As she slid into the passenger seat, her hands were still shaking a little as she buckled her seatbelt.
“Klein, why’d you have to post that online?” Whitney looked a little torn.
Klein raised his eyebrows and said, “You saw it?”
“Yeah,” she mumbled.
“First time getting married, and it’s gonna be the last. Figured I’d show it off,” Klein said.
“You’re not posting it?” Klein asked.
Klein’s deep eyes locked onto her, unwavering.
Whitney’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly shook her head and said, “I’m not into posting stuff online.”
“Okay then,” Klein said, sounding a little disappointed.
He put his phone on silent and said, “Let’s go home.”
*****
The Harris Manor was in an uproar.
George blurted out, “Dad, did you see Klein’s post?”
“Dad, how did he just announce he had a girlfriend and now he’s married?” Sabrina asked, sounding worried. “Dad, do you think Klein got tricked into this marriage?”
James was both pissed and overjoyed.
He was pissed that Klein didn’t even bother to tell the family about something this huge. They found out at the same time as everyone else.
But at the same time, he was overjoyed. The family’s most stubborn bachelor had finally gotten hitched! James was so relieved that he almost wanted to cry.
“Lena, why are you zoning out? Uncle Klein spoils you the most. Did you know he was getting married? Have you even met his wife yet?” Sabrina asked.
Lena shook her head quickly and said, “I… I didn’t know.”
Sabrina shot her a suspicious look and said, “You really didn’t know?”
“Aunt Sabrina, I swear I didn’t know!” Lena blurted out.
The more guilty Lena felt, the louder she got.
‘What else am I supposed to say? That my bestie, who was my soon-to-be sister-in-law, is now my aunt?’ Lena thought, totally freaking out.
“
When Carter and Emily got back from their wedding photoshoot, they found the house unusually lively.
Carter saw his mother, Sabrina, holding Lena’s hand, asking her something he couldn’t quite catch.
“Hey Mom, Lena, you’re both home,” Carter greeted them.
Lena’s phone had just gotten wrecked, so she wasn’t in the best mood. She shot the two of them a quick glance. When she saw Emily holding Carter’s hand, she gave a subtle pout.
She suddenly found herself dying to know what kind of face Carter would make if he ever found out that Whit got married and her husband was none other than Uncle Klein.
Just thinking about it instantly lifted her mood, and she almost forgot about her broken phone.
Lena blinked expectantly and asked, “Hey Carter, nothing much. Did you know Uncle Klein got married?”
Carter frowned and said, “Married? Who did Uncle Klein marry? Was it that girlfriend he used to post about on his socials?”
Lena smirked and said, “No clue. But I bet his wife is drop-dead gorgeous, sweet as honey, and super kind. Otherwise, how could she have Uncle Klein totally wrapped around her finger, right?”
Carter was puzzled. ‘Since when did Lena and Uncle Klein get so close?’ he wondered.
Uncle Klein had always kept a polite distance from the younger generation, never really getting too close or too distant.
He was just so cold. One glance from those cold eyes was enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine.
Emily, never one to miss a chance to tease, grinned and said, “Oh, Lena, you really seem to like Uncle Klein’s wife. So, have you actually met her?”
All eyes were instantly turned to Lena.
Sabrina leaned in, curious, “Lena, you really met her? Why didn’t you tell us? So, whose daughter is she? She must be some rich girl, right?”
Emily added softly, “If Uncle Klein’s interested in her, she must be pretty extraordinary.”
Lena’s eyes glinted. ‘No way I’m letting Whit get dragged down. Time to clap back for my bestie!’ she thought.
“Aunt Sabrina, I haven’t actually met Uncle Klein’s wife. But come on, he’s way too picky for all that. Every rich girl in Ravorport is desperate to marry him, but he doesn’t even blink at them, What matters to him is what’s on the inside,” Lena said, giving Emily a sly sideways glance. “And let’s be real, not every girl has the real deal.”
Emily’s face changed instantly.
‘Lena is totally throwing shade at me with that look!’ Emily thought.
But the rest of the family didn’t seem to catch on. James paused and said, “Lena’s right. Klein has always been the type who doesn’t tolerate even the tiniest flaw. He only wants the absolute best. So whoever he chooses, you know she’s gotta be top- tier.”
“Exactly, Grandpa! I totally agree with you! You’re so wisel” Lena chimed in.
Emily bit her lips. ‘Best? Is Grandpa implying I’m not good enough?’ she wondered.
Her grip on Carter’s arm suddenly tightened, and she didn’t even notice how tense she’d gotten.
Carter glanced down at her and asked, “What’s wrong, Emily?”
Emily forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing, just a bit of a stomachache.”
Carter nodded absentmindedly and said, “Maybe your period’s coming soon.”
Emily felt a pang in her chest.
Her period had just ended, and Carter had always remembered every little thing about her.
Her nose tingled as she fought backtears.
‘Why does it feel like Carter’s getting more distant, even though we’re about to get married?’ Emily wondered.
Sabrina was done listening to James singing Klein’s praises, so she quickly shifted the topic back to Carter and Emily.
“Carter, when are you and Emily going to make it official?” Sabrina asked.
Carter was caught off guard by his mom’s sudden question. “We’ll do it in a few days.” he answered.
Sabrina frowned, clearly annoyed. “No, do it tomorrow! You’ve already taken your wedding photos. Why are you dragging your feet about the license?” she said.
Since there was no changing the fact that Emily had gone from being like a daughter to a daughter-in-law, Sabrina figured they might as well just get it done sooner rather than later.
James’s smile faded a bit. “Yeah, go ahead and get it done. Klein’s already taken care of his. You two should hurry up.” he said.
Emily’s eyes sparkled with hope as she looked at Carter. The thing that really bothered her was how Carter had kept dragging his feet about making it official.
Carter pursed his lips and said, “Alright. I’ve got something at work tomorrow, so we’ll go the day after.”
Emily, who had just been acting all weak and helpless, instantly perked up, and her cheeks flushed. “Really, Carter?” she said.
Looking at the girl he’d always spoiled growing up, seeing those bright eyes overflowing with love for him, Carter could only swallow the bitterness.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.