13| Family Expectations

Sophie's heart pounded as she and Ethan arrived at the place he'd grown up—the famous Sinclair estate. It was grand, stately, and imposing, with tall windows and ornate architecture that resembled something out of a fairy tale.

But to Sophie, it felt less Cinderella and more haunted castle.

The Sinclair's were wealthy and powerful, their influence stretching far beyond the polished gates of their estate. Sophie couldn't help but be intrigued. She'd always wondered what kind of house Ethan had grown up in. It was impressive, yes—but beneath the beauty, the coldness was undeniable.

One of the many social obligations that came with being married to Ethan was having dinner with the Sinclair's. Meeting Robert and Evelyn Sinclair in a more intimate, one-on-one setting was something Sophie definitely wasn't looking forward to.

Which scared her. Talking to new people had always been easy for her. But maybe it was the fact that they were Ethan's parents that made it so daunting.

She had to pinch herself. She was stepping into their world—a world where wealth, power, and appearances dictated everything.

As they approached the front steps, Sophie straightened her posture. Ethan turned to her, his sharp blue eyes softening just slightly. "Are you okay?"

Sophie swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. "I'm nervous," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Where was her usual bravado? Apparently, it had taken off the moment Ethan looked at her like that.

Ethan offered a faint, reassuring smile. "It'll be fine."

Of course it'll be fine—for you. They're your parents.

As they walked up the grand steps, a butler opened the door and led them inside. The interior was even more breathtaking—high ceilings, intricate chandeliers, and marble floors polished to perfection.

After seeing Ethan's house, Sophie thought she'd gotten used to this kind of wealth, but this was on a whole different level. Experiencing it in person felt surreal.

She resisted the urge to pull out her phone and snap a few pictures to show Mia and Lily later. Maybe next time, when she wasn't on the verge of a full-blown nervous breakdown.

The butler escorted them into the dining room, where Robert and Evelyn Sinclair were already seated. The dining table was long, elegantly set with fine china and crystal glassware. Was the president joining them?

Sophie suddenly wondered if she remembered her table manners correctly.

Do you hold the knife with your index finger or your middle finger? Crap.

They exchanged polite greetings. Sophie tried her best to avoid Robert's gaze—the last thing she wanted was to make eye contact with him. For some reason, he terrified her.

Evelyn, on the other hand, was poised and elegant in a tailored dress. In Sophie's head, she was the poster woman for everything refined—like the Queen of England. Evelyn always offered polite smiles whenever they met, but they never quite seemed to reach her eyes.

Ethan, ever the gentleman, pulled out Sophie's chair before taking his own seat beside her. She muttered a quick "thank you," trying not to focus on how stiff the atmosphere felt. This wasn't dinner—this was a business meeting disguised as a family gathering.

If Sophie were with Mia and Lily, she'd tell them that yes, these situations actually happened. Those dramas about rich people weren't completely off the mark.

The thought nearly made her laugh, but Robert's commanding voice cut through her musings.

"Sophie," he said, his tone sharp yet deceptively polite, "how have you been adjusting to married life?"

Sophie swallowed, feeling the weight of his gaze. "I'm adjusting well, thank you. The flower shop keeps me busy."

Robert's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone sharp. "Why are you still working?" The words landed like a slap. "Your focus should be on Ethan and the responsibilities of this family."

Sophie opened her mouth to respond, but Ethan spoke first, his voice calm yet firm. "Sophie enjoys her work. It's important to her."

Robert's expression hardened, his displeasure evident. "Women these days," he muttered, leaning forward slightly. "Work all you want, but don't forget your real responsibility. Heirs are what matter most. If you can't even do that, what use are you?"

Sophie's breath caught at the bluntness of his words. Her cheeks burned with a mix of anger and embarrassment. So his face wasn't the only scary thing—his mouth was, too.

"We've only just gotten married, Father," Ethan replied smoothly, though there was a tightness to his jaw. "These are decisions Sophie and I will make together, in time."

"In time," Robert repeated, his tone dripping with disapproval. "Just don't waste too much of it. We all know who's on a biological clock."

He was rude. Completely rude. Sophie's grip tightened around her fork, her appetite gone. She'd known Robert was old-fashioned and strict, but this? This was something else entirely.

It seemed they were all used to it because Evelyn simply sipped her wine quietly, offering no comment on the exchange.

The rest of dinner dragged on, filled with stilted conversations about business. Robert grilled Ethan about company expansions, profits, and upcoming projects.

Meanwhile, Sophie tried to figure out what was being served. She didn't mind trying new foods, but even she wasn't adventurous enough for this.

Giving up on food as her escape, she tried to engage Evelyn in small talk. Small talk she could do—but her mother-in-law's responses were curt and disinterested.

By the time the meal ended, Sophie felt like she'd been through a battlefield.

They moved to the drawing room for tea, but the atmosphere remained cold. Sophie sat stiffly on the sofa next to Ethan, trying to look engaged as the men continued their business discussions. She glanced at the ornate clock on the mantel, counting down the minutes until they could leave.

Finally, Evelyn broke the silence, her tone as polished as ever. "The wedding photos were lovely."

"Thank you," Sophie replied, seizing the opportunity to connect. "The whole ceremony was beautiful. You had a really amazing vision."

And it was true. Evelyn had to be some sort of wizard because the wedding had been perfect—down to the last detail. Sophie wasn't sure she could have done better herself.

But Evelyn merely nodded, her expression unreadable, and the conversation died as quickly as it had begun.

Sophie sat quietly for the rest of the night—something that was so unlike her. Quiet wasn't her thing.

She could finally believe what Ethan had meant when he said his family was different from what she knew. But experiencing it firsthand was a whole different story. It wasn't just different—it was claustrophobic.

When they finally left the estate, Sophie breathed a sigh of relief as the cool night air hit her. She glanced at Ethan, her frustration threatening to bubble over.

"You did well tonight," Ethan said, his tone gentler than she expected.

Sophie forced a smile, though she was still fuming internally. "Thank you. Your parents are... intense."

Ethan gave a short laugh. "That's an understatement." He hesitated before adding, "I'm sorry about my father. He can be... direct."

"Direct?" Sophie echoed, raising an eyebrow. "That's a very kind way of putting it."

Ethan's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "It's the truth. He's always been like that. He means well, even if it doesn't come across that way."

Sophie frowned, unsure how anyone could interpret Robert's comments as meaning well, but she bit her tongue. Pick your battles, Sophie.

Instead, she straightened her shoulders. Find the bright side, she reminded herself. She had to. "Well, I'll be ready for the next dinner," she said with feigned confidence, even though she didn't quite believe it herself.

Ethan's brow lifted. "You sound sure of yourself."

"I am," Sophie replied, her voice firm. "Next time, I'll charm them stupid. They won't know what hit them."

Ethan chuckled—a rare, lighthearted sound that caught her by surprise. "I don't want to burst your bubble, but that's a tall order."

"You'll see," Sophie replied, her voice filled with mock confidence. But deep down, uncertainty gnawed at her.

Tonight had been tough, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly ready for this life. She already hated how stifling it felt.

As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly, and she winced in embarrassment.

Ethan glanced over, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement. "We can stop for pizza."

Sophie blushed, but the idea immediately warmed her. "That... would be nice. Thank you."

First, she'd have food. And then she wouldn't let a day like this deter her.

Mama didn't raise a quitter.

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