Chapter 8: The Family Doesn't Approve
945 Words
Sophia Vale had survived interrogation rooms.
Gunfire.
Betrayal.
But nothing had prepared her for breakfast with the Vale family.
The dining room at Vale Manor was intimidating by design.
A long mahogany table stretched beneath an elaborate ceiling mural. Silverware gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. Staff moved silently around the room.
At the head of the table sat Eleanor Vale.
She looked up as Sophia entered.
The older woman's expression cooled instantly.
"You're late."
Sophia glanced at the grandfather clock.
"It's eight o'clock."
Eleanor folded her napkin neatly.
"Exactly."
Sophia took the empty seat beside Adrian.
Her husband.
The title still felt foreign.
Adrian continued reading the business section of the newspaper.
Unbothered.
Or pretending to be.
Eleanor's gaze shifted between them.
"I still fail to understand how this marriage happened."
Adrian didn't look up.
"We've discussed this."
"No," Eleanor corrected sharply. "You've avoided discussing it."
She directed her attention to Sophia.
"What are your intentions toward my grandson?"
The room fell silent.
Sophia calmly buttered a piece of toast.
"To keep him alive."
Adrian nearly choked on his coffee.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
"Excuse me?"
Sophia smiled politely.
"Happy."
Adrian shot her a warning glance.
Sophia ignored him.
Breakfast continued under strained silence.
Until Eleanor spoke again.
"Tell me about your family."
Sophia's fingers tightened around her teacup.
"I don't think that's appropriate breakfast conversation."
"It seems perfectly appropriate to me."
"Sophia," Adrian said quietly.
The message was clear.
Answer the question.
Sophia looked down at her untouched food.
"My father passed away."
The lie rolled off her tongue effortlessly.
Her mother had died years ago.
Her father...
That was more complicated.
"And your mother?" Eleanor pressed.
"Also gone."
A flicker of sympathy crossed Eleanor's features before disappearing.
"What did they do?"
Sophia met her gaze.
"They protected people."
It wasn't entirely untrue.
Eleanor studied her for several moments.
Then nodded.
The interrogation was over.
For now.
Adrian walked Sophia toward the front entrance later that afternoon.
"You handled that surprisingly well."
Sophia glanced sideways at him.
"Your grandmother interrogates people for fun."
The corner of Adrian's mouth twitched.
"That's actually accurate."
Sophia blinked.
"Was that a joke?"
"Don't get used to it."
They stepped outside.
Reporters crowded the gates.
Cameras flashed instantly.
"Mr. Vale!"
"Sophia! How did you meet?"
"Is the marriage real?"
"Were you involved in the chandelier accident?"
Adrian instinctively moved closer to Sophia.
Shielding her from the chaos.
Sophia noticed.
She said nothing.
By the time they reached the car, Adrian looked irritated.
"You don't have to attend tonight's family dinner."
Sophia frowned.
"There's another one?"
"My aunt insisted."
"Do all wealthy families eat this much?"
Adrian actually laughed.
A soft sound.
Brief.
But genuine.
Sophia stared at him.
"You should do that more often."
Adrian looked away.
"You should stop getting involved in dangerous situations."
Sophia's expression darkened.
"If I stop, you'll die."
The laughter vanished.
Neither spoke for the remainder of the drive.
That evening...
Vale Manor bustled with activity.
Extended family members had arrived.
Cousins.
Uncles.
Business associates.
Everyone wanted to meet Adrian's mysterious bride.
Sophia stood near the staircase.
Observing.
Listening.
The habit was second nature.
"Quite the scandal you've caused."
Sophia turned.
A stunning brunette stood behind her.
Elegant.
Confident.
Hostile.
"You must be Isabella."
The woman's smile sharpened.
"And you must be the woman who married my fiancé."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Former fiancé."
Isabella stepped closer.
"You don't belong here."
Sophia smiled pleasantly.
"I've noticed."
"You think marrying Adrian makes you important?"
"I think marrying Adrian makes me married to Adrian."
Isabella's jaw tightened.
Sophia lowered her voice.
"You should smile more."
"What?"
"The photographers are watching."
Isabella immediately softened her expression.
Sophia almost admired the effort.
Almost.
Dinner proved exhausting.
Questions came from every direction.
"Where did you study?"
"How did you meet Adrian?"
"When are you having children?"
Sophia wanted to fake her own death.
Adrian noticed her discomfort.
He redirected conversations effortlessly.
A skill Sophia hadn't expected him to possess.
Then Eleanor placed her fork down.
The room quieted.
"Sophia."
Sophia looked up.
"Yes?"
"How well do you know my grandson?"
Sophia hesitated.
Not enough.
Too much.
More than he'd ever believe.
Before she could answer, Adrian spoke.
"Well enough."
Eleanor's gaze sharpened.
"You've known each other for less than a month."
Adrian remained calm.
"People don't need years to recognize what's important."
The statement surprised everyone.
Including Sophia.
Their eyes met briefly.
Then Adrian looked away.
As though he'd revealed too much.
Near midnight, Vale Manor finally fell silent.
Sophia couldn't sleep.
She stepped into the hallway.
The mansion felt different after dark.
Empty.
Watchful.
Dangerous.
Her instincts screamed.
Someone was awake.
Slowly, Sophia moved through the corridor.
Past portraits.
Past guest rooms.
Toward Adrian's wing.
Then she stopped.
A figure stood outside Adrian's bedroom door.
Completely still.
Sophia's pulse quickened.
The figure raised a hand.
Toward the doorknob.
Sophia moved instantly.
"Stop."
The person froze.
Then ran.
Sophia chased after them.
Footsteps echoed through the mansion.
Faster.
Closer.
The intruder turned the corner—
And disappeared.
Impossible.
Sophia searched frantically.
Nothing.
No doors opening.
No windows disturbed.
No sign anyone had been there at all.
A hand gripped her wrist.
Sophia spun.
Adrian stood before her.
Disheveled.
Alert.
"What happened?"
Sophia's breathing remained uneven.
"There was someone outside your room."
Adrian frowned.
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"Did you see their face?"
Sophia shook her head.
"No."
Adrian studied her carefully.
Then looked toward the empty hallway.
"You think someone broke into the house?"
Sophia's gaze hardened.
"No."
Silence stretched between them.
Then she said the words that made Adrian's blood run cold.
> "I think they already live here."
- Writer
