Meeting His People

AUTHOR’S POV

The next morning Rhea woke up feeling exhausted but strangely excited.

She had dreamed about Rowan again.

Blushing slightly, she hurried to get dressed for school. She found Lyra by the lockers and pulled her aside by the elbow.

“I have to tell you something.”

Lyra gave her the look. “You’re doing the face.”

“What face?” Rhea asked trying to hide her excitement.

“The face you make when something either very good or very stupid happened,” Lyra replied.

Rhea took a shaky breath. “I’m going to be his bride,” she said.

For a moment, the noise around them faded.

Lyra froze. Her eyes widened slowly. “Whose bride?”

“Rowan’s. Mr. Rowan,” Rhea said, the excitement spilling out of her voice.

Lyra stared at her as she had just spoken madness. “Rhea.”

“I know how it sounds,” Rhea said quickly.

Lyra shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. “You need sleep.”

Rhea said nothing more. She simply lifted the card and held it out to her.

Lyra took the card carefully, as if it might burn her fingers. She turned it over and read the name embossed on the front. Then she flipped it again, her brows pulling together.

“You stole this,” Lyra said.

Rhea actually laughed and took the card back from her. “I didn’t steal it,” Rhea said.

Lyra frowned harder. “Then how…” Lyra started.

“I told you,” Rhea cut in.

Lyra pointed a finger straight at her. “No, no. Go into details,” Lyra said firmly. “I want every tea.”

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After school, the two friends were walking toward the gate when a sleek car suddenly pulled up beside them.

They both froze.

The car door opened and Rowan stepped out like he was in slow motion. His shirt hung slightly open, revealing tattoos and a muscular chest. Even the women passing by turned to look.

Lyra grabbed Rhea’s arm in shock.

“Oh my God.”

Rowan looked directly at Rhea and said, “Get in.”

Lyra slowly turned to her friend.

“You must teach me your ways,” she whispered before quickly greeting Rowan politely and running off.

Rhea shyly climbed into the car, clutching her bag nervously.

She wanted to ask where they were going but her throat felt dry.

After a short drive, the car stopped in front of a large mall.

Rowan stepped out and opened the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Don’t worry, it won’t be long. Just a change of outfit and we’re out,” Rowan said, noticing her discomfort.

One outfit? The words rang in Rhea’s head.

“Why?” Rhea blurted out, the question escaping before she could stop herself.

“My family is waiting to see you,” Rowan said as he headed inside. “Especially my Noona.”

The color slowly drained from Rhea’s face. She had always known this day would come… but she definitely wasn’t prepared for it.

Inside, she tried on dress after dress while Rowan sat with his arms folded, shaking his head at each one. When he finally nodded, Rhea realized she couldn’t reach the zipper, and Rowan quietly stepped in to help.

She stood facing the mirror while he moved behind her and gathered the fabric. His fingers brushed the bare skin of her back — the lightest graze and she forgot to breathe. She watched his reflection, his focus entirely on the zip, his jaw set in concentration. The pull of the zipper was slow and deliberate. Warm air seemed to leave the room.

When he finished, he stepped back. She stood there a moment before remembering to move.

They soon left the mall. When they arrived at their destination, the uneasiness crept back in.

As she stepped out of the car, Rowan reached over and straightened the fabric on her shoulder. Her knees went soft. She locked them and breathed.

His hand rested briefly on her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Don’t worry, they don’t bite.”

But when they entered the dining room, Rhea immediately realized something.

They did not need to bite.

Their stares alone were already enough to make her feel like prey. Then whispers followed.

Rowan’s elegant stepmother stood up slowly and walked toward them with a graceful smile that did not reach her eyes.

“Rowan.” She extended her hands. “You didn’t tell us you were bringing a new caretaker for Noona.”

Her sharp gaze slid toward Rhea with clear disdain.

Rowan stepped forward before she could touch him.

“Everyone,” he said, his voice steady, filling the room without effort. “Meet Rhea.”

Whispers still filled the air, but Rowan continued, “My wife to be.”

The dining room fell completely silent.

All eyes in the dining room fell on Rhea.

The sudden silence felt heavy, like the air itself had thickened. Her legs weakened under the weight of those stares, and for a moment she wondered if she might actually collapse right there.

Apart from one elderly woman seated at the far end of the table, every other face looked at her with clear judgment. Some looked annoyed, offended and some couldn’t even hide their disgust.

Rowan’s hand found hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. The small gesture grounded her, easing the tension.

“Come, child.”

The elderly woman spoke warmly, breaking the silence.

Rhea hesitated and glanced at Rowan.

He gave a small nod, encouraging her.

She crossed the room and bent in greeting. Before she could straighten, the woman pulled her into a warm hug.

“Oh, look at you!” the woman exclaimed happily. “Such a beautiful girl.”

Rhea blinked in surprise.

The warmth in the woman’s voice felt genuine, and it eased some of the tightness in her chest.

Rowan’s Noona kept showering Rhea with praise, even asking her to sit closer. The others at the table were not pleased, but all they could do was murmur among themselves.

Soon the servants arrived with different dishes. Rowan took his time passing plates her way, refilling her water before she could ask. Rhea ate nervously, barely chewing.

As they ate, Noona introduced her to everyone at the table. Each of them gave Rhea a forced smile, and she returned the same polite smile.

Soon the suffocating meal came to an end. Noona stepped out with Rowan, leaving Rhea alone with the wolves at the table.

Immediately the door clicked closed, and the wolves bared their teeth ready to attack.

Rowan’s stepmother leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

“So,” she said coldly.

“How much?”

Rhea blinked in confusion.

“I’m sorry?”

The woman smirked.

“Don’t pretend to be clueless, child. How much do you want to take your cheap self out of my son’s life?”

Rhea stared at her in shock.

For a moment she thought it was some cruel joke.

But the woman’s expression was deadly serious.

Before Rhea could respond, an elderly man sitting nearby chuckled.

“Now now,” he said lazily. “Let the poor girl be. She simply wants to marry into wealth. Nothing wrong with ambition.”

Rhea’s fists clenched in anger, but she swallowed it down. Soon a file was passed across the table. They had already investigated Rhea—of course, they had. Rowan’s stepmother had made it her duty to make Rowan’s business hers.

Just when Rhea thought it was over, a few sniffled laughs broke out. One of the aunts leaned back and said, “Oh, your father is a branch manager? Oh please.” Her tone dripped with mockery.

“I guess he sent you off to my son hoping for a promotion,” Rowan’s stepmother added, the woman beside her giggling.

Rhea couldn’t take it anymore. She could endure them talking down on her, but definitely not her father. Just as she was about to speak, a voice thundered from behind.

“Enough.”

Rowan was practically fuming, his face flushed red as he grabbed Rhea’s arm. Then he turned to his stepmother, who was already opening her mouth to defend herself.

“Not everyone is as desperate as you.”

Then he faced his father. “Pops, tame your whore… or I will.”

With that, he stormed out, dragging Rhea along with him, his grip tight around her hand.