The Subtitute Bride

Chapter 8: Don't Look At Me Like That

The car ride to Rhys's grandmother's mansion was silent. Dead silent.

Kaela sat as far away as possible from Rhys in the backseat, still wearing his white shirt under her coat because she didn't have time to change. His shirt smelled like him, and it was making it harder to breathe.

"Stop fidgeting," Rhys said without looking at her.

"I'm not fidgeting. I'm... I'm panicking. Your grandmother thinks I'm a gold digger!"

"Aren't you?" he said coldly.

Kaela's heart dropped. "You know I'm not. I did this for my mom's hospital bills, not for fame."

Rhys finally looked at her. His eyes softened for a second when he saw her eyes were red. "Look, just follow my lead. Don't talk unless she talks to you. And for god's sake, don't cry."

"I don't cry," she whispered.

"You do. Last night you did," he said quietly.

Before Kaela could answer, the car stopped. The Anderson mansion was huge, like a castle.

Inside, Grandmother Eleanor was already waiting in the living room. Her face was stern. On the table in front of her was the same trending article: BILLIONAIRE RHYS ANDERSON'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE EXPOSED!

"So," Grandmother said, her eyes sharp on Kaela. "You're the $2 million wife?"

Kaela stood frozen. She clutched Rhys's shirt tighter.

"No, Grandma, she—" Rhys started.

"I wasn't asking you, Rhys," Grandmother cut him off. "I was asking your wife."

Kaela took a deep breath. "My name is Kaela, Mrs. Anderson. And yes, I signed the contract. But I didn't leak it. I have no reason to ruin my own life."

Grandmother stared at her for a long time. Then she stood up and walked closer to Kaela. She looked at the oversized shirt Kaela was wearing.

"That's my grandson's shirt," she said.

"I... I can explain—"

"I like it," Grandmother said, and a small smile appeared on her face. "It looks better on you than it ever did on him."

Kaela's eyes widened. That was exactly what Rhys said this morning.

Rhys was shocked too. "Grandma?"

Grandmother turned to Rhys. "I knew from the start, Rhys. You think you can fool me with a contract marriage? I'm old, not blind."

"You knew?" Kaela and Rhys said at the same time.

"Of course. But what I didn't know was if you two would actually fall for each other. And from what I see now..." She looked at the way Rhys was standing protectively close to Kaela, and how Kaela was holding his shirt like it was armor. "...you already have."

The room was silent.

"That article was leaked by Vanessa, wasn't it?" Grandmother asked.

Kaela nodded slowly. "I think so."

Grandmother picked up her phone. "Then we need to teach that girl a lesson. No one exposes an Anderson without consequences. Especially not my granddaughter-in-law."

Kaela looked at Rhys, her heart pounding so loud she was sure he could hear it.

Was she really his granddaughter-in-law now? Or was this still just part of the contract?

Rhys looked down at her, his jaw no longer tight. His voice was low so only she could hear.

"Don't look at me like that, Kaela. Rule Number Four, remember?"

But this time, he was the one who looked like he was about to break the rule.