THE CEO SERECT WIFE

CHAPTER 4: THE FAMILY DINNER FROM HELL

The next morning, Mrs. Ade threw a black dress at me.

"Wear this," she snapped. "The Madam does not like cheap-looking women."

I caught it. It was silk. It probably cost more than my school fees.

"Thank you," I whispered.

She walked away without answering.

7PM. Jake was already waiting by the door in a black suit.

He looked at me once. Up and down.

His eyes paused on the dress.

"Good," he said. "You look... acceptable."

Acceptable. Wow.

The car ride was silent. Again.

My hands were sweating.

"Your mother," I asked. "What’s she like?"

Jake stared out the window. "She’s direct. Don’t lie. Don’t stutter.

And for God’s sake, don’t mention money."

"Got it."

He turned to me. "Remember, Isabella. We’ve been dating 6 months.

Met at a charity event. I proposed last month."

I nodded. My heart was beating so fast.

The Sterling mansion in Ikoyi was bigger than my entire street.

Guards. Fountains. Cars that cost millions.

Jake’s mother was waiting in the living room.

Mrs. Victoria Sterling.

She was beautiful. And terrifying.

Perfect red lips. Diamond earrings. Eyes that cut right through me.

"Jake," she said, kissing his cheek. Then she looked at me.

"So. This is her."

" Mom, this is Isabella. My fiancée. My wife." Jake said, his hand on my back.

It was the first time he touched me. It was warm. It was fake.

"Isabella," Mrs. Sterling said my name like she was tasting it.

"Please, sit."

Dinner was served by 4 waiters. Silver plates. Wine I couldn’t pronounce.

The silence was loud.

"So Isabella," Mrs. Sterling started, smiling too sweetly.

"Tell me. How did my son convince a smart girl like you to marry him so quickly?"

My mouth went dry.

"We... met at a charity event," I said, reciting the lie. "6 months ago."

"Oh? Which charity?" Mrs. Sterling asked.

Jake answered for me. "The Children’s Hope Foundation, Mom. In December."

"How romantic," Mrs. Sterling said. But her eyes didn’t smile.

She turned to me. "And what do you do, dear?"

"I’m... a student," I said. "Studying accounting."

"A student." She took a sip of wine. "Jake, darling, you know I wanted

you to marry someone from our circle. The Adebayos. The Okafors."

"Mom," Jake’s voice was warning.

"What? I’m just concerned," she said. "Marriage is serious.

Especially for the Sterling name."

I kept my eyes on my plate. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

After dinner, Mrs. Sterling pulled me aside to the garden.

Alone.

"Let me be frank with you, Isabella," she said softly. Dangerously.

"