Chapter 11
823 Words
Melina first scorned herself inwardly. She couldn’t admit she married Adrian for money. She bit her lip and, looking hesitant, said, "Um... because I’ve actually had a crush on Adrian for a long time. Before I met Grandpa, I had already seen Adrian and knew he was the one. That’s why I went on the date. If I didn’t marry him, I’d regret it forever. So, I... I’ll try my best to be a good wife..."
Melina blushed as she spoke. She was telling the truth—she had liked Adrian for a long time, though their connection was due to money, not love or marriage. This reality shattered her dreams of love and a perfect marriage.
The Chambers family exchanged glances. Lauren couldn't help but laugh, thinking this girl truly liked Adrian, seeing how red her face was.
Grandpa Chambers came to Melina’s rescue. "As long as you young people love each other, don’t think too much. You’re part of the Chambers family now, a good daughter-in-law."
Melina looked up, her cheeks rosy, flashing a relieved smile. She reverted to her usual sweet self, saying, “I didn’t expect Adrian’s grandpa to be so open-minded and approachable. Grandpa, you’re wonderful.”
Grandpa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what did you expect me to be like?"
Melina stood up, hands behind her back, her face stern as she mimed stroking a beard, scolding, "Marriage is no trivial matter. How can a young girl be a daughter-in-law of the Chambers family? Go away... come back in a few years..."
"Haha, this child really thinks we’re old-fashioned and rigid..."
Paul laughed heartily, and Grandpa Chambers couldn’t stop smiling at Melina's mimicry. Lauren and Grandma exchanged amused glances, their usually quiet home filled with laughter for the first time.
Amid the laughter, Adrian stood at the second-floor doorway, leaning against the wall. His lips twitched, unsure whether to laugh or be angry. Besides being money-hungry, she was a good liar, telling fibs. He glanced down at them before turning back to his room.
Melina spent the whole morning with the Chambers family elders, successfully winning them over. People often said it was hard to get along with wealthy families, but today made Melina rethink her views. Adrian’s family was lovely, especially Grandpa—a very endearing old man.
By noon, Lauren announced it was a special day and that she would cook some of her signature dishes. Melina, not wanting to be idle, joined her in the kitchen. Keeping busy helped her feel less awkward. Despite the earlier cheerful conversation, her palms were sweaty from nerves, feeling as if she’d been through an intense interrogation.
Adrian had been absent all morning, as if he had nothing to do with this family. It was odd. He only appeared at lunchtime.
The family sat around a long table, with Melina and Adrian opposite Paul and Lauren. The meal was abundant, a celebration of their new marriage. Before eating, they shared a toast, the elders wishing them a happy marriage.
The dining atmosphere was light and joyful, except for Adrian, who ate with a perpetual frown, looking distinctly out of place. Melina couldn't help but steal glances at him, finding even his manner of eating attractive.
"Adrian, when do you plan to have the wedding? How will you organize it?" Grandma asked, breaking the rhythm of their meal. Adrian wiped his lips with a napkin before replying, "There won’t be a wedding."
A collective gasp of surprise filled the room.
"No wedding? How can that be...?"
"How can you get married without a wedding?"
Adrian’s blunt response did not sit well with the family. His face grew colder, his dark eyes narrowing in annoyance. Sensing the rising tension, Melina quickly put down her fork and interjected, "Oh, um, that’s our mutual decision. We’ve decided not to have a wedding for now. I’m really sorry, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma."
A heavy silence followed her words until Grandpa Chambers finally spoke, "Fine, let the kids decide. We can have a ceremony later."
Lauren, however, couldn’t shake her unease. Something felt off. "Melina, what about your family? Since you’re married to Adrian, they should meet too."
Adrian shot Melina a quick glance before responding, "I’ll arrange it."
With Adrian’s reassurance, the family settled back into their meal, but Melina’s mind was racing. How would she explain this sudden marriage to her own family? They didn’t even know she was married.
The pressure was mounting. How would she handle this? The anxiety was nearly unbearable!
---
That afternoon, Melina left the Chambers' house with a heavy heart. She headed straight to the hospital, where she anonymously paid for Steve’s hospital and treatment fees.
It was the only way she could help him now. She didn’t dare visit Steve when her family was around, only sneaking in to talk to him because her family had revealed an unbelievable secret to her a month ago.
- Writer
