The dining hall looked like something out of royalty.
A long polished table. Crystal glasses. Golden chandeliers. Perfectly arranged plates.
And too many eyes.
Talia sat beside Adrian, her hands folded tightly on her lap. Around them sat people who clearly belonged to his world — elegant men, glamorous women, sharp smiles hiding sharper judgments.
She could feel it.
They were assessing her.
"Adrian, darling!" a woman with perfectly styled blonde hair said brightly. "You never told us your wife was so… young."
Wife.
The word still felt heavy.
"This is my aunt, Victoria," Adrian said calmly.
Victoria's smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Victoria Blackwood."
"Talia," she replied politely. "Nice to meet you."
Victoria's gaze swept over her dress, her posture, her face — as though searching for flaws.
"And what exactly do you do, dear?" Victoria asked.
Talia opened her mouth to answer, but another woman cut in.
"She's probably just enjoying Adrian's money," a voice said lightly.
Soft laughter spread around the table.
Talia's chest tightened.
Adrian's expression didn't change — but his jaw did.
The woman who had spoken leaned back confidently. She was stunning. Too stunning. Dark hair. Sharp eyes. Dangerous smile.
"And you are?" Talia asked calmly.
The woman tilted her head slightly. "Serena Vale."
The name landed like thunder.
The jealous ex.
Serena's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Adrian and I were together for three years," she added sweetly. "Practically inseparable."
Silence followed.
Everyone watched Talia now.
Waiting to see her reaction.
Her heart pounded, but she kept her face calm.
"That must have been a long time ago," Talia said evenly.
Serena's smile faltered for a split second.
"Not really," she replied smoothly. "Some things are hard to let go of."
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Victoria cleared her throat. "Well, we're just happy Adrian finally settled down."
Settled down.
Talia forced a small smile.
Dinner continued, but every question felt like a test.
Where did you grow up?
What does your family do?
Do you even understand Blackwood traditions?
It felt less like dinner and more like interrogation.
Then Serena leaned closer.
"So tell me," she said softly. "Do you love him?"
The table went still.
Every eye turned to Talia.
Love.
That word.
Her pulse thundered.
She glanced at Adrian briefly. His face was calm, unreadable. But his eyes were fixed on her.
Waiting.
Talia inhaled slowly.
Then she smiled.
"I respect him," she said calmly. "And I'm grateful to be his wife."
A safe answer.
Neutral.
The room relaxed slightly.
But Serena didn't look satisfied.
She leaned back, studying Talia like prey.
"This marriage won't last," she said quietly, just loud enough. "Adrian doesn't stay with anyone forever."
Something inside Talia twisted.
Before she could respond, Adrian finally spoke.
"That's enough, Serena."
His voice was calm, but cold enough to freeze the room.
Serena blinked, surprised.
"I don't recall inviting you to comment on my marriage."
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Serena's confident smile slowly faded.
"I was only being honest," she said.
"I don't need your honesty," Adrian replied flatly. "I need your respect."
Talia's heart skipped.
He was defending her.
The rest of the table sat stunned.
Victoria quickly changed the subject, but the atmosphere had shifted.
When dinner finally ended, Talia excused herself and stepped into the hallway, her heart still racing.
She let out a shaky breath.
She had survived.
Or so she thought.
"Not bad," a voice said behind her.
She turned.
Serena stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"You held your own," Serena admitted. "Most girls would have broken."
"I'm not most girls," Talia replied calmly.
Serena studied her for a long moment.
Then she smiled again — slow, dangerous.
"You think this is a real marriage?" she asked quietly.
Talia didn't answer.
"You're a contract," Serena continued softly. "A temporary solution to his problems. When he's done using you, he'll throw you away."
The words struck deeper than Talia wanted to admit.
Serena stepped closer.
"And when that happens," she whispered, "I'll still be here."
Talia's chest tightened.
Before she could respond, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Adrian appeared.
Serena instantly stepped back, her expression innocent.
"We were just talking," she said sweetly.
Adrian's eyes flicked between them.
His gaze lingered briefly on Talia.
"Leave," he said to Serena.
The single word held absolute authority.
Serena hesitated, then smiled tightly and walked away.
Silence filled the hallway.
Talia looked at Adrian.
"You didn't have to defend me," she said quietly.
"Yes, I did."
"Why?"
He studied her for a moment, then answered simply.
"Because you're my wife."
The words sent an unexpected shiver through her.
Not the contract.
Not the agreement.
Not the arrangement.
My wife.
And for the first time since signing the contract, Talia felt something dangerously unfamiliar in her chest.
Something that felt a lot like the beginning of trouble.