Chapter 4 - A WIFE THE FAMILY NEVER EXPECTED
The Vale family dinner was supposed to be Lena's public introduction.
It became an ambush.
Twenty relatives sat around a long table beneath golden chandeliers.
Lena wore a simple black dress.
Julian sat beside her.
His hand rested near hers.
Not touching.
But close.
Then his aunt spoke.
“So, Lena. What exactly do you do?”
“I work in building services.”
Someone laughed.
“A cleaner?”
Lena nodded.
“Yes.”
The room became uncomfortable.
Julian's mother looked horrified.
“My son married a cleaner?”
Julian placed his glass down.
“My wife has a name.”
His mother's eyes hardened.
“Julian, this is ridiculous.”
“No.”
He looked around the table.
“This is my marriage.”
His mother leaned toward Lena.
“How much did he offer you?”
Lena didn't answer.
Julian did.
“Enough to make you jealous.”
The table went silent.
Lena almost smiled.
Dinner continued.
Then dessert arrived.
A waiter placed a glass of champagne in front of Lena.
She didn't touch it.
Julian noticed.
“You don't drink?”
“Not really.”
“Why?”
“Personal.”
Before he could respond, Lena suddenly stood.
“I need the restroom.”
She disappeared down the hallway.
Julian followed.
He found her gripping the sink.
“What happened?”
“I feel sick.”
He looked concerned.
“Do you need a doctor?”
“No.”
“Lena.”
She looked at him.
“I think I'm pregnant.”
Julian froze.
Neither spoke.
Finally he asked:
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
Her eyes filled.
“I took a test yesterday.”
He stared at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't know if it was real.”
Julian looked stunned.
Then something unexpected happened.
He smiled.
A genuine smile.
“That's not a problem.”
Lena stared at him.
“What?”
“It's not a problem.”
“You're not angry?”
“No.”
“You don't think it complicates everything?”
“It changes everything.”
He stepped closer.
“That's different.”
Lena's eyes widened.
Julian touched her hand.
“We'll handle it.”
Then a crash came from the dining room.
They ran back.
The champagne glass had shattered.
Adrian stood beside the table.
“Interesting timing,” he said.
Lena frowned.
“What?”
He smiled.
“Nothing.”
Later that night, Lena found a message on her phone.
Unknown number.
You should ask Julian who really killed his father.
Her blood ran cold.
She showed Julian.
His expression changed instantly.
“Where did you get this?”
“I don't know.”
“Don't answer anything from this number.”
“Who sent it?”
Julian looked at her.
“Someone who wants you afraid.”
“But is it true?”
His silence frightened her more than an answer would have.
“Julian?”
He walked away.
Lena followed.
“Is it true?”
Finally he stopped.
“My father was murdered.”
“And?”
“I don't know who did it.”
The phone buzzed again.
Another message.
He knows.
Then a photograph appeared.
Julian's father.
Dead.
And beside him stood Adrian.
Lena looked at Julian.
“What am I supposed to think?”
Julian's face became pale.
“I think someone is trying to make you believe I killed my father.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then prove it.”
He looked at her.
“I will.”
But neither realized the photograph had been altered.
May you like
And whoever created it had access to Julian's private archives.
Someone inside the family was feeding the war.
