Ethan sat in his office, staring at the text on his phone from his mother, Margaret Cole.
"Dinner. Sunday night. Bring Mia. No excuses."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. His family's fixation on Mia had escalated since word of their engagement—fake though it was—had reached them. While his mother's tone was polite, Ethan knew better. This dinner wasn't a celebration; it was a test.
A test Mia wasn't prepared for.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, thinking about how much Mia had already endured. Between Volkova's threats and her secret struggles, the last thing she needed was to face his family's judgment.
But there was no avoiding it.
---
Breaking the News
Later that evening, Ethan found Mia in the living room, curled up on the couch with a cup of tea. She looked tired, but there was a small, peaceful smile on her face as she flipped through a book. He hated to ruin her moment of calm, but there was no way around it.
"Mia," he began, his voice hesitant.
She glanced up, immediately sensing his unease. "What is it?"
He sat down beside her, running a hand over the back of his neck. "My family… they've invited us to dinner. This Sunday."
Mia's expression shifted from curious to wary. "Invited, or demanded?"
Ethan gave her a small, rueful smile. "Demanded."
Mia set her book aside, her brow furrowing. "Ethan, your family doesn't exactly like me. Why would they want me there?"
He sighed. "Because they're trying to figure you out. They don't trust you, and they think dragging you into their world will make you slip up."
Mia's stomach twisted. She knew Ethan's family was powerful and intimidating, but the idea of sitting across from them, knowing they were waiting for her to fail, was almost too much.
"Do I have a choice?" she asked quietly.
Ethan shook his head. "No. But you won't be alone. I'll be with you the whole time."
Mia nodded, her resolve hardening. "Fine. Let's get it over with."
---
The Dinner
The Cole estate was a sprawling mansion, an architectural masterpiece that screamed wealth and status. Mia felt small as she followed Ethan up the grand staircase to the front doors, her hand clutching his arm like a lifeline.
"You okay?" Ethan asked, glancing down at her.
She nodded, though her heart was pounding. "Yeah. Just… trying not to trip on these ridiculously polished steps."
Ethan chuckled softly, the sound easing some of her tension. "You've got this. Just remember, they're vultures. Don't let them see you bleed."
The door opened before Mia could respond, revealing Margaret Cole, her posture as perfect as her designer dress.
"Ethan," she said warmly, though her eyes were cool. "And Mia. How lovely of you to join us."
Mia forced a polite smile. "Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Cole."
Margaret's gaze lingered on Mia, her sharp eyes taking in every detail of her appearance. "Please, call me Margaret. We're family, after all."
The emphasis on "family" made Mia's stomach churn, but she followed Margaret into the dining room without a word.
---
The Setup
The rest of Ethan's family was already seated: his father, Robert, with his usual stern demeanor; his brother, Lucas, whose smirk was a permanent fixture; and his younger sister, Lily, who gave Mia a small, encouraging smile.
As they took their seats, Mia felt the weight of their gazes. She knew they were judging her—her dress, her manners, her very existence.
Margaret wasted no time in setting the tone. "So, Mia," she began, her voice dripping with false warmth. "Ethan tells us you're a waitress. That must be… fulfilling work."
Mia straightened her back, refusing to rise to the bait. "It is. I've met a lot of interesting people."
"Of course," Margaret replied, her smile sharp. "But I imagine it's quite a leap from waiting tables to… well, this." She gestured around the opulent room.
Ethan's jaw tightened, but before he could speak, Mia cut in. "It's definitely an adjustment," she said smoothly. "But I'm learning to navigate it."
Lucas leaned forward, his smirk widening. "And how exactly did you and Ethan meet again? It's such a fascinating story."
Mia's chest tightened, but she kept her expression neutral. "We met at the café where I work. Ethan was a regular, and we just… clicked."
"Clicked," Lucas repeated, his tone mocking.
"That's enough," Ethan said sharply, his voice cutting through the tension.
---
The Turning Point
The meal continued, each course accompanied by subtle jabs and thinly veiled insults. Margaret questioned Mia's upbringing, Lucas joked about her "ambition," and Robert barely acknowledged her presence.
But it was Margaret's final comment that pushed Mia to her limit.
"It's just that we worry about Ethan," Margaret said, her tone full of feigned concern. "He's always been so generous, so trusting. We wouldn't want anyone to… take advantage of that."
Mia felt her face heat up, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. But Ethan was faster.
"That's enough, Mother," he said, his voice cold. "Mia isn't here to prove herself to you. She's here because I care about her, and I won't let you or anyone else question that."
The room fell silent, everyone staring at Ethan in shock. Margaret's smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Of course, darling," she said, though her tone was icy. "We're just looking out for you."
---
Aftermath
As soon as they were out of the estate, Mia let out a shaky breath. "That was… intense."
"I'm sorry," Ethan said, his voice full of guilt. "I should've never brought you into that."
Mia shook her head. "No, Ethan. This is your family, and if I'm going to be a part of your life—fake engagement or not—I need to face them."
Ethan stopped walking, turning to face her. "You don't deserve that, Mia. None of it. They don't see what I see."
"And what do you see?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan stepped closer, his hand brushing hers. "I see someone who's stronger than she realizes. Someone who's been through hell and still stands tall."
Mia's breath hitched as his words sank in. For a moment, she let herself believe them, let herself feel the warmth of his admiration.
But the moment was shattered when her phone buzzed with another message. She glanced at the screen and felt her blood run cold.
"Nice performance at dinner. Shame Ethan doesn't know the truth yet."
Mia quickly locked the phone, her heart racing. Ethan noticed her sudden change in demeanor. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," she lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired."
But as they headed back to the penthouse, Mia knew the threats were closing in. And this time, she wasn't sure she could protect Ethan—or herself—from the fallout.