TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 9: MEETING HIS MOTHER

The Smith estate was huge. White gates. Fountains. Everything screamed money.

I was clutching the seatbelt. "I’m not ready."

Alex glanced at me. "You don’t have to be. Just smile. Answer when she asks you questions. That’s all."

"That’s all?" I laughed. "Your mother thinks we’ve been dating 8 months."

"Then act like it," Alex said. But his voice wasn’t harsh.

The door opened before we could get out.

Mrs. Victoria Smith.

Early 50s. Pearls. Sharp eyes. The same cold look as Alex.

"Lily," she said, hugging me. She smelled like perfume and judgment. "My son finally did something right."

Inside, the house was quiet. Too quiet.

We sat in the sitting room. Tea. Pastries. Silence.

"So Lily," Mrs. Smith started. "How did you and Alex meet?"

My mouth went dry. I looked at Alex.

He spoke first. "At a charity gala. She spilled wine on me."

I blinked. That was... actually good.

"And?" Mrs. Smith raised a brow.

"And I couldn’t stop thinking about her after," Alex continued. He reached over and took my hand.

His palm was warm.

For the cameras it looked perfect. For me it felt like I was drowning.

Mrs. Smith studied us. "You’re very lucky, dear. Alex doesn’t let people in easily."

Before I could answer, Alex’s phone buzzed.

He looked at the screen and his whole face changed.

"What?" Mrs. Smith asked.

Alex stood up. "We have to go."

"Go where? We just got here—"

"Now, Lily," Alex said. His grip on my hand was tight again.

As we rushed to the car, I saw it.

On the gate. Spray painted in red:

*RUNAWAY BRIDE*