Lila's POV: Dinner Prep, or the Calm Before the Storm
"A family dinner to welcome my new husband," my mother had said. "What a lovely way to celebrate your marriage!"
Sure. Lovely.
If you ignored the fact that my so-called husband wasn't supposed to be my husband. Lovely, if you ignored the fact that my real almost-husband was currently en route to my parents' house to "fix this." Lovely, if you ignored the fact that Jackson Carter, the accidental bane of my existence, had just set my mother's oven to 500 degrees and was now rooting through her spice cabinet like he was preparing for a cooking show.
"Does your mom not believe in paprika?" Jackson asked, pulling out one jar after another and squinting at the labels.
"Stop touching things!" I hissed, trying to wrench a casserole dish out of his hands before he could cause more damage. "This isn't your kitchen!"
"Technically, it's your family's kitchen," he corrected with a maddening grin, leaning against the counter like he owned the place. "And since we're married, that makes it my kitchen by marriage. Isn't that how this works?"
"It absolutely does not work that way!"
He just shrugged and reached for a bottle of olive oil.
---
The Calm Before the Chaos
In the background, my mother, Margaret Harper, flitted from room to room, humming happily. She was practically vibrating with excitement over the dinner.
"Oh, Lila, isn't this just wonderful?" she trilled as she entered the kitchen, clasping her hands together. "I never thought you'd settle down so quickly! And Jackson—such a charming young man!"
I groaned internally. Of course she thought Jackson was charming. She didn't have to live with him.
"Mrs. Harper!" Jackson exclaimed, turning on the full wattage of his grin as he held up a suspiciously droopy bouquet of flowers. "These are for you. I hope they're as lovely as your daughter."
"Stop it," I mumbled.
Margaret practically melted on the spot, snatching the flowers like they were the crown jewels. "Oh, Jackson! You're too sweet."
"No wonder Lila's so beautiful," Jackson added smoothly. "Clearly it runs in the family. You could pass for her sister."
Margaret blushed, fanning herself like a Victorian heroine in a heatwave. "Oh, stop it, you!"
I buried my face in my hands. "Please, stop it."
---
Enter Ethan Grey: The Thundercloud
The sound of a sleek engine purred from the driveway, followed by the telltale clack of polished shoes on the walkway. I didn't have to look to know who had arrived.
Ethan Grey strode into the house like a man who owned not only the building but everyone in it. He carried an expensive bottle of wine that practically screamed I have money and taste, and his expression was icy enough to lower the room temperature.
"Ethan!" Margaret greeted him politely, though her excitement had noticeably cooled.
"Mrs. Harper," Ethan said with a curt nod, his eyes already scanning the room. They landed on Jackson, who was lounging in a dining chair, holding my family's dog like a small, furry trophy.
Ethan's jaw clenched. "You look… comfortable."
"What can I say?" Jackson replied, stroking the dog's ears with exaggerated affection. "Married life suits me."
Ethan set the wine down on the table with a bit too much force. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
"Both of you, stop it," I snapped, glaring at the two of them. "This is not a boxing ring—it's dinner!"
---
Dinner Begins: The Comedy of Errors
We finally sat down to eat, and I instantly regretted my life choices.
1. Margaret Dotes on Jackson
To my utter dismay, my mother was completely charmed by Jackson. He'd turned on his laid-back humor and was working the room like a pro.
"Lila is an angel," he said, leaning back in his chair with a lazy grin. "Did you know she alphabetizes her spice rack? She's the only reason my life is remotely organized."
I nearly choked on my drink. "What?"
Margaret gasped in delight. "Oh, Lila, I didn't know you were so domestic!"
"Because I'm not!" I sputtered. "He's lying!"
Jackson raised an innocent eyebrow. "You're saying you don't keep your pantry organized by type and size?"
"No! I don't even—" I stopped mid-sentence, realizing I was playing right into his hands. "You're the worst."
"Don't mind her," Jackson said to Margaret, winking. "She's just modest."
2. Edward Grills Jackson
If Margaret was charmed, my father, Edward Harper, was the complete opposite. He squinted at Jackson over his glass of whiskey like he was trying to solve a particularly complicated math problem.
"So, Jackson," he said, leaning forward. "What exactly do you do for a living?"
"A little of this, a little of that," Jackson replied vaguely.
Edward's expression darkened. "Be specific."
"Right now, I'm mostly in acquisitions," Jackson said, taking a sip of water.
Edward narrowed his eyes. "Acquisitions? Like what?"
Jackson grinned. "Mostly tacos."
I slapped a hand to my forehead as my father's scowl deepened.
3. Ethan Tries to Reassert Control
Sensing an opportunity, Ethan cleared his throat and steered the conversation toward the family business.
"Lila and I have been working hard to stabilize the company," he began, his tone smooth. "I've dedicated a lot of resources to ensuring its future."
"Has he?" Jackson asked, leaning toward me. "I don't remember him showing up to the wedding. Or the vows. Or the reception."
"Jackson," I warned through gritted teeth.
Margaret, oblivious to the tension, sighed happily. "Lila looks so happy now. Happier than she's ever looked before."
Jackson's grin widened. "See, Ethan? Maybe she just needed a little chaos in her life. Keeps things exciting."
---
The Chaos Escalates
1. The Food Disaster
It was only a matter of time before Jackson's earlier meddling in the kitchen came back to haunt us. My mother pulled the casserole out of the oven, only to realize it was burnt to a crisp.
"They say a little char adds flavor," Jackson said, holding up the casserole like it was a masterpiece.
Margaret laughed. "Oh, absolutely! Who needs dessert when we have such good company?"
Ethan, meanwhile, looked like he was reconsidering every life decision that had led him here.
2. The Dog Incident
At some point during the night, Jackson took the family dog outside for some fresh air. He accidentally locked himself out, then climbed back through a window just as Ethan entered the room.
Ethan crossed his arms, smirking. "Irresponsible and embarrassing. Typical."
"At least I didn't leave my wife at the altar," Jackson shot back. "Or, you know, miss the wedding entirely."
---
The Emotional Core
Amid the chaos, I had a rare moment of reflection.
For all his faults—and there were many—Jackson had managed to make my mother laugh more in one evening than I'd seen in years. My father looked genuinely intrigued, even if it was through gritted teeth. And Ethan… Ethan sat stiffly at the table, watching me like he'd just realized he'd lost something.
Had he ever cared about me? I wondered. Or was I just another business deal to him?
The Two Rivals Face Off
After dinner, Jackson and Ethan ended up alone in the kitchen.
"You're nothing but a mistake," Ethan hissed. "She's stuck with you because of a clerical error."
Jackson smirked. "Funny. She looks pretty happy for someone who made a mistake."
I walked in just as the tension reached its peak, throwing my hands in the air. "Oh, for the love of God, stop fighting over me! Both of you are driving me insane!"
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Last Line:
"One thing was clear: this 'marriage' was going to kill me before the annulment ever could."
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