Pretend You're Mine!

Chapter 7: Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 7: “Unexpected Visitor” – Part 1

The crisp spring morning air carried the scent of blooming azaleas as the parents of Pine Grove Elementary gathered for the annual “Read with Your Child” event. Colorful cushions dotted the grassy amphitheater beside the playground, and a low hum of excited chatter filled the shaded grove. Children perched eagerly beside their chosen storybooks, ready for the one-on-one reading sessions that fostered family bonds.

Ethan arrived early, carrying Sophie’s favorite volume of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. He scanned the crowd until he saw Lexi kneeling in front of Sophie, animatedly voicing Mrs. McGregor’s gruff warnings as Sophie giggled. The sight filled him with warmth: here was the magic of a motherly presence in full bloom.

As he approached, Lexi looked up and waved, her face lighting up with genuine delight. They shared a quick smile—an unspoken acknowledgment of how far their arrangement had come in just a few weeks.

Suddenly, a ripple ran through the nearby gathering. Heads turned, whispers rose. A tall figure in a tailored trench coat and oversized sunglasses swept past the sign-in table. Lexi’s breath caught, but she didn’t flinch. Standing behind the sunglasses was Celeste Morgan—Ethan’s ex-wife—who surveyed the amphitheater with a predatory calm.

Ethan blocked his surprise behind a polite nod and introduced Celeste to the gathering: “Everyone, this is Celeste—Sophie’s mother.” His voice was even, but his heart thundered. He glanced at Lexi, bracing for a scene.

Celeste removed her sunglasses, her green eyes gleaming. “I decided to stop by,” she announced, voice smooth as silk. She turned to Lexi. “You must be the woman who’s been charming the parents—and my daughter.” Her tone was light, but laced with steel.

A hush fell over the group. Mothers exchanged awkward glances; teachers attempted hurried interventions. Lexi rose gracefully to her full height, dusting imaginary lint from her skirt. She offered Celeste a warm—but measured—smile.

“Hello, Celeste. It’s nice to see you.” Lexi’s voice was calm and even. “I hope you’re enjoying the event. Sophie has been looking forward to sharing her reading today.” She gestured toward the colorful cushion beside her.

Celeste’s lips curved into a cool smile. “I’m thrilled to see Sophie reading so well,” she replied, stepping forward. “But I must admit, I wasn’t aware of any ‘family companion’ arrangement.” She emphasized the words, her tone dripping curiosity—and accusation.

Lexi inclined her head. “Dr. Harrington and I have an agreement to help Sophie feel supported. It’s been wonderful for her confidence.” She paused, letting the sincerity in her eyes speak. “I care about Sophie very much.”

For a tense moment, Celeste’s gaze flickered to Sophie—who sat enthralled by Lexi’s performance of Mr. McGregor’s pursuit—and then back to Lexi. The two women faced each other across the grove, one radiating genuine warmth, the other a poised coolness.

“Well,” Celeste said at last, her voice light yet cutting, “I suppose if Sophie’s happy, that’s all that matters.” She turned toward Ethan. “But let me make one thing clear, Ethan: I won’t stand by while you rewrite our family for public opinion. There are lines I won’t let you cross.”

Ethan stepped forward, protective. “Celeste, this was arranged for Sophie’s sake—nothing more. We’re just here to read with our daughter.”

Celeste’s smile sharpened. “Of course.” She slipped her sunglasses back on, the gesture like a shield. “Enjoy your reading, everyone.” With that, she swept away, leaving ripples of tension in her wake.

The crowd blinked, then resumed their spots, as if waking from a momentary pause. Lexi exhaled softly and sank back beside Sophie, brushing the girl’s hair from her face. Sophie didn’t notice anything amiss; she handed Lexi her open book without hesitation.

Ethan knelt beside them, placing a hand on Lexi’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he whispered, voice thick with gratitude. “You handled that beautifully.”

Lexi stared straight ahead, reading Peter Rabbit’s next adventure with calm precision. “I want Sophie to feel safe and loved,” she said softly, “no matter who’s watching.”

Later, after the exercises concluded, Celeste caught up with Ethan in the empty amphitheater under the last rays of afternoon sun. She lowered her voice. “You’ve gone too far, Ethan. This…Ms. Quinn—she has a past. I can find things about her that will make every one of your charitable events look like a farce.” Her lips curved. “Think carefully before you trust her completely.”

Ethan felt ice in his veins. He forced a nod, swallowing his outrage. “I appreciate your concern, Celeste. But Sophie needs stability.”

Celeste’s green eyes glittered. “Stability? Or the perfect image? Be careful which you choose. Some truths are better left buried.” She turned and walked away, leaving Ethan alone with the whisper of her threat.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them to the empty stage. Somewhere in those shadows lay Celeste’s promised “truths”—and he would protect Lexi and Sophie from them, no matter the cost.

The grove was nearly silent by the time Lexi and Ethan returned home with Sophie nestled between them, her arms clutching the well-loved edition of Peter Rabbit. The last of the parents and children had drifted away, and the fading light lent the courtyard an otherworldly calm. Yet inside Ethan, a storm brewed—Celeste’s warning still echoing in his mind.

Once through the front door of the manor, Sophie insisted on showing Lexi her new bookmark—a glittering paper snowflake she’d crafted for the concert. As Sophie prattled on, Lexi smiled and knelt beside her, momentarily restoring the warmth and safety of their shared laughter. But when Sophie’s little voice trailed off and she scampered to fetch a cup of milk, Lexi allowed herself a stiffening of the shoulders.

Ethan closed the door behind him and turned to Lexi, his expression taut. “Are you all right?” he asked quietly.

Lexi met his gaze, steady but guarded. “I’m fine for Sophie’s sake.” She paused. “But Celeste isn’t bluffing.” Her voice softened. “She said she could dig up things about me—things that could make you regret this arrangement.”

Ethan’s hand found hers. “I trust you.” He guided her to the living room sofa and sat beside her, drawing her fingers through his. “I don’t care what she finds. You’ve been nothing but honest and wonderful to Sophie—and to me.”

A flicker of gratitude passed through Lexi’s eyes. She reached up, resting her head against his shoulder. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

They sat in companionable silence until Sophie bounded back, milk in hand. “Can we read the rest of Peter Rabbit?” she asked, eyes hopeful.

Lexi hugged her and nodded. “Of course.” As Ethan watched Lexi settle on the floor with Sophie in her lap, reading with animated voices, he felt a surge of admiration mixed with something deeper and more urgent. The woman beside him was more than a hired companion—she was the very heart of his daughter’s happiness.

After Sophie was tucked in, Ethan poured two glasses of red wine and beckoned Lexi to the study. The shadows of the room seemed to gather as he closed the door, ensuring privacy.

“Tell me more about what Celeste said,” he urged softly, handing her a glass.

Lexi accepted it, swirling the wine. “She hinted that I have a past she can exploit. But she didn’t specify what—just that whatever she finds will discredit me.” She took a slow sip, composure unwavering. “I expected her to try something. She’s always used secrets as weapons.”

Ethan sat opposite her, leaning forward. “I’ll handle her. You focus on Sophie and on yourself. If she digs up anything… we face it together.”

His words were a vow, and Lexi felt her tension ease. She reached across, resting her hand atop his. “I appreciate that. But I’m not used to needing protection.” She offered a small, defiant smile. “I can handle myself, too.”

He let out a soft laugh, tension easing from his eyes. “I know. That’s why I respect you so much.”

They leaned in, foreheads touching. For a brief, luminous moment, business and pretense fell away, leaving only two people connected by fierce loyalty and unspoken longing.

Suddenly, Ethan’s phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen: an anonymous text message. His brow furrowed as he read:

Watch her closely. Not everything is as it seems.

He stiffened, anger and alarm flaring. He slid the phone aside, turning back to Lexi. “Someone’s definitely watching. I’ll increase security at Sophie’s school and home. And I’ll find out who sent this.”

Lexi stood, setting her wine aside. “Whatever you need, Ethan. I’ll stand by you.”

He rose to meet her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Thank you—for stepping into our lives, for standing up to Celeste today… for being you.”

Lexi rested her head on his chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”

In that embrace, they found strength against the coming storm. Yet as the fireplace’s glow flickered across their faces, an uneasy truth settled between them: Celeste’s threat was only the beginning. Beyond the shadow of doubt lay a far darker secret—and neither of them knew just how deep the danger would reach before the next curtain fell.