Meet my family

Aria's POV

Marry him?

Marry him after he took me hostage in place of my sister, all because of a mistaken identity.

I swallow hard, staring at him. Not like I have a choice. I either marry him or go to prison.

“I… I will marry you,” I stammer, forcing the words out.

“Good. You don’t have a choice anyway.”

He leans back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, his eyes studying me.

“I’ll send in some clothes. Get changed. I’ll be introducing you to my father soon.” His voice is cold, threatening, and bold. All I did was nodded at every word.

“We need to come up with a solid approach. I don’t want you messing things up and causing more trouble… Hey, look up.”

I raise my head, trying to hold back the tears burning at the corners of my eyes. My life has never been easy, and now this. I don’t even remember how I got into that accident.

“You better not try anything funny in front of my father. You know what will happen if you do.”

His threats seep into my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

“Dress properly, and wipe that look off your face. You better be convincing.”

With a final hard glare, he turns and strides out.

A few minutes later…

Two women walk in, carrying clothes. They guide me to the bathtub and wash me clean. Complaining is pointless. The order came from Damon.

After bathing me, they dress me in a simple yet elegant fitted gown. I try to smile at my reflection, but my lips won’t curve.

Once they finish, my phone rings. It’s Damon.

“Be ready before I get home.”

Just as he said, thirty minutes later, he arrives.

“Remember, don’t speak unless I tell you to. And if there’s a question you can’t answer, just smile. I’ll handle it.”

His warning is firm as we step into his car and drive off to his parents’ place.

At the Family Dinner......

“You’re late,” a deep voice booms the moment we step inside.

Damon ignores it and pulls out a chair for me.

“Damon, your father just spoke to you,” the woman sitting beside the man. His mother, I presume, whispers.

“I had urgent matters to handle. I apologize.”

His apology looked nothing but insincere. I guess that's how their family works because no one cared to pay attention to the other. They all focused their gaze on me.

“Father, I’d like you to meet the woman I intend to marry.”

I catch the stunned expressions of his two brothers. His father, however, merely observes me, his gaze unreadable.

“Aria, meet my father.”

I bow slightly.

“This is my mother,” Damon continues. She gives me a warm smile, and I return it.

“And these are my brothers, Joshua and James.”

One of them looks amused, while the other barely acknowledges me, focused on his food.

“So, your name is Aria?” His father wipes his mouth with a handkerchief, his gaze settling on me. “That’s a nice name.”

Wow, I never expected to earn a compliment so quick, perhaps I must've misjudged them.

“Tell us, how did you two meet?”

Damon already prepared me for this. I glance at him, but he’s focused on cutting his steak.

I smile at his father. “We met at a business event.”

I place my palm on Damon’s hand, gazing at him sweetly. This wasn’t part of the plan, but I have to be convincing.

“Damon was shy at first. He couldn’t even maintain eye contact with me.” I chuckled lightly.

Joshua scoffs loudly. “Damon? Shy? Doesn’t seem like the type to ask a woman out. Did he force you into this?”

I can feel the tension radiating from Damon. I sense they aren’t on good terms.

I brighten my smile, holding Damon’s hand tighter. “We went on several dates. Believe me, you have no idea how skilled he is at charming a woman.”

Joshua watches me in silence.

“I admire your confidence, Aria,” his father says with a nod.

“Damon, you’ve got yourself a beautiful wife. Even better than I expected,” his mother chimes in. “We’re happy for you, aren’t we, dear?”

His father hums in response.

“So, tell us, what do you like most about Damon?” his mother asks.

I glance at Damon for help. Truthfully, there isn’t a single thing I like about him. His presence irks me, and I already hate him.

I fake a genuine smile. “Damon is caring. He acts tough, but deep down, I know he’s kind.”

As if on cue, Damon smoothly pulls his hand away from mine. I tuck mine under the table. Thankfully, no one had seen that. Even my touch irritates him now.

“Tell us about yourself,” his father says. “You mentioned meeting at a business event. Does that mean you’re in business too?”

I freeze. We didn’t rehearse this part. Damon left after his threats.

I glance at him, silently pleading for help, but he doesn’t even spare me a glance.

Is he trying to punish me?

Everyone’s eyes are on me, waiting for my response.

“My father owns a company…”

I pause, gathering my thoughts, but my heart pounds as I realize I have no idea how to continue. Damon’s silence is intentional, he wants to see me struggle.

“What kind of company?” Mr. Gabriel asks.

I force a composed smile, straightening my posture. “A small but thriving import and export business,” I say smoothly. “We primarily deal in luxury goods, jewelry, high-end fabrics, and art collections.”

Damon finally glances at me, his expression unreadable. One can hardly tell what he's thinking.

“Hmm. Interesting, I'm starting to grow a liking in you,” Mr. Gabriel muses, stroking his chin. “And where is your family now?”

That question makes my stomach drop. My family?