Maya's family believes the marriage is real—and Adrian plays the role perfectly.
The message arrived at 7:12 a.m.
Mother: We're in the city. Thought we'd surprise you.
Maya stared at her phone, dread blooming in her chest.
"They can't come today," she murmured.
Adrian looked up from his tablet. "Who can't?"
"My family."
He blinked once. "Define family."
"My parents. My aunt. Possibly my younger cousin who asks inappropriate questions."
Adrian set the tablet aside. "When?"
"They're already here."
Silence stretched.
Then Adrian stood. "How much time do we have?"
"An hour," she said weakly.
"Good," he replied. "That's plenty."
"For what?"
"To be married."
Maya's parents arrived with warmth and noise and the unmistakable smell of home-cooked food carried in containers.
"Maya!" her mother exclaimed, pulling her into a hug the moment the door opened. "You've lost weight."
"I'm fine, Mommy."
Her father followed, eyes already scanning the penthouse—impressed but careful not to show it. "So this is where you live now."
"Yes," Maya said.
"And this must be Adrian," her aunt said brightly, stepping past Maya to shake his hand. "We've heard so much."
Adrian smiled.
Not his polite smile. Not his boardroom smile.
A real one.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you," he said, bowing his head slightly.
"Please—come in."
Maya stared.
Who are you and what have you done with my husband?
Within minutes, Adrian had taken bags, offered tea, and seated everyone comfortably. He listened attentively as her mother spoke, laughed at her aunt's jokes, and asked her father about his health with genuine concern.
"You didn't tell us he was this… courteous," her aunt whispered to Maya.
Maya whispered back, "Neither did I."
At lunch, Adrian insisted on helping serve.
"You don't have to," Maya said under her breath.
"I want to," he replied easily.
Her mother noticed.
So did everyone else.
"So," her father said eventually, folding his hands. "How did you two meet?"
Maya tensed.
Adrian answered without missing a beat. "At a conference. She corrected a flaw in my proposal in front of everyone."
Her father's brows lifted. "You married a woman who challenged you?"
Adrian smiled fondly. "That's exactly why."
Maya felt heat rush to her face.
Her mother beamed. "That's lovely."
It wasn't a lie.
That scared her.
After lunch, her mother pulled Adrian aside.
"I worry about her," she said quietly. "She's always been strong. Too strong."
Adrian's expression softened. "She doesn't have to be strong alone anymore."
Maya overheard.
Her chest tightened.
Later, as evening approached, Maya's cousin cornered Adrian in the living room.
"So," he said grinning, "who fell first?"
Maya choked on her water.
Adrian didn't even hesitate. "I did."
Silence followed.
Maya stared at him.
Her cousin laughed. "I knew it."
Adrian glanced at Maya then—just for a second.
His eyes said for them.
His heart said something else.
When her family finally left, hugs and blessings trailing behind them, the penthouse fell quiet again.
Maya stood near the window, arms crossed. "You didn't have to do all that."
"Yes," Adrian said. "I did."
She turned to him. "Why?"
"Because they matter to you."
"And?" she pressed.
"And I wanted them to feel at peace," he said simply.
She searched his face. "You were… perfect."
He exhaled. "That's the problem."
"The problem?"
"I didn't pretend," he admitted quietly.
The truth settled between them—warm and terrifying.
Across the city, Victor Hale received a message with photos attached.
They look real.
Victor smiled.
Because now, the illusion was convincing everyone.
Even them.
Next: Chapter 19 - Cracks in the Armor
Everyone believed the marriage was perfect—
but when the lights went out, Adrian's armor finally began to crack.
Tonight | 11:30 PM – 12:30 AM