4 - Dinner

MORGANA FOSTER

In the car, the journey to the Burke mansion was silent. Ryan didn't try to start a conversation, and I wouldn't insist on bothering him. Silence would reign throughout the way.

As he drove, I looked at the street, reminiscing about how all of this started and how I ended up here.

"Who would have thought that little Morgana Melissa Foster would be married at twenty-three to such a handsome and powerful guy like Ryan Burke."

I glanced sideways at the man driving the black Rolls-Royce. Perfectly sculpted in his black suit.

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at my own life.

In the first year of marriage to Ryan, I was sure I could win his heart if I were truthful and showed him that I was willing to do anything for us.

So I cooked my best dishes and sweets, took care of him when he was sick, did everything possible. But it didn't help much since he spent most of his time on business trips and the majority of his free time with Elena.

No matter how kind and caring I was to him, I realized he didn't care. From then on, in the last two years of medical school, I focused my time on getting an internship and building my career. Swearing to myself that I would leave him behind and focus on my own future.

I could hardly believe that I had managed to graduate with honors. Being a prodigy had its small benefits, right? Entering college earlier also benefited a lot when writing the recommendation to work at San Rose.

If all went well, by the beginning of next year, I would be employed and happy. A few long months until then, but that's okay. Just stay focused.

The entrance to the mansion of the elder Burke's was surrounded by Purple Ipe trees that formed a stunning path during spring. From there to the entrance of the house were a few really fascinating kilometers. I never got tired of looking in awe at them when I went there.

When the car stopped, I adjusted myself to unbuckle the seatbelt, and Ryan had already gotten out and opened the door. I would have found this behavior strange if the memories of where I was hadn't thrown me abruptly to the ground.

"He always acted kindly and courteously when we visited the grandparents and his mother. Today would be another day of theater and pretense. Come on, Morgana, be Mrs. Burke now." — I thought as I straightened my dress.

Ryan had his arm extended, waiting for us to enter together.

"Do you still remember how to do this?" he inquired.

"Don't take me for a fool, Mr. Ryan, okay?" I replied with a hint of anger. "We've done this charade so many times that I deserve an Oscar!"

Ryan laughed. We had been doing this for so long that there was no way we could be bad at it.

Before reaching the entrance, the house doors opened, and Sorya, Ryan's mother, welcomed us.

"There you are!" She had a huge smile while exchanging greetings. The woman with black hair and sapphire eyes was always kind to me, even though she only talked about wanting grandchildren. She was pleasant and took care of me like no one else. "I thought you wouldn't come anymore. Did something happen?"

"Hi, Mom!" Ryan replied. With his mother, he was always pleasant and polite.

"Nothing happened, Mrs. Burke!" I replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I just overslept, and we ended up running late. I was very tired from the trip back."

"Oh, I see." She examined my body from top to bottom, as usual, always looking for a sign of pregnancy but never finding one. "You look stunning today, my dear!"

"Did you like it? It was a gift from Grandma Burke. I thought it was fitting to wear it today since I didn't have another opportunity to visit you."

"She always had good taste!" She smiled warmly. "I heard about your father; I'm sorry! How are you feeling?"

That hit me like a punch and made me taste blood in my mouth. At least, Mother cared enough to ask how I was feeling.

"Thank you for asking, Mother-in-law; I'm fine." I replied with a forced and dull smile.

"Let's go inside; it's getting cold." Ryan took his mother's hand, leading her inside, and I followed. There was a small part of me that had died with my father two months ago, but I was fine now. It was all worth it.

Upon entering the house, you could see the main hall, which was decorated every year to always be updated. The walls in white tones with golden boiseries contrasted with the gray sofa around the room. There was also a large black rug with a coffee table and a vase full of flowers, tulips, Mrs. Burke's favorites. The spacious room exuded refinement and elegance, and all the relatives were present, including Ryan's unbearable uncles.

Cibila Parsons and Ned Parsons, the two always treated me with disdain and mockery; they were the only ones bothered by me since I married young Ryan.

He wasn't their son, so I couldn't understand where so much repulsion for my presence in the family came from. "Finally!" Cibila shouted with a sour face. "I thought I would starve if you didn't show up!"

"Don't be exaggerated, Aunt." Ryan replied, smiling at her and kissing her hand. He was a charming man effortlessly. Always fragrant and well-dressed. A delight, indeed.

"Excuse us, aunt; it really wasn't our intention." I replied with a weak and sweet smile. "Always with lame excuses." Ned rolled his eyes upon hearing my apologies. I didn't understand his hatred for me; I always ignored them.

The Burkes had two daughters, Sorya, Ryan's mother, who had taken over her grandfather's place in the family's technology and security company a few years ago, and Cibila, the mother of twins Nick and Stefan. Nick had big blue eyes, tan skin, straight hair, full lips, and a slim body that resembled Ned. He currently owned a chain of restaurants.

Stefan, on the other hand, was the opposite, blond with blue eyes, tall and muscular, managing a network of shopping centers across the country. All the Burke family members were very successful in their respective areas, and the capital accumulated by old Burke exceeded fifteen billion, divided into properties and companies in various fields. They probably thought, like Ryan, that I was here interested in that money.

But they were wrong. I couldn't wait for this to be over.

"Miss Foster!" Nick spoke, smiling, hugging me in greeting, his arms completely enveloping me. "You look beautiful tonight! My cousin is really a lucky man." He gave a shameless and malicious smile. My cheeks warmed, and I moved away from his body.

Ryan cleared his throat as a warning to his cousin. The situation was starting to make him a little uncomfortable. "Kind of you!" I replied, smiling awkwardly, returning the hug and quickly letting go.

"Really! Ryan is a lucky man!" Stefan teased, approaching and analyzing the dress. I smiled and looked down with a little embarrassment. At least someone in this family treated me like a woman and not just some opportunist.