6

Elara stared at his back as he walked inside the mansion until he was out of sight.

What was she thinking? That everyone will be nice like her or pretend to be nice like Henry.

She has brought this upon herself, so she has to handle it. She took a deep breath, the soft air hitting her skin.

A maid approached her.

“Welcome Mrs Harrington, please come with me…”

“Do not call me that! It's Elara!” She shouted at the maid.

“I'm sorry, ma'am, please come with me.” The maid said and bowed shortly.

Elara was so angry, she did not even feel like she was rude to the maid or not.

“Lead the way.” She ordered and the maids bowed.

Elara followed the maid. Her eyes scanned her environment as she walked. She will admit to herself again, Alex is rich. His mansion screams wealth, and it's beautiful.

***

On Harrington island, Genevieve called a family meeting. They all sat at the dining table to have dinner and at the same time discuss whatever she wanted to discuss.

“Mother, your grandson got married without my presence.” Tiana, Alex’s aunt said, her face expression bitter enough to know she's not in a good mood.

“He didn’t give anyone a special invitation, he said he's getting married!” Genevieve said. “Tiana, why are you always like this?”

Nobody said anything, they all know Tiana wouldn't even attend the wedding because it's related to Alex. And if she did, she has plans for the wedding.

Tiana let out a quiet, bitter laugh, shaking her head as she leaned back in her chair.

“So everyone was there except me.” Her gaze slid across the table, sharp and accusing. “How touching.”

Julian, Alex’s brother sighed, clearly already irritated. He dropped his fork with a soft clink against the plate.

“Don’t start, Tiana. You were informed. You chose not to come.” he said.

“Oh please,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes. “An announcement is not an invitation, Julian. Or have standards in this family dropped that low?”

Julian leaned forward slightly,“You wouldn’t have come even if he begged you.” he said.

That hit her, Tiana glared with hatred in her eyes.

“Watch your mouth!” she snapped at him.

“Why?” Julian shot back, unfazed. “We all know how you feel about Alex. Let’s not pretend this is about manners or respect. You just don’t like him and me because of one silly reason.”

Tiana’s lips curved into a thin smile. “Don’t reduce it to something so simple. Dislike is too mild.”

Genevieve’s voice cut in, firm. “Tiana…”

But Julian didn’t stop. “Then what is it? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re angry you missed a wedding you never planned to attend.”

Tiana placed her glass down slowly, deliberately. “I’m angry,” she said, her voice quieter now, colder, “because that boy continues to make decisions that reflect poorly on this family.”

Julian let out a short, humorless chuckle. “Marrying someone he chose reflects poorly on the family?”

“Yes,” she snapped, eyes flashing. “When it’s done impulsively, without proper structure, without…”

“Without your approval?” Julian cut in. “Because you're the CEO of Harrington Global or your son is the one feeding us?”

Some laughed secretly and Tiana glared angrily. Her jaw tightened.

Genevieve watched them both, her expression unreadable, but she didn’t interfere this time.

Tiana exhaled sharply, regaining her composure. “Who is she?”

No one answered immediately.

Her gaze narrowed. “That’s what I thought.”

Julian leaned back, crossing his arms. “You’re not entitled to every detail, Tiana.”

“I’m entitled to know who just married into this family,” she replied, her tone sharpening again. “Or are we now bringing strangers into Harrington Island without question?”

Julian’s eyes darkened slightly. “She’s not a stranger to Alex. That’s what matters.”

Tiana tilted her head, studying him.

“You’ve met her?” she questioned.

“Please, mother is here to discuss something with us and you're busy creating unnecessary scenes.” An elder in the family said.

“Tiana you would wish to be there if you watch the videos, he really loves his wife.” Another muttered.

Genevieve smiled, she has never seen Alex cared about someone that way.

Tiana scoffed.

“She’s not even what you’re expecting.” Julian muttered.

Julian didn’t look away, his expression hardened, something colder settling behind his eyes.

Tiana leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with deliberate elegance.

“You sound protective,” she mused. “Should I be concerned, Julian? Or intrigued?”

“Neither,” he replied flatly. “Just don’t start something you can’t finish.”

A soft scoff escaped her lips. “You really think I’m afraid of a girl I’ve never met?”

“No,” Julian said. “I think you underestimate situations you can’t control. You claimed your son is responsible but he couldn't even help with one preparation.”

Tiana’s fingers stilled against her glass, but she quickly recovered, tilting her head slightly.

“Alex getting married is none of his business.”She said, though she was really angry her son didn't show up.

“Enough!” Genevieve’s voice cut through it, sharper than before.

Both of them became silent, but neither looked away from the other.

“This is a family dinner, not a battlefield,” she continued. “And whether you like it or not, Alex is married. That fact will not change because you’re displeased, Tiana.”

Tiana exhaled slowly, leaning back once more.

“I never said I wanted it to change.” Her gaze drifted lazily around the table before returning to Genevieve.

“I just want to understand what kind of woman walks into a family like ours uninvited.”

“She was invited,” Julian corrected. “By her husband.”

Tiana chuckled softly. “That’s not the same thing.”

Julian’s voice dropped. “It is to him.”

“And that’s exactly the problem,” she replied.

Genevieve set her napkin down, her patience thinning.

“What problem?” Genevieve asked.

“She’s already influencing him,” Tiana continued. “Marriage this sudden? Without the usual structure, without consultation? That’s not like Alex.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Something changed.”

Julian’s eyes darkened. “People change.”

“Not him,” she said firmly.

“You don’t know him as well as you think, you don't even like my brother ever since our parents died. You've only wanted your son to be the CEO. Weren’t you the same person that insisted he get married to prove he's responsible for the CEO position.” Julian replied.

Tiana held his gaze for a long moment then smiled again, Julian was right, no denying of that.

“You’re right,” she said. “Which is exactly why I’ll meet his so-called wife.”

“Enough!” Genevieve shouted.

Everywhere became silent instantly.

“I called this meeting so we could plan a surprise reception for my grandson. Tiana whether you attend the wedding or not, it's none of our business. I'll make this clear, my grandson is married and he chose his woman himself. So you'll, including Tiana, welcome her and treat her well anytime she visits here!” Genevieve said, her voice filled with command.

Tiana's eyes gleamed over the rim of the glass as she took a slow sip. She was never interested about who Alex married but now she wants how that woman will survive being Alex's wife.