Chapter 5: In the garden

COLE

It was finally time to meet my bride's family, and was I nervous? Of course not. There was no one I was looking forward to impressing. If anything, I'd prefer they didn't see me as their ideal son-in-law so they wouldn't expect much from me.

I really would have loved to wear my usual stylish shirt and trousers, Dad had sent me back to change into an uncomfortable suit with a tie that felt like it was choking me.

I stared out of the window as Elena's face flashed through my mind. As much as I looked forward to seeing her again, I still hated the arrangement.

“You look too calm for someone who's about to meet his in-laws,” Xander said beside me, drawing my attention away from the window.

The expression on his face made me question his claim that he no longer had feelings for Elena.

“And you're looking almost as though they're your in-laws we're about to meet,” I replied, noticing the beads of sweat on his forehead despite the air conditioning.

He laughed, but I could still hear the nervousness in it.

“I'm fine. I'm just concerned about you. Remember how my in-laws kept throwing questions at me when I first met them?”

I shrugged. “I'm not going there to impress anybody.”

He gave me a long look, something unreadable passing through his eyes before he smiled and looked away.

“Are you sure you have no feelings left for her?” I asked.

He turned towards me immediately. “Elena? Of course not. Why?”

I grinned. “I just wanted to be sure. You know, since we're getting married.”

His fist tightened for the briefest moment before he looked away, and I couldn't stop the satisfaction that crept into my chest.

Interesting.

We soon arrived at the Hart residence. As I stepped out of the car, I found Dad already exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Hart, which wasn't surprising since he'd travelled separately.

I walked towards them and briefly met Elena's eyes. She looked away, but a moment later, she turned back with a smile.

I returned it, wondering how something as simple as her smile could make me look forward to this marriage a little more.

At least one thing about marrying Elena was appealing. I wouldn't have to keep wondering when I'd get another chance to be around her.

I greeted her parents politely, and they welcomed us inside.

The older men soon settled into their discussion, but just as we were about to take our seats, they suggested Elena and I spend some time together.

I didn't object. Sitting through a business discussion would have been the last thing I wanted anyway.

Elena led me into a beautiful garden, and I couldn't help looking around. We didn't have anything like this at home. Our garden was practically a training ground where Dad practised archery and his shooting lessons.

The breeze was refreshing, and I was already tempted to take off my suffocating suit.

“Nice suit,” Elena complimented, turning towards me as the wind swept her long hair across her face.

“I was just about to take it off.”

“Such a shame. I actually like how it looks on you.”

She pouted before turning away, and I chuckled.

“Everything looks good on me.”

She scoffed, making my grin widen.

I spotted a bench facing the fountain in the middle of the garden and headed towards it. Elena continued walking, taking in her surroundings as though she'd never seen the place before.

I settled onto the bench, crossed my legs, loosened my tie, and watched her until she finally returned.

“Weren't you going to ask me something?” she asked.

“Like what?”

“Why I agreed to marry you.”

I smirked. “Just as I have my reasons, I'm sure you have yours.”

She nodded, seeming to accept that answer.

“But I do have another question,” I added.

She turned towards me with interest. “Go on.”

“Would you have agreed to this marriage if it were just anyone?”

“I don't think so.”

“Then why agree to marry me when you know I'm not your five-year boyfriend?”

She paused before answering.

“At least you're honest. You don't pretend to be someone you're not. I can bear almost anything except being deceived a second time.”

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

She thought I was honest?

Interesting. Most people were quick to condemn me for my lifestyle, comparing me to Xander as though he were the perfect son while I was the family disappointment. Yet Elena had managed to see something in me that I hadn't expected anyone to notice.

I cleared my throat before she could realise her words had affected me.

“Fair enough.”

She smiled, and I rose from the bench.

“Want to see my pet?” she asked.

“Not particularly. I'm interested in something else.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “What's that?”

I took a step closer, enjoying the way her attention settled on me.

“The brown-eyed beauty standing right in front of me.”

A blush crept across her cheeks, and for a moment, she looked almost shy. I was about to tease her about it when a familiar voice interrupted us.

“Elena!”

Xander appeared from nowhere, his gaze fixed on her.

“Can I have a minute with you?”

The change in Elena was immediate. The little smile that had been playing on her lips disappeared, replaced by something I couldn't quite understand.

She glanced at me, almost as though she were waiting for my permission.

I gave her a small nod, curious about what my brother wanted with her.

She followed him, and I expected her to return a few minutes later.

She didn't.

One of the staff members eventually came to get me, informing me that everyone was waiting at the table.

By the time I arrived, the meal had already been served. Elena was seated opposite me, with Xander beside her.

I was glad to have a clear view of her, at least, but her expression was nothing like the one she'd worn in the garden. She barely spoke throughout the meal, and the few times I caught her looking in my direction, she quickly looked away.

What the hell had Xander said to her?

I considered speaking to her after the meal, but the moment everyone stood up, she disappeared. I didn't see her again before we left.

By the time I got home, I still couldn't get her out of my mind. After a few minutes of arguing with myself, I decided to text her.

That was when I noticed a message from her number.

I opened it immediately, expecting perhaps an explanation for her sudden change in mood.

Instead, my eyes froze on the screen.

“I lied earlier. I only agreed to marry you because you're my second and only option after Xander dumped me. So don't get too excited, because I still love him, regardless.“

For a few seconds, I simply stared at the words.

Then my grip tightened around the phone.

So that was it?

I had actually believed her when she'd said she valued my honesty. For a moment, she'd made me feel as though she saw something in me that everyone else had overlooked.

What a fool I'd been.

If she thought she could use me to get over my brother, she was about to learn a lesson she'd never forget.