Chapter5
1255 Words
Dinner at the Harrington family’s home felt like an ordeal for Sienna.
That morning, Alex had told her that they had to attend a dinner at Harrington Mansion that evening.
The reason was simple: the family wanted to get to know Alex’s new wife.
Sienna knew. In that elite family, nothing was ever really simple.
She stood in front of the mirror in her apartment.
The dress Alex had specially prepared for her looked elegant. Not over the top. Not too flashy. It fits the image of a woman standing beside a CEO. But still, Sienna felt like she was wearing someone else’s clothes.
“You look different.”
Sienna turned her head when she suddenly heard Alex’s voice.
He was standing near the door. Today he wasn’t wearing his work clothes. Just a black suit that made him look even more unapproachable.
Sienna smiled. Suddenly, her heart began to race. Ever since Alex arrived, he hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
“Are you nervous?”
Sienna fidgeted with her fingers.
“I’m scared. I’m not sure what to do later.”
There was more to Sienna’s fear than that.
“What are you afraid of?”
Sienna stared at him.
“Do they know that all of this is just a charade?”
Alex fell silent. No words came out. He was lost in his own thoughts.
**
Harrington Mansion looked just as grand from a distance as it did in Sienna’s imagination.
If she had a choice, Sienna would rather go to a haunted house than have to enter the magnificent mansion that looked so eerie right in front of her.
Their car came to a stop; Alex got out first and opened the door for Sienna.
A small gesture that took everyone by surprise. Especially Sienna.
Sienna got out of the car. Alex reached out his hand and took Sienna’s fingers in his.
“Come on.”
Sienna gazed at their intertwined hands.
Then she followed him into Harrington Manor, her heart pounding wildly.
In the dining room, the Harrington family was already waiting.
Adrian sat at the head of the table.
Clara was beside him.
Erick sat across from them.
And there was one more person.
Elara Prameswari.
The famous actress sat calmly, wearing her beautiful dress. It was as if she had always been part of this family.
Alex paused.
“El?”
Elara smiled.
“What? Am I not allowed to be here?”
Her tone was gentle.
But her gaze immediately turned to Sienna.
“I just wanted to say congratulations.”
Sienna felt uncomfortable being there.
“Congratulations, Alex.”
Elara stood up.
“You’re finally getting married.”
Alex nodded.
“Thank you.”
"But I didn’t expect..."
Elara gave Sienna a judgmental look, scanning her from head to toe.
"...that you’d choose him."
“I thought your wife came from a wealthy family,” Elara added condescendingly.
The atmosphere shifted. Silence fell.
No one said a word.
But everyone was staring at Sienna, making her feel inferior.
“Is that a problem for you?”
Alex, who had been silent until then, spoke up. Everyone fell silent.
Dinner began.
Clara was the one who did the most to keep the mood light.
She talked about lighthearted topics.
About the company.
About life after marriage.
“Sienna, I’m sure you’ll be able to adapt to this family soon.”
Sienna nodded.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Good.”
Clara smiled.
“I know being Alex’s wife isn’t easy.”
Sienna knew that was true.
“I’ll do my best.”
Clara nodded.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Then Adrian spoke up.
“Alex.”
“Yes, Dad?”
"When are you two planning to have kids?"
That question made Sienna’s hand freeze.
She knew that question was coming.
But it still wasn’t easy to hear.
Alex answered calmly.
"That’s our business."
Adrian looked at him.
“You still haven’t changed.”
There was a slight tension in the air.
Sienna noticed it.
The relationship between Alex and his father wasn’t as warm as that between a father and son.
**
After dinner, Sienna stepped out briefly into the backyard.
She needed some fresh air after the stressful exam.
This house was full of mysterious people. Sienna didn’t know if they truly welcomed her presence—or if tonight’s gathering was merely a formality.
“You’re adapting quickly.”
Elara’s voice made her turn her head.
Sienna looked up.
“Is there something you want to say?”
Elara smiled.
“Wow… it turns out you’re a friendly person, too.”
"I'm Elara. 'El' is the nickname my family uses for me."
Sienna fell silent. She felt a little uneasy about Elara's recent revelation.
Elara walked closer.
"I'm curious."
"About what?"
"How long is your contract?"
Sienna frozen.
The question was too direct.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Elara let out a small, somewhat mocking laugh.
“I know Alex.”
She looked toward the house.
“It’s impossible for Alex to have suddenly fallen in love and gotten married in such a short time.”
Sienna didn’t answer.
Elara moved a little closer.
“You’ve got it all wrong,” said Sienna.
“I understand this much better than you do.”
“Really?”
Elara smiled.
“Let me tell you something.”
“What?”
“Alex might marry you.”
Elara’s gaze fell on the ring on Sienna’s finger.
“But I know him better than you do.”
Sienna didn’t answer.
Elara continued.
“Your relationship with Alex might be fake. But Alex and I—that’s the real thing.”
"Elara!"
Alex suddenly appeared.
They both turned to look at him.
Alex stood a few steps away from them.
His expression was hard to read.
"I think you should go home."
Elara stared at him.
"Are you kicking me out?"
"I thought you’d forgotten that she’s my wife."
Those words silenced everyone.
Even Sienna’s eyes widened in surprise.
Elara stared at Alex for a long time. Her gaze was full of longing.
“Have you changed… because of her?” Elara turned toward Sienna.
Alex didn’t answer. His silence made Elara reluctantly walk away.
**
On the way home, the car was silent.
Sienna looked out the window.
“Thank you.”
Alex glanced over at her.
“For what?”
“For earlier.”
“I was just saying what I had to.”
“Still.”
A few seconds passed.
Then Alex said, “Sienna.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t listen to what Elara says.”
Sienna gave a wry smile.
“Why?”
“Because…”
Alex trailed off.
For the first time, he seemed to be struggling to find the right words.
“Because now you’re my wife.”
That sentence was simple.
But for some reason, it made Sienna’s heart beat a little faster.
**
Meanwhile, Clara watched Alex’s car drive away from the Harrington mansion’s driveway.
Adrian approached her.
“Is something worrying you?”
Clara smiled.
“No. I’m just happy to see Alex finally getting married.”
Adrian nodded.
“Do you think Sienna’s right for him?”
Clara gazed out at the garden.
“Sienna seems like a nice woman.”
“So?”
Clara smiled gently.
“But she’s not as simple as she seems...”
"But he's not as simple as he seems."
Adrian just frowned; he didn't know what his wife meant.
- Writer
