As the weeks passed, Amara found herself more comfortable in the Bennett family than she ever expected. At first, the frequent dinners and family gatherings were daunting, but now they had become part of her routine. Noah's mother, Evelyn, had taken a particular interest in her, inviting Amara over for lunch one afternoon while Noah was at work. Amara wasn't sure what to expect, but she had a feeling it was going to be more than just a casual conversation.
Seated in the elegant dining room, with the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, Amara felt a slight pang of discomfort. Evelyn's sharp eyes were on her, though her expression was warm and welcoming. The older woman poured tea and offered her a gentle smile.
"Amara," Evelyn began, her voice as poised as ever, "I wanted to talk to you about something."
Amara straightened in her seat, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Of course. Is everything alright?"
Evelyn studied her for a moment, her fingers tapping the side of her porcelain teacup. "I've been watching you and Noah together," she said finally. "You've been wonderful for him. I can see the way he looks at you, and I can tell there's something real between you two."
Amara's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure how to respond. Was this a trap? A test to see if she would confess that their relationship was fake? Or was Evelyn genuinely seeing something deeper?
"I—" Amara hesitated. "Noah is… an incredible man. I care about him a lot."
Evelyn's smile widened, but there was a glint of something else in her eyes—something sharper. "I know my son well enough to know when he's hiding something, but I also know when he's falling in love."
Amara's breath caught in her throat. She wanted to deny it, to claim that she and Noah were just playing a part, but the truth was harder to ignore now. Noah had become more than just a business arrangement. The late-night conversations, the shared laughter, and even the way he would brush her hair out of her face—it had all become so natural.
Evelyn leaned in slightly, her voice soft but firm. "I'm not blind, dear. Whatever arrangement you two have, it's clear that feelings are involved. I just want to make sure you're both ready to face what comes next."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Amara felt her stomach tighten. What did come next? Could she handle this growing connection with Noah, knowing that their relationship had been built on a lie?
"I'll take care of him," Amara whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Evelyn reached out and placed her hand over Amara's. "I know you will. Just be sure to take care of yourself too."
As they finished their tea, Amara couldn't shake the feeling that Evelyn knew more than she was letting on. But rather than feeling trapped, she felt a strange sense of comfort. Maybe it wasn't so bad that their feelings were starting to blur the lines.