POV: Aiden King
The penthouse was too quiet.
Aiden stood in the entryway, his keys still in his hand, staring at the empty living room. No textbooks on the coffee table. No soft music from Alina's room. No sign that anyone lived here except him.
A folded note on the kitchen counter caught his eye. Grandpa's precise handwriting: Aiden - Alina is staying with me for her safety. We need to talk. Come alone. - Edward
Safety? What the hell did that mean?
Aiden pulled out his phone and called his grandfather immediately.
"Grandpa, what's going on? Where's Alina?"
"She's safe. Which is more than I can say about the situation your mother created." Edward's voice was steel wrapped in velvet.
"What situation? I just got home—"
"Your mother paid Alina a visit today. Showed her some very interesting photographs and made some very specific threats."
Aiden's blood went cold. "What kind of photographs?"
"The kind that show you on one knee with a ring, proposing to another woman six months ago."
The world tilted. Mom had photos of the proposal. How was that even possible?
"Grandpa, I can explain—"
"Can you? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like your mother is trying to destroy an innocent woman." Edward's voice was dangerously quiet. "She knows about the contract, Aiden. Every detail. And she's using that information to terrorize Alina."
"I'll handle Mom."
"See that you do. Because if you don't, I will."
The line went dead.
Aiden stared at his phone, fury building in his chest. He'd known Mom disapproved of his marriage, but threatening Alina? That crossed every line.
Twenty minutes later, he was standing in his childhood home, facing his mother across the pristine living room that had never felt warm even when he was young.
"Aiden, darling," Mom said, rising from her chair with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "What an unexpected pleasure."
"What the hell did you do to Alina today?"
Her smile sharpened. "Oh, you mean my lovely chat with your temporary wife? She's quite charming. A bit naive, perhaps, but charming."
"You showed her photos of me and Veronica."
"I showed her the truth. Something you've been rather stingy with lately." Mom moved to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine. "The girl needed to understand her place in all this."
"Her place is as my wife."
"Temporarily," Mom corrected. "Let's not pretend this is anything more than a business arrangement to satisfy your grandfather's ridiculous requirements."
Aiden felt his jaw clench. "That doesn't give you the right to terrorize her."
"Terrorize? I simply explained the situation. That you love Veronica, that this marriage is temporary, and that she shouldn't get any ideas about making it permanent."
"You threatened her."
"I clarified expectations." Mom's tone was maddeningly calm. "The Johnsons and I have been having some very productive conversations. They're quite eager to see their daughter settled with the right sort of man once this charade ends."
"You've been working with Veronica's parents?"
"Coordinating our interests, you might say. We all want the same thing—to see you happy with the woman you actually love."
Aiden ran a hand through his hair, frustration building. "Mom, you need to back off. Completely. Leave Alina alone, stop talking to the Johnsons about my personal life, and let me handle this."
"Handle what? Your obligation to that orphan, or your relationship with Veronica?"
"Both. This arrangement with Alina is temporary—you're right about that. But she doesn't deserve to be made miserable while it lasts." Aiden's voice hardened. "And my relationship with Veronica is my business, not yours."
Mom's expression softened slightly. "Darling, I'm trying to protect what you have with Veronica. She's been so patient, so understanding about this impossible situation you're in."
"I know. I've already apologized to her for the television interview, explained that it was just damage control. Hopefully she understands." Aiden's voice carried the weight of genuine regret. "I'll do everything in my power to make this up to her. Alina is under my protection. She signed a contract in good faith, and she doesn't deserve to be collateral damage in family politics."
Mom studied him for a long moment. "You're quite serious about this."
"Dead serious. Stay away from her, Mom. I mean it."
An hour later, Aiden stood in Grandpa's foyer, watching his grandfather's face carefully as he explained the situation.
"I've made it clear to Mom that she's to leave Alina alone," Aiden said. "She won't be a problem anymore."
Edward's eyes were sharp as they studied his grandson.
Something flickered across Edward's expression, but he simply nodded. "I see. And Alina?"
"I need to talk to her. Make sure she understands that she's safe now."
Edward led him to the guest room where Alina sat at the window, staring out at the garden. She looked smaller somehow, more fragile than he'd ever seen her.
"Alina." His voice was carefully controlled, professional. "I've spoken with my mother. She won't bother you again."
Alina turned, her eyes guarded. "Thank you."
"I want you to come home. This arrangement doesn't work if you're hiding at Grandpa's house."
"I wasn't hiding. I was protecting myself."
"From my mother, yes. But I've handled that situation." Aiden's tone was businesslike, the same one he used in board meetings. "Mom understands now that this marriage serves a specific purpose and that her interference is counterproductive."
Alina's face went very still. "A specific purpose."
"The inheritance requirement. Nothing more, nothing less." Aiden's voice was matter-of-fact. "But that doesn't mean you should be mistreated while fulfilling your part of the contract."
He watched something die in her eyes, but continued anyway. "Pack your things. We have dinner tomorrow night with my parents and Grandpa. A family dinner to show that we're... united."
"Of course." Her voice was hollow. "Whatever the contract requires."
The next evening, Aiden adjusted his tie as they walked into his parents' dining room. Alina looked beautiful in a navy dress that she'd chosen carefully, her composure perfect despite everything that had happened.
"Darling!" Mom rose to greet them, her smile warm and welcoming as if the previous day's confrontation had never happened. "And Alina, you look lovely."
"Thank you, Mrs. King," Alina replied quietly.
"Please, call me Amy. We're family, after all."
Grandpa was already seated at the table, his expression carefully neutral as he watched the performance. But as they moved toward their seats, the doorbell rang.
"Oh, wonderful," Mom said brightly. "That must be the Johnsons. I invited them as a little surprise—they're such dear family friends."
Aiden felt his blood freeze. "You invited the Johnsons?"
"Of course! Veronica's parents are practically family. I thought it would be nice for everyone to meet Alina properly."
Before Aiden could object, Dr. Richard Johnson and his wife Margaret were being ushered into the dining room, all smiles and polite curiosity.
"Aiden!" Dr. Johnson clapped him on the shoulder. "So good to see you. And this must be your lovely wife."
The emphasis on 'wife' was subtle but unmistakable. Aiden felt Alina stiffen beside him.
"Alina, these are dear friends of the family," Mom said smoothly. "Richard and Margaret Johnson. Their daughter Veronica is a brilliant surgeon."
"How nice," Alina said quietly, shaking their hands.
As they settled around the dinner table, the conversation flowed with deadly politeness. The Johnsons were masters of the subtle insult, each comment designed to remind Alina of her place.
" "So, Alina, Amy tells us you're studying education?" Margaret's tone suggested this was equivalent to studying finger painting.
"Yes, I want to be a teacher."
"How... noble. Such a calling requires real sacrifice, doesn't it? The long hours, the modest salary." Margaret's smile was sharp. "Though I suppose that's less of a concern now."
"Actually, I find it quite fulfilling to shape young minds," Alina replied with a gentle smile. "There's something beautiful about helping someone discover their potential, don't you think? Though I suppose not everyone finds meaning in service to others."
"Veronica's always been career-focused too," Dr. Johnson added quickly. "Of course, surgery requires years of dedication. She's been so focused on her residency, hasn't had time for... personal distractions."
The meaning was clear: unlike some people who grab the first opportunity that comes along.
"How admirable that she's so committed to her studies," Alina said smoothly. "I imagine the discipline required must be extraordinary. It takes real strength to prioritize one's goals over... immediate gratification."
"Oh, she is. And so talented. Aiden's been such a wonderful friend to her throughout her training," Margaret continued. "Supporting her through all those difficult years when she couldn't commit to anything... permanent."
"What a loyal friend," Alina observed, her tone perfectly sincere. "It must be comforting to have someone so patient and understanding. Some people might find such... extended uncertainty challenging."
Amy's eyes sharpened slightly, recognizing the subtle push-back.
"She'll make someone very happy someday," Amy added with false innocence. "When the timing is right, of course."
"I'm sure she will," Alina agreed pleasantly. "After all, when someone finally decides they're ready to commit, they should probably choose someone who's actually available."
The comment landed with surgical precision. Dr. Johnson's smile faltered slightly.
"Yes," he said, his voice a bit tighter. "Some things are worth waiting for."
Alina excused herself to the bathroom, and Aiden followed her into the hallway.
"Alina, I'm sorry. I had no idea Mom had invited them."
She turned to face him, her expression carefully composed. "It's fine. I understand what this is."
"They're just—"
"They're reminding me that I'm temporary. That Veronica is permanent. That I shouldn't get comfortable." Her voice was steady, but he could see the hurt she was trying to hide. "Message received."
When they returned to the table, the conversation had shifted to business, but the damage was done. Alina sat through the rest of the dinner in perfect, polite silence while the Johnsons continued their subtle campaign to put her in her place.
As they drove home later, the silence in the car was deafening.
"I really didn't know they were coming," Aiden said finally.
"I know." Alina stared out the window. "Your mother made her point very clearly. To all of us."
"What point?"
Alina turned to look at him, and for a moment, he saw past the polite mask to the pain underneath.
"That this is exactly what you told her it was. Temporary. A business arrangement. Nothing more." Her voice was quiet but steady. "Don't worry, Aiden. I understand my place now."
As they pulled into the parking garage, Aiden realized that in trying to protect Alina from his mother's threats, he might have hurt her even worse than Amy ever could.