The morning light filtered through the high windows of the Harper estate, casting long streaks of gold across the polished floors. Sophie stood in the library, her fingers lightly tracing the spines of the books lining the shelves. The room was silent except for the soft rustle of pages as she flipped through a volume, though her mind was far from focused.
Ethan's warning from the night before replayed in her mind: "They're not what they seem. Especially Maxwell."
She wanted to dismiss it, to chalk it up to Ethan's penchant for theatrics, but the weight of his words lingered. The idea that her future father-in-law might be hiding something didn't feel entirely implausible. After all, the Harpers had built their fortune on power and control—things rarely achieved without secrets.
"Morning," Daniel's voice startled her, breaking her thoughts.
Sophie turned to see him standing in the doorway, his hair slightly tousled, a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked relaxed, a rare sight given his usual composed demeanor.
"Morning," she replied, forcing a smile.
"You're up early," he remarked, stepping inside. "Couldn't sleep?"
"Something like that," Sophie said, closing the book in her hands and setting it back on the shelf.
Daniel studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "You've seemed... distant lately. Is everything okay?"
Her stomach twisted at the concern in his voice. She hated lying to him, but the truth felt too dangerous. "I've just been overwhelmed with the wedding planning," she said softly. "It's a lot."
Daniel nodded, his expression easing. "I get that. My mother can be... intense."
"That's one word for it," Sophie muttered, earning a small chuckle from him.
Daniel stepped closer, placing his coffee cup on the desk. "You know you can tell me if something's bothering you, right? We're in this together."
The sincerity in his voice made her chest ache. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he'd understand the storm brewing inside her. But the secrets she carried felt like an unbridgeable chasm between them.
"Of course," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The day passed in a haze of wedding preparations. Sophie moved through the motions, nodding and smiling at the appropriate moments as the wedding planner went over the details. She tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous night's conversation with Ethan and the ominous papers she'd seen in Maxwell's study.
By the time evening rolled around, she was emotionally exhausted. She retreated to the garden for some fresh air, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. The estate was quiet, the distant hum of crickets the only sound.
"Escaping again?" Ethan's voice cut through the stillness, his tone laced with amusement.
Sophie turned to see him leaning against a tree, his silhouette sharp against the fading light. She let out a frustrated sigh. "Do you always have to show up uninvited?"
"Think of it as a talent," Ethan replied, pushing off the tree and walking toward her.
"What do you want, Ethan?" she asked, her patience wearing thin.
"To talk," he said simply. "You've been digging around, haven't you?"
Her pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play coy, Sophie," Ethan said, his gaze piercing. "I saw you in Maxwell's study. And I'm guessing you've started to realize there's more to this family than meets the eye."
Sophie crossed her arms, her voice steady despite the unease creeping through her. "If you have something to say, just say it."
Ethan hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, she thought he might brush it off, but then he spoke, his voice low. "Maxwell's been hiding something—something big. The papers you saw are just the tip of the iceberg."
"What kind of something?" Sophie pressed, her heart pounding.
"Financial manipulation. Corruption. Deals that could ruin this family if they ever came to light," Ethan said, his tone grim. "And that's just the start."
Sophie's breath caught. She wanted to dismiss his words as exaggeration, but the conviction in his voice was undeniable. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're about to marry into this mess," Ethan said, his gaze softening slightly. "And I'm not sure you know what you're getting yourself into."
The sound of voices approaching made Sophie tense. She glanced toward the house, her chest tightening as she recognized Daniel and Charlotte's voices.
"Go," she hissed at Ethan. "If they see us together—"
Ethan held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm gone."
He slipped into the shadows just as Daniel and Charlotte appeared at the edge of the garden. Charlotte's sharp eyes scanned the area, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"There you are," she said, her tone brisk. "The caterer needs your approval on the menu."
"Of course," Sophie said quickly, falling into step beside Charlotte.
Daniel lingered for a moment, his gaze sweeping the garden. For a brief second, Sophie thought he might have seen Ethan, but he said nothing, following them inside.
Later that night, Sophie sat in her room, her thoughts a tangled mess. Ethan's warning replayed in her mind, each word weaving a thread of doubt into her already fraying resolve. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she reached her godfather's name.
Victor Grant had always been a steady presence in her life, a source of guidance when things felt uncertain. She hesitated for a moment before hitting call.
"Sophie," Victor's warm voice greeted her. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Hi, Victor," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I need your advice."
"Of course," he said, concern creeping into his tone. "What's going on?"
Sophie took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the phone. "It's about the Harpers. I think... I think something's wrong."
Victor was silent for a moment before replying, his voice cautious. "What makes you say that?"
Sophie hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I've seen things—papers, conversations. And Ethan... he said Maxwell's hiding something."
"Ethan?" Victor's tone sharpened. "You've been talking to him?"
"Only briefly," Sophie said quickly. "But he seems to know more than he's letting on."
Victor sighed, the sound heavy. "Sophie, be careful. The Harpers are powerful, and they don't take kindly to anyone digging into their affairs."
"I just want to know the truth," she said, her voice firm.
"The truth can be dangerous," Victor warned. "But if you're determined, I'll do what I can to help."
"Thank you," Sophie said softly, a flicker of relief easing her tension.
As the call ended, Sophie leaned back against the pillows, her heart still racing. The first crack in the Harper family's facade had appeared, and
she had a sinking feeling it was only the beginning.