Serena woke on Saturday to the smell of fresh coffee—and voices. Deep, male, and unfamiliar. She slipped out of bed, tied her robe, and followed the sound to the kitchen.
Two men stood at the counter. One was older, tall, with the same piercing grey eyes as Elias, though softened by age. The other was younger, sharper, with a smile that looked more like a smirk. Elias stood between them, a mug in his hand, his expression unreadable.
"Ah, the new Mrs. Moreau," the older man said, turning to her. "I'm Robert Moreau—Elias's father. And this is my younger son, Adrian."
Serena forced a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you both."
Adrian's gaze swept over her with blatant curiosity. "So you're the woman who managed to convince my brother to marry."
Her cheeks warmed, but before she could respond, Elias cut in. "Enough, Adrian. We're not here to interrogate her."
Robert's eyes stayed on Serena. "We just came to see if the rumors were true. And to meet the woman who now carries the Moreau name."
The tension in the room was palpable. Serena could feel Elias's protectiveness in the way he subtly stepped closer to her, his arm brushing against hers.
Robert finally smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "We're having dinner at the family estate tonight. Both of you will come."
It wasn't an invitation—it was a command.
That evening, Serena found herself in the back of Elias's sleek black sedan once again, the city giving way to winding roads and iron gates. The Moreau estate was an imposing mansion of white stone, surrounded by manicured gardens and silent fountains.
Inside, the dining room was a picture of old-world luxury—crystal chandeliers, long polished table, silver gleaming under candlelight. The entire family was there: Robert at the head, Adrian lounging across from Elias, and several aunts and cousins Serena had never met.
The questions began almost immediately. How did they meet? When had they fallen in love? What was married life like?
Serena's heart pounded, but Elias's hand found hers under the table, his thumb stroking lightly over her knuckles. His touch grounded her, and together they wove a careful, believable story—how they'd met at a charity event, how he'd pursued her relentlessly, how she'd eventually said yes.
Robert listened intently, but his eyes were sharp, searching for cracks. Adrian, on the other hand, seemed amused, as if he knew something no one else did.
When dessert was served, Robert leaned back in his chair. "Marriage is a serious commitment, Serena. I hope you're prepared for the demands that come with being part of this family."
Serena met his gaze evenly. "I am. I knew what I was agreeing to when I said yes to Elias."
Something flickered in Robert's expression—approval, perhaps, or simple acknowledgment. Either way, the scrutiny eased.
As they left that night, Elias held the car door open for her. "You handled yourself well," he said.
She slipped into the seat, glancing at him. "Was that a test?"
He closed the door and moved to the driver's side. "Everything with my family is a test."