Mr.Bride

The Handshake

“Ethan, meet my son.”

Mr. Sterling’s voice cut through my thoughts.

The guy stepping through the double doors didn’t just walk in. He took over the room. Dark hair, sharp jaw, and a tailored suit that probably cost more than my college tuition.

But it was his eyes that stopped my chest. They were pitch black and cold.

He didn’t look at his sister. He didn’t look at my dad. His gaze locked straight onto me.

“This is Adrian,” Mr. Sterling said, looking proud. “He’s running the operational side of the merger.”

Adrian took three long strides toward me. A slow, mocking smirk touched the corner of his mouth.

“Nice to meet you, brother-in-law,” he murmured. His voice was a deep, smooth baritone that made the hairs on my arms stand up.

He held out his hand.

I swallowed hard, forcing my face into the fake, polite smile I’d been practicing all morning. I reached out to take it.

The second our palms met, his grip clamped down like a vise. He wasn’t shaking my hand. He was squeezing it hard enough that my knuckles popped.

I stiffened, but I didn't pull back. I glared right back into those dark eyes, my chest tightening as a sudden, awful realization hit me.

He knows.

He saw right through the suit. He saw right through the fake smile. He knew what I was hiding, and he already despised me for it.

“The pleasure is mine, Adrian,” I managed to say, keeping my voice steady.

“Fabulous!” Mr. Sterling clapped his hands, breaking the tension. “Let’s move to the dining hall. The chefs have prepared a feast.”

The dining hall looked like a museum. Massive gold plates, crystal glasses, and a mahogany table that felt miles long.

Dad and Mr. Sterling sat at one end, already talking about stocks and liquidation. Selena sat across from me, giving me soft, shy smiles.

And Adrian sat right next to her. Directly in front of me.

Every time I looked up, he was watching. He swirled his wine, tracking the way my hands shook whenever I picked up my fork. He was playing with me.

“Ethan has such a gentle soul, Father,” Selena said softly, breaking the corporate chatter. She blushed, looking over at her dad. “I was worried this would feel forced, but he’s a total gentleman.”

A sharp spike of guilt hit my stomach. Selena was sweet. She didn't deserve a fake husband, and she didn't deserve my family's mess.

“Is that so?” Adrian cut in. His voice practically dripped with venomous amusement. He took a slow sip of wine, his eyes drilling into my face. “A gentleman. How charming.”

Dad paused, glancing sharply at me. A silent warning to keep my mouth shut.

“You have to watch the quiet ones, Selena,” Adrian continued, leaning back in his chair with a dangerous, lazy grace. “Sometimes, a man acts perfect because he’s hiding a lot of secrets. Right, Ethan?”

The air left my lungs. I gripped my napkin under the table, digging my nails into my palms.

“I don’t have anything to hide,” I said.

Adrian’s smirk widened. “Really? Because I looked over your background report today. You spent an awful lot of time with that guy in college. What was his name... Leo?”

My heart stopped.

“Shared an apartment, traveled together, so inseparable,” Adrian purred. Every word felt like a slap. “Quite close for just friends. It’s a good thing you’re marrying my sister, Ethan. It’s time to leave those... college phases behind and be a real man.”

Across the table, Dad’s face went pale.

My blood boiled. The anger and the sheer terror of being exposed in front of my dad and a billionaire made me dizzy. I couldn't sit here. I couldn't breathe.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, pushing my chair back loudly. “I need to use the restroom.”

I didn't wait for them to answer. I turned and walked out.

I found a quiet corridor near the back of the house. I pressed my back against the cold wall, closing my eyes to suck in a ragged breath.

I can't do this. I can't live under the same roof as that guy.

“Running away already, little sheep?”

The voice hissed from the dark. Before I could open my eyes, a heavy hand grabbed my arm and violently yanked me forward.

I was shoved backward into a narrow, pitch-black alcove beneath the grand staircase. My back hit the wall hard, knocking the wind out of me.

I gasped, looking up. Adrian was standing right over me.

He completely blocked the exit. His massive frame cast a heavy shadow.

“What is your problem?!” I snapped, shoving his solid chest. He didn't even budge. “I am marrying your sister! I am doing what they want! Stop talking about my friends!”

Adrian didn't flinch. Instead, he took one slow step closer, crowding me until his chest was practically brushing mine. He smelled like expensive cologne and dark wine.

The mocking smirk was gone. His eyes were dark, intense… breathless.

“You think you're fooling anyone with this straight act, Ethan?” Adrian whispered. His voice was low, vibrating against my skin. He put his hand on the wall right next to my head, trapping me.

“I can smell the fear on you,” he murmured, his lips brushing the side of my ear. “And I know exactly what kind of men you look at when you think nobody's watching. You don't want my sister. You're terrified of me... because you know I’m exactly what you actually want.”

My mind went blank. My heart was hammering so hard against my ribs I was sure he could hear it. I wanted to push him away, but my body wouldn't move.

Adrian pulled back just an inch, his dark eyes burning into mine.

Suddenly, sharp footsteps echoed down the main hallway. They were heading straight for us.

“Ethan? Adrian? Are you boys out here?” Dad’s voice called out, getting closer by the second.

If they opened the alcove door, we were dead. My family, the merger, my life, everything would be ruined.

I stared at Adrian in pure panic, putting my hands on his shoulders to push him off. But Adrian didn't move an inch. He just locked his eyes onto my mouth, a wicked grin spreading across his face as the footsteps stopped right outside.