Chapter 85

ALISHA POV

As we entered the dining room, she finally turned her head and froze. Her eyes landed on me, and her expression changed instantly.

“And who is this?” she asked, her tone sharp and her eyes narrowing.

“This is Alisha,” Richard said, his voice calm. “She’s… staying with me for a while.”

I forced a smile, trying to hide how nervous I felt. “Good afternoon, ma’am,” I said politely.

Her response was a quick, dismissive nod. She didn’t say anything else, just turned back to Richard as if I didn’t exist.

My heart sank. It was clear she didn’t like me, and she wasn’t even trying to hide it. For some reason, that stung more than I expected. I’d just met her, but her coldness felt personal.

We sat down at the dining table, which was covered with dishes that looked straight out of a gourmet restaurant. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, freshly baked bread…it all smelled delicious, but I suddenly didn’t have much of an appetite.

Richard sat at his mother’s right, and I took the seat across from him. I could feel her eyes on me every now and then, like she was trying to figure me out…or maybe just figure out why I was here.

“So, how was work today?” she asked Richard, her tone warm and cheerful.

“Busy, as usual,” he replied, picking up his fork.

“And your meetings? Everything went well, I assume?”

“Yes, everything went smoothly,” he said, his voice steady.

They talked easily, their conversation flowing naturally, but I felt like a shadow at the table. I focused on my plate, trying to eat without drawing too much attention to myself.

As I listened to them, I couldn’t help but wonder why she disliked me so much. Was it because I wasn’t from her world? Because I didn’t fit the image of someone who should be sitting at her dining table?

I thought back to how she had ignored my greeting, the way her smile had disappeared the moment she saw me. For the first time in my life, I felt completely out of place.

“Mom,” Richard said, breaking the silence. “You mentioned a surprise earlier. What’s that about?”

She paused, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Let’s finish lunch first,” she said, her tone calm but firm.

Richard raised an eyebrow. “You’re keeping me in suspense?”

“It’s worth the wait,” she replied, giving him a small smile.

I glanced between the two of them, trying to read their expressions. Whatever this surprise was, it seemed important.

As they continued talking, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. I knew I didn’t belong here, and Mrs. Garrison’s demeanor only confirmed it. But I also knew I couldn’t leave…not yet, anyway.

For now, I would have to endure the cold glances and the awkward silences. Whatever happened next, I just hoped it wouldn’t make things worse.

After lunch, the three of us stood up from the dining table. I trailed behind Richard and his mother as they headed back to the living room.

My stomach churned…not from the food, which was delicious, but from the tension that seemed to hang in the air.

Mrs. Garrison’s cold attitude toward me was undeniable, and it only made me feel smaller in the grand space of their home.

As soon as we stepped into the living room, Mrs. Garrison clapped her hands twice. Almost instantly, a line of servants appeared, all dressed in matching uniforms.

They carried various items, each carefully balanced on velvet-covered trays, male and female shoes, an intricate male wedding outfit, an extravagant female wedding gown, and glittering necklaces and bracelets that looked like they belonged in a museum.

My eyes widened as I took it all in. The wedding dress alone was breathtaking, with layers of delicate lace, shimmering crystals, and a train that seemed endless.

The shoes sparkled as if encrusted with diamonds, and the jewelry gleamed under the chandelier’s light. It was overwhelming, like something out of a fairytale.

“Tada!” Mrs. Garrison exclaimed, turning to Richard with a proud smile.

Richard looked at her with a mix of confusion and reluctance. “Mom, what is this?”

“These,” she said, gesturing toward the servants and their trays, “are the items for your wedding! Everything you and Tammie will need is right here. I’ve taken care of it all.”

I froze, my gaze darting between Richard and his mother. Wedding? The word echoed in my mind, loud and sharp. My heart raced as I watched Richard’s reaction.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Mom, how can you just decide on a wedding dress for Tammie? Shouldn’t she have a say in this?”

Mrs. Garrison waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. Every bride dreams of a dress like this. And besides, I’ve always wanted to pick out the perfect wedding gown for my future daughter-in-law. It’s tradition.”

Richard rolled his eyes, his frustration evident. “Tradition? Since when? And what if Tammie doesn’t like it?”

“She’ll love it,” Mrs. Garrison said confidently. “It’s exquisite. Look at the detail, the craftsmanship. No one would turn this down.”

I stood there silently, pretending to admire the items as my mind raced. So, it was true…Richard was getting married to Tammie. My chest tightened at the thought.

Not because I cared about the marriage itself, but because it meant my time to act was running out.

Richard crossed his arms. “And the date? Have you decided that too?”

Mrs. Garrison smiled slyly. “Of course. It’s all set. The invitations will go out soon.”

My ears perked up. This was crucial information. If I could find out the date, I’d know exactly how much time I had to complete Nadia’s plan…or, better yet, to execute my own.

“When is it?” Richard asked, his tone edged with annoyance.

Mrs. Garrison opened her mouth to reply, but her phone rang, cutting her off.

“Excuse me,” she said, reaching into her pocket. She answered the call, turning away from us as she spoke.