laugh. I looped my arm through his instead, trying to make it look natural.
"Oh my, you must be Emily Hart!" Eleanor exclaimed the moment we met. "You're even lovelier than I imagined."
Then she pulled me into a tight hug.
Her gaze dropped to my stomach. "And this must be my grandchild?" she said warmly, brushing my belly with her hand.
My breath caught.
"Mom, careful. Emily looks terrified," Nathan joked dryly.
I could only smile awkwardly.
Jason, meanwhile, hadn't stopped staring at me.
"Ah… Mr. Rhys, it's nice to meet you in person," I said, forcing my politest voice.
He cleared his throat. "So… you're Leonardo's new secretary?"
Eleanor swatted his arm. "Oh, don't mind him, dear. He's just excited. Leo's never brought a girlfriend home before, so this is a big deal for Jason." She whispered the last part like a secret.
I smiled, pretending to find it endearing.
We all moved toward the dining room, a vast, echoing space centered around a long table covered with extravagant dishes.
"This looks amazing, Mr. and Mrs. Rhys," I said sincerely, trying to sound calm even though my heart was pounding.
Eleanor laughed softly.
I glanced at Leo, who looked utterly disinterested.
I hooked my arm around his again, forcing his attention.
He sighed… then pressed a light kiss to my forehead.
So sudden it made me flinch. Leo then let go of my hand and pulled out a chair for me.
Ah shit…I could feel every eye in the room turned to us.
If family lunches were supposed to be warm, this one felt like we were dining at the Arctic. Everyone is just so cold.
Maybe it was just me, but the tension was real.
"You know, Mom," Nathan said suddenly, "I actually planned to ask Emily out first."
"Oh, really?" Eleanor teased, smiling. Nathan chuckled in return.
Then Eleanor looked at me. "Did you know Jonathan wanted to court you?"
Excuse me? I was literally here as Leonardo's fiancée. Why was she teasing me like this?
"Uh, I didn't really notice. Jonathan just likes to joke around," I said lightly, playing along.
"What? I was definitely flirting every time we met," Nathan said between bites of steak.
Eleanor laughed again. I still didn't know what was funny.
Then Nathan's tone shifted, just slightly.
"But Leo's always like that, you know? He takes everything that's supposed to be mine."
The room fell silent.
Even Eleanor stopped smiling.
I glanced at Leo beside me. He didn't move, didn't even look up from his plate.
What the hell are you staring at so seriously, Leo? Could he at least say something?
"Don't," Nathan added, making me look at him again. "Don't ask Leo, or he'll smash your head until you—"
BANG!
Jason slammed his palm on the table, making the plates rattle.
The room went completely still. Even the waiters froze, then quickly retreated to the kitchen.
"That's enough, Jonathan," Jason said coldly.
Nathan went silent instantly.
The already-tense atmosphere somehow grew even heavier.
"So," Jason said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "Emily, how long have you worked at Rhys Tech?"
Eleanor shot him a look that could kill.
I glanced at Leo, again, who was casually sipping his wine.
I cleared my throat. "About three months," I said, my hands trembling slightly after that outburst.
Jason nodded slowly.
Then, almost lazily, he said, "You should just quit."
He stood up and left the table without waiting for anyone's response.
I sat frozen. What the hell is going on?