Family Secret

Chapter 19

Dinner was quiet, the clink of silverware and the occasional soft murmur of conversation filling the room. Nate sat at the head of the table, ever watchful, eyes occasionally flicking to the twins. Alexia moved through the meal with effortless grace, keeping the atmosphere from feeling too heavy, even when Nate’s silence pressed down like a weight.

Afterward, the family shifted into their nighttime routine. Ryan and Kyan padded down the hallway, the floor creaking faintly beneath their small feet, before slipping into their shared bedroom. The room was simple but warm—two beds opposite each other, a dresser against the wall, a scattering of toys and coloring books tucked in corners.

Alexia followed them in, a soft smile touching her lips. She tucked Kyan beneath her blanket first, gently brushing her dark hair back from her face. “Sweet dreams, my little one,” she whispered.

Kyan giggled, clutching her doll tight. “I’ll dream of Agent Wolf,” she said, holding the doll up like a hero. “He always wins.”

Alexia chuckled quietly, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning to Ryan. He was sitting rigidly on the edge of his bed, his small hands twisting the blanket between his fingers. His eyes were downcast, staring at the floor.

“Ryan,” Alexia said softly, kneeling so her gaze was level with his. “What is it?”

He shrugged, not meeting her eyes. “It’s just… school.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “What if I don’t fit in? What if I mess up? What if…” His words trailed off into silence, his throat tightening.

Alexia’s expression softened. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine,” she said firmly, her voice carrying a quiet strength. “You’re stronger than you think, Ryan. Smarter too.”

Ryan’s chest tightened at her words. He wanted to believe her—needed to—but fear still gnawed at him.

Across the room, Kyan flopped back onto her bed, her doll dangling loosely in her hand. “Don’t worry, Ry,” she said in her singsong tone. “We’ll be fine.” She giggled, rolling onto her side without a care in the world.

Ryan frowned, glancing at her, then sighed as Alexia gently pushed him to lie back. She pulled the blanket over him, smoothing it out with a mother’s touch. “Try to sleep,” she said softly. “Tomorrow will come whether you worry or not.”

Ryan nodded faintly, his eyelids heavy. Alexia brushed his hair back from his forehead and lingered for just a second longer before standing. She crossed the room, switching off the light.

The room sank into soft shadows, the only sound Kyan’s quiet humming as she played with her doll’s hair. Ryan stared at the ceiling for a long time, nerves twisting in his stomach.

But slowly, inevitably, both children drifted into sleep.

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Nate lay flat on his back in bed, staring at the ceiling with the little black box resting in his palm. The moonlight from the window caught the edges of it, the faint gleam making the small thing seem far heavier than it should. He turned it over slowly, his thumb brushing the seam where it opened, his mind restless.

He thought of earlier that day—of the way men’s eyes had trailed after Alexia everywhere they went. Married men, single men, old men, young men. Every one of them had stolen a glance, some bolder than others. It shouldn’t have mattered. He told himself it didn’t matter. But for some reason, it did.

He clenched his jaw, justifying the irritation as practical concern. If she started engaging with them, if she so much as entertained their attention, it would jeopardize the mission. Their cover. Their entire arrangement. That’s what it was—nothing more. Just a professional worry.

Except she hadn’t entertained them. She’d ignored the stares, the whispers, the passing comments. And when the salesman had tried to make a move, she hadn’t smiled politely or brushed it off. No—she had scoffed. She had walked straight to Nate, linking herself to him, making it known she was already taken.

Taken.

His mind wrestled with that. Again, he forced justification. She’d done it because she understood the terms of their agreement. This “marriage” was nothing more than a cover story—for the children to get into the academy, and to keep the Secret Service off her back. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t meant to be real.

Nate had been in countless “relationships” before. Temporary, fabricated, sometimes physical, sometimes not. All for the sake of a mission. He’d worn the mask so long it was second nature. None of them had mattered. This shouldn’t have either.

So why was he feeling… something?

With a frustrated sigh, he sat up and swung his legs off the bed. He needed water, maybe something stronger, but water would do.

He slipped quietly downstairs, the little black box still clutched in his hand. The kitchen was dim, the shadows long. He set the box down on the island, its presence somehow louder than the silence around him. He turned toward the cupboard for a glass.

That’s when it happened.

The faintest shift in the air. A presence behind him. No sound, no footsteps—no one ever crept up on him. No one. But he caught it, not with his ears, but with his nose. A scent. Fresh apples and vanilla.

He spun quickly, muscles tensing.

Alexia stood there.

Her oversized black sweatshirt slid casually off one shoulder, revealing a long, tan, flawless neckline. Her blonde hair was twisted up into a messy bun, wisps framing her face, making her look effortlessly undone. The hem of the sweatshirt hung high, just barely covering the short shorts underneath. Her legs—smooth, tan, thick and toned—caught the faint light, making it hard for him to look away.

He swallowed hard, forcing his gaze back to her face.

Alexia’s eyes lingered on him too, taking in his grey sweatpants and his bare chest, the sharp lines of muscle beneath his skin. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes flickered briefly, betraying she’d noticed.

She cleared her throat softly. “Sorry… didn’t mean to startle you.”

Nate straightened, covering the slip of his composure. “You didn’t startle me,” he replied smoothly, though his accent thickened slightly. “I just wasn’t expecting anyone to be awake at this hour.” He glanced at the clock. Nearly 2 a.m.

Her lips curved faintly. “I don’t sleep much.”

The corner of his mouth tugged into the smallest smile. “Neither do I.”

For a moment, silence stretched. Just the two of them standing in the kitchen, staring at one another as though both were waiting for the other to speak.

Then Nate’s eyes flickered to the island—and the little black box. His stomach dropped.

He reached for it quickly, clearing his throat. “Oh, um… these are for you.” He held it out, awkward, uncharacteristically uncertain. “The rings.”

Alexia’s lips curved into a smirk, one brow arching. “Aren’t you supposed to get down on one knee or something?”

For the first time in a long time, Nate hesitated. His breath caught. He actually considered it, for a second, before realizing how absurd it was.

Alexia chuckled softly at his silence. She reached forward, her fingers brushing his as she took the box. The brief touch sent an unexpected tingling through him, sharp and electric.

“I’m kidding,” she said lightly, though her eyes sparkled. “I know this is just for show. I just like watching you get flustered.”

She opened the box.

Her teasing faded the moment she saw the rings. Her breath caught, eyes widening slightly. She’d expected something dull, plain, forgettable. But this… this was beautiful. The simple gold band was elegant, classic. But the engagement ring—black with rose gold accents, the diamond catching the light just right—was unique. Bold. Perfect.

Her voice was quieter when she finally spoke. “It’s beautiful.”

Nate felt a smile tug at his lips before he could stop it. “I’m glad you like it.”

Alexia slid the bands onto her finger, tilting her hand to admire how they caught the light. “Thank you.”

He nodded, his jaw tightening, unsure why gratitude made his chest feel tight.

They lingered in silence again, the weight of the moment stretching between them. Finally, Nate cleared his throat. “We should… head to bed. Big day tomorrow.”

Alexia smiled knowingly. “Of course. The twins’ first day of school.”

Another pause. Quiet.

Then, softly, she said, “Goodnight, Nate.”

The way she said his name—his cover name, not even his real one—still managed to quicken his pulse.

He swallowed, giving the smallest nod. “Goodnight, Alexia.”