Meet my parents

Ariana pov

“And one more problem,” I said, arms crossed. “We still need to meet my parents.”

Ethan, for the first time since I met him, actually looked caught off guard. “What?”

I raised a brow. “Did you forget that’s part of the marriage process?”

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. “Oh. Right.” Then, just as quickly, he stood up. “Go get dressed. We’re going to meet them now.”

I blinked. “Wait—what?”

“This night?”

“Yes, this night.” His tone was flat, like it wasn’t even up for debate. “I don’t like to waste time when I can get things done.” He checked his watch. “So unless you want me dragging you there in whatever you’re wearing now, go change.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could even get a word in, he turned and called out, “Maria.”

The maid appeared beside me so fast I nearly jumped.

“Get my fiancée ready,” Ethan ordered. “We’re going to meet her parents.”

“Okay, sir.”

Before I could protest, Maria gently took my arm and led me upstairs.

Everything after that was a blur.

My long black hair was styled into a sleek bun, and minimal makeup was applied to my face. The evening gown Maria picked out was simple but elegant—not too flashy, but still enough to make me feel different. Like I was stepping into a role I wasn’t sure how to play yet.

I walked down the stairs, my heart thudding a little too hard when I saw Ethan standing there, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. For once, I didn’t trip. Small miracles.

Without a word, he took my hand, not even sparing me a glance as we stepped outside and into the car.

“Where do they live?” he asked, his voice steady as he pulled out his phone.

I exhaled. “1457 Willow Creek Drive.”

The drive was quiet. Uncomfortably so.

Ethan had one hand on the wheel, the other tapping lightly against his knee. His eyes stayed focused on the road, cold and unreadable, like he had a thousand other things on his mind.

I sat stiffly beside him, hands gripping my dress, trying to ignore the way my stomach twisted.

This was a mistake.

This was such a mistake.

What the hell was I even going to say? “Hey, Mom and Dad, surprise! I’m engaged to a billionaire I barely know, and yes, it’s definitely for love, and no, you don’t need to look too closely at the details!”

I exhaled, pressing my forehead to the window.

Ethan didn’t acknowledge me. Didn’t even glance my way.

I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or irritated by that.

When the car finally pulled into the driveway of my childhood home, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

The house was the same as always—two stories, a bit worn down, with the porch light flickering like it had been for years.

And yet, in this dress, in this car, with Ethan Cole sitting beside me like a goddamn storm cloud, it suddenly felt foreign.

“You ready?” His voice was low, uninterested, like this was just another business meeting.

No. Not even close.

But I nodded anyway.

Ethan stepped out first, walking around to open my door. His movements were smooth, calculated, like nothing about this moment rattled him. Like he did things like this all the time.

I swallowed hard and stepped out.

The second I did, the front door swung open.

“Ariana!” My mother’s voice rang out, too high-pitched, too excited. “Oh, sweetheart, look at you!”

I barely had time to react before she was pulling me into a tight hug, her perfume suffocating.

She pulled back, her eyes scanning my face, then flicking behind me to Ethan.

And just like that, her expression changed.

“Oh,” she breathed, eyes widening. “Oh my—?

Ethan stepped forward, offering a polite but distant smile. “Ethan Cole. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carter.”

A pause.

Then, my mother’s entire face lit up like she had just won the damn lottery.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she practically gushed, reaching out to shake his hand. She held on a little too long. “My goodness, Ariana, you didn’t tell me you were seeing someone!”

I stiffened.

Before I could say anything, my father appeared in the doorway. His gaze flicked between me and Ethan, his mouth pressing into a thin line.

Ethan stood at the door like he owned the place, one hand in his pocket, the other extended toward my father.

“Ethan Cole,” he said smoothly.

My dad didn’t shake his hand. He just blinked. Stared. Then blinked again.

“Wait. The Ethan Cole?”

Ethan’s lips curved slightly, but there was no humor in it. “I wasn’t aware there was another.”

My mom sucked in a breath, glancing between me and Ethan like she’d misheard. “Ariana, what’s going on?”

Before I could answer, Emma appeared, long, dark hair tumbling over her shoulders, blue eyes gleaming with curiosity.She didn’t even pretend to acknowledge me.

“Wow. You should’ve told me you were bringing a guest, Ari.” She stepped in close, tilting her head just enough to let her hair fall over her shoulder. “And not just any guest. Ethan Cole.”

I felt Ethan tense beside me.

Emma’s eyes dragged over him shamelessly, her voice dropping into something softer. “I’ve read so much about you.”

He didn’t even look at her. “Good for you.”

Emma’s smile twitched. “I just mean—you’re even more impressive in person.”

Ethan exhaled like he was already done with this conversation. “I’m not here to impress you.”

Emma blinked, momentarily thrown off, obviously not used to rejection . But before she could regroup, he turned to my parents.

“We’re engaged,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “The wedding is next week.”

Silence crashed over the room.

My mom’s hand flew to her chest. “You’re what?”

My dad frowned. “Ariana, is this a joke?”

I opened my mouth, but Ethan answered first. “Do I look like I have time for jokes?”

My parents exchanged a stunned look. Then, almost as if a switch flipped, their shock melted into something else entirely.

My mom’s eyes lit up. “Oh my goodness! This is—wow, this is amazing news!”

My stomach twisted. That was too fast.

My dad’s expression smoothed over, his eyes flicking to Emma. “Well now, this is… unexpected.”

Emma, still processing, finally snapped out of her daze. “You can’t be serious.”

“Well, Ethan,” my dad said, laughing awkwardly, “if we’re talking about marriage, I mean, of course Ariana is… wonderful. But Emma—Emma’s always been the social one, you know? Knows how to handle events, network—”

“Not interested,” Ethan said flatly.

My mom clapped her hands together, her voice slightly too high-pitched. “Now, now, no one’s saying to change anything! But, Ethan, dear, wouldn’t you like to get to know Emma a little before making such a big decision?”

Ethan turned to me. “Are they always this desperate?”

The air left my lungs.

Emma let out a small gasp, my dad cleared his throat, and my mom smoothed a hand over her dress like she hadn’t just been insulted.

Ethan turned back to them, completely unaffected. “I don’t date. I don’t waste time. I pick what benefits me.” His hand settled on my waist. “And I’ve already made my choice.”

Emma’s expression cracked, her fingers curling into fists.

I barely heard my parents’ forced laughter over the pounding in my ears. I had walked into this house expecting resistance, but this? This was worse.

Because the only thing more unsettling than my parents’ quick acceptance—was how badly they had wanted Emma to take my place.