BEHIND THE KINGSTON GATES
1047 Words
The limousine glided silently through the city, leaving the cathedral and its cheering crowd behind.
Maya sat frozen, the folded note hidden beneath her bouquet.
The man you married isn't Adrian Kingston.
The words echoed in her mind like a warning she couldn't ignore.
She stole a glance at the man beside her.
Adrian Kingston looked as composed as ever. His attention was fixed on the tablet in his hands, occasionally signing
digital documents as though he hadn't just gotten married.
How could someone be so calm?
Was he pretending?
Or was the note nothing more than a cruel prank?
"You've been staring at me for the last three minutes."
His voice broke the silence.
Maya quickly looked away.
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I was... thinking."
He closed the tablet and turned toward her.
"If there's something you want to ask me, ask."
Her fingers tightened around the bouquet.
Are you really Adrian Kingston?
The question burned inside her, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Nothing," she replied with a small smile.
His expression remained unreadable.
"If you say so."
Nearly an hour later, the limousine slowed before a pair of towering black iron gates.
A gold emblem shaped like the letter K gleamed in the afternoon sunlight.
The gates opened automatically.
Maya's eyes widened.
The driveway stretched for what felt like miles, lined with ancient oak trees, fountains, and perfectly trimmed hedges.
At the end stood the Kingston estate.
It wasn't just a mansion.
It looked like a palace.
"It's... beautiful," Maya whispered.
"It'll be your home for the next year," Adrian replied.
Home.
The word felt strange.
As the car stopped, rows of house staff stood waiting outside.
The butler stepped forward and opened Maya's door.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Kingston."
The title sent a shiver through her.
She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to hearing it.
Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.
Marble floors reflected the golden light.
Paintings older than the country itself decorated the walls.
Everything screamed wealth.
Everything except the atmosphere.
It was cold.
Not because of the temperature, but because no one seemed genuinely happy.
The maids smiled politely.
The security guards watched every movement.
Even the family portraits seemed to stare at her.
"Your luggage has already been taken upstairs," the butler informed them.
"Thank you, James," Adrian replied.
James nodded respectfully before disappearing down the hallway.
Adrian turned to Maya.
"I'll introduce you to my family during dinner."
"You all live here?"
"For the most part."
She forced a smile.
"I'm looking forward to meeting them."
He studied her face for a moment.
"No, you're not."
She sighed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"A little."
To her surprise, he almost smiled again.
As they climbed the grand staircase, Maya noticed something unusual.
Every family portrait featured Adrian.
Or at least...
Someone who looked exactly like him.
Yet one portrait caught her attention.
It was newer than the others.
The face had been scratched beyond recognition.
Only the expensive frame remained untouched.
She stopped walking.
"What happened to that painting?"
Adrian didn't even look.
"It fell."
"It looks scratched."
"It was an accident."
His answer came too quickly.
Before she could ask another question, he continued walking.
Her bedroom was larger than her entire apartment.
A king-sized bed stood in the center.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked beautifully landscaped gardens.
Fresh flowers decorated every surface.
A handwritten welcome card rested on the bed.
Welcome to the Kingston family, Mrs. Kingston.
Maya smiled faintly.
At least someone had made an effort.
She walked onto the balcony, hoping the fresh air would clear her thoughts.
Instead, she heard voices below.
"...She doesn't know anything."
A woman's voice.
"We can't let her find out."
Another voice answered.
"Keep watching her."
Maya stepped closer to the railing.
But before she could see who was speaking, they disappeared into the gardens.
Her heart raced.
Were they talking about her?
That evening, Maya changed into a simple navy-blue dress for dinner.
A maid knocked softly.
"Mr. Kingston asked me to escort you to the dining room."
Maya nodded.
The dining room was enormous.
A table long enough to seat thirty people stretched across the room.
Nearly every chair was occupied.
Adrian stood as she entered.
"Everyone, this is my wife, Maya."
The room fell silent.
A middle-aged woman with elegant silver hair smiled warmly.
"I'm Eleanor Kingston."
Another man simply nodded.
"I'm Victor."
Others introduced themselves one after another.
Most were polite.
Some looked curious.
One woman didn't even try to hide her dislike.
She was stunning, dressed in an emerald-green gown.
Her eyes never left Maya.
"So," she finally said, "this is the teacher."
Maya smiled politely.
"Yes."
The woman laughed.
"Interesting choice, Adrian."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Claire."
"What?" Claire shrugged. "I'm just surprised."
She leaned back in her chair.
"I thought you'd marry someone... more suitable."
An awkward silence filled the room.
Before Maya could respond, Adrian spoke.
"My wife doesn't need anyone's approval."
Claire rolled her eyes but said nothing else.
For the first time all day, Maya saw a different side of Adrian.
Protective.
Firm.
Unexpected.
Dinner passed with polite conversation, though Maya noticed something strange.
Every time she asked about Adrian's childhood, someone changed the subject.
Every single time.
It couldn't be a coincidence.
As everyone prepared to leave, an elderly man entered the dining room.
The staff immediately straightened.
Even Adrian's posture became more formal.
"Grandfather," he said.
The old man's sharp eyes landed on Maya.
"So..."
He slowly walked toward her.
"You're the girl who married my grandson."
Maya smiled nervously.
"Yes, sir."
He looked at her for several seconds.
Then he said something that made the entire room freeze.
"...You have his mother's eyes."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Maya blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
The old man frowned, as though he'd said too much.
"Nothing."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Maya looked around the room.
Every face had changed.
Some looked shocked.
Others looked afraid.
Adrian reached for her hand.
"We're done for tonight."
As they walked out together, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just stumbled onto a secret no one wanted her to uncover.
And somewhere in the mansion, hidden behind locked doors and polite smiles...
The truth was waiting.
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