Chapter 6 The Whole City Is Hoping Cole Becomes A Widower

Elliana hesitantly took the phone and pressed play on the video.

The screen lit up with a recording of Elliana rising from the couch in the dead of night, moving like a sleepwalker before crawling into the large bed.

In the footage, Cole had rubbed his eyes, his voice heavy with sleep. "Is everything alright?"

"Shhh!" Elliana had whispered, pressing a finger to her lips like she was keeping a secret. And then it all went downhill. She yanked off Cole's pajama shirt, hugged his waist like a stuffed animal, pressed her palm to his chest, and curled up against him with a sweet, sleepy sigh. "Sleep tight, darling."

Elliana's face turned red with embarrassment as the video ended. Yesterday at the wedding banquet, she had given in and taken a tiny glass of wine, mostly to shut up one of the younger cousins who wouldn't stop pestering her.

Elliana was well aware she couldn't handle alcohol. Even worse, drinking usually came with the side effect of sleepwalking. She had thought one little drink seemed harmless at the time, but apparently, the effects had kicked in during the night. Trying to explain that "darling" was once the name of her childhood cat wouldn't help. He'd just laugh even harder. No way he'd buy the excuse that she thought she was cuddling a tabby in her sleep.

Elliana shot Cole a sharp look, choosing not to waste her breath trying to explain. "Let's say I was sleepwalking. Couldn't you have at least pushed me aside?"

Cole laughed under his breath, eyes twinkling with mischief as he nudged the phone back toward her. "You're not done yet. Play the next one."

A knot formed in her stomach. Still, she tapped on the next clip with dread.

In this video, Elliana had been practically glued to Cole, limbs draped around him like some lovesick octopus. From the bed, his voice came through the speaker, low and amused. "Honey, don't you think this is a little excessive?"

And then came the kicker-she had smacked his rear and said, "One more word and I'll spank you even harder!"

As the screen faded to black, Elliana sat motionless, cheeks blazing. All she wanted was to vanish.

Laughter spilled from Cole as he leaned over her. "You're adorably fierce. Throwing threats like that... How was I supposed to resist?"

Enough was enough. With a huff, Elliana tore off the covers and sprinted out of the bedroom like the place was on fire.

Cole was doubled over with laughter, his shoulders bouncing with every breathless chuckle. After diving under the covers and faking sleep last night, he had waited for the inevitable scolding. She had woken up, just as he feared. But instead, she'd given him a night full of surprises.

In a blur of panic, Elliana darted into the bathroom. She slammed the door, threw the lock, and tugged at her hair like she could wring the embarrassment out. She muttered a string of curses under her breath. If anything, this was a brutal reminder-alcohol was never her friend.

She had just started pulling herself together when a knock rattled the door. Cole's voice drifted in, light and teasing. "Honey, time's ticking. The elders are waiting to meet us. Better get moving."

The wealthy Evans family had upheld its numerous traditions for generations. One of the most important came the morning after the wedding, when the newweds were expected to greet the elders properly-a small but serious tradition that meant respect had been given and approval was earned.

Elliana didn't need the reminder. She yanked the door open, determined not to react to the humor dancing in Cole's eyes. Her cheeks burned as she asked, "What do I wear?"

"I've got you covered." He handed over a bag.

Elliana snatched it, shut the door, and got to work. Shower. Outfit change. A fresh layer of makeup to seal the deal.

But her thoughts drifted, uninvited, back to the night before. Cole had made a move to her. Maybe her makeup hadn't been terrible enough. So today, she dialed it down even harder, dragging the brush like she meant it.

Once she was finally dressed, she cracked the door open. Spotting Cole just waiting by the door, she asked, "Where's my wig?"

Cole gave her face one look and nearly lost his composure. A twitch of the lip, barely suppressed. Without a word, he handed the wig to her.

There was no use pretending anymore. Elliana slammed the tousled wig onto her head right in front of him.

That made Cole's eye twitch. "Try not to give my grandpa a heart attack. Maybe ease up on the haunted doll look."

Before Elliana could throw a word back, Cole grabbed her hand and led her straight out the door.

The hall downstairs stood prim and polished, every detail already in place.

At the head of the long room, Ruben occupied the central seat, while Jarrett Evans-Cole's father-sat stiffly at his right. The rest of the clan had taken their places, completing the somber formation.

Laughter and murmured conversation had filled the hall, but the moment Cole and Elliana stepped in-hands clasped together like they had something to prove-the entire room stiffened.

Thanks to the eavesdropper from last night, Ruben already knew their room hadn't exactly been quiet last night. Most in the family didn't buy into the idea that Cole would lay a finger on a woman they thought was beneath him. Whispers leaned more toward violence than intimacy. They were expecting to see Elliana limping in, bruised and humiliated. Instead, they got a picture of a peaceful couple. Cole was calm, casual, and utterly at ease.

A silent wave passed through the room as glances darted from one relative to another. Had the couple actually had sex? The tension deepened. No one had seen this coming-the pride of the Evans family, apparently into women who didn't match their glossy standards.

Either oblivious or uncaring, Cole moved forward without hesitation, gently guiding Elliana by the hand as they began greeting the elders.

Ruben's family tree split into four distinct limbs, with three sons and one daughter, all of whom had built families of their own.

Jarrett, the firstborn and former leader, had stepped back from leadership when his health began to decline.

Bertram Evans came next, then Emmanuel Evans, and finally their sister, Eva Evans.

Tradition demanded that the newlywed start the greeting trip with the patriarch. Ruben received the first greetings, Jarrett the second. Neither looked thrilled to be served by Elliana, but neither made a scene. They nodded politely and went through the motions.

Once the formalities were done, the whole family moved to the breakfast table.

Every seat around the oversized table was filled. As Elliana glanced from face to face, the stares felt sharp-some merely curious, others full of judgment or thinly veiled ridicule. Not a drop of warmth in sight. Not that it fazed her. She sat straight, untouched by their stares.

Just then, Bertram's wife, Irene Evans, lifted her chin with a proud tilt and said in a smug, cutting voice, "Elliana, do you realize the entire city is practically counting down the days until Cole ends up a widower?"