The Marriage Clause

ike a malfunctioning robot, her responses pre-programmed and stilted. Lucas, on the other hand, navigate

Emma sank into a plush chair, exhaustion washing over her. Lu

, was it?" he said,

laugh. "Not bad fo

ghed, running a hand through his hair. "Don

sleek blonde hair and a bored expression entered. "Mr.

ed. "Excellent. Please

ve of apprehension washed over her. Meeting Lucas's family, a group of "eccentrics

n with a neatly trimmed beard and a tweed suit that looked like it belonged in a costume drama, presumably his father. A pair of teenagers followed, a sullen-looking boy with headphones practically a

voice carrying a hint of regal authority. "There

n plastered on her face. "You must be the fake wife! I'm Lily, and that's Ethan

ant smile. "It's nic

from under the man's arm and scampered towards

ite. Unless you try to s

eryone's attention. "Mother, Father,

eck. Fiancée? The lie felt even

an raised an eyebrow.

as replied smoothly, his g

ng, you can't just spring a fianc

as countered, a hint of tension in his voic

father, chuckled. "Business reasons, eh? Sounds like you'

led with unspoken tension, a glimpse into a family

a's sleeve. "So, are you going to wear a big white

certainly not how she'd envisione

tension, intervened. "Alright, everyone, let's give the young cou

th Lucas. He offered a wry smile. "Welcome

I expected," Emma admitted. "Y

breath, sinking into the chair opposite Emma. "My f

ftly. "That's an

more serious. "I apologize for springing

ed him. "I guess this is par

ly. And I appreciate

?" Emma asked, g

y bombard us with questions over dinner. But don't

ied, a hint of nerv

ing her an encouraging smile. "And for

ad expected this arrangement to be purely busin

hallways of the Blackwood estate, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that her life had taken an unexpe

best to navigate the family dynamics, finding herself surprisingly drawn to th

ent, engrossed in his phone, occasionally offering a sardonic comment that made everyone laugh. Lucas's father, Henry, shared stories of Lucas's childhood, mu

d to their relationship. "How did you two mee

er of amusement in his eyes. "

hievous glint in his eye. "That's t

tually, we met through work. Lucas's co

h, so you're a fam

"Not exactly famous, b

r gaze piercing. "And what

s, who met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "He's...

g into the Blackwood family?" Elea

carefully. "It's certainly a unique experi

sed an eyebrow. "Intere

ing modest. She's adjusting to a very differe

ing wore on, Emma found herself relaxing in the presence of Lucas's family. They were far from the

ouldn't help but feel a sense of relief mingled with exhaus

ushing against hers. "I war

replied diplomatically. "I th

at their door. He turned to face her, his eyes searching

ons she couldn't quite define. "It's...

hat softened his features. "Let's ge

ed in ways she never could have anticipated. The marriage clause had brought her into Luca