Her eyes widened.
“I already drank from that,” she protested. “That’s my second cup.”
Unbothered, he took another sip. Then another. Only then did he lower the cup.
“You have to come with me today,” he said. “My family is coming over to meet you.”
She frowned. “Didn’t we just meet your mother recently?”
“That was just my mom,” he replied evenly. “The rest of my family is coming today. Since we’re married, they want to meet you. Everyone will be at my mother’s house.”
Sophia pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup.
Even though their marriage was only supposed to last three months, it was becoming increasingly clear that Magnus had no intention of keeping it distant or simple. The line betweentemporaryandrealwas blurring faster than she had expected.
And whether she liked it or not, meeting his family was inevitable.
After breakfast, they both got ready. By afternoon, they were pulling up in front of Camila’s house.
As soon as they stepped out of the car, Magnus reached for her hand again, his fingers wrapping around hers, leading her inside without giving her a chance to refuse. Together, they walked into the house.
Sophia hadn’t expected what she saw next.
The living room was already full. Voices overlapped, laughter mixed with conversation, and the space felt crowded and alive. The moment they entered, heads turned almost in unison.
Eyes landed on her.
Her grip tightened instinctively around Magnus’s hand.
***
Lunch passed in a blur.
Sophia was introduced to Magnus’s brothers—Sebastian and Alexander—and their wives, Emily and Mia. Harold’s mother, Hannah, was there as well.
As they sat around the table, talking and eating, Sophia mostly listened, quietly observing the family dynamic.
Sebastian carried himself with the natural authority of an elder brother. Standing beside him and Alexander, Magnus looked different.
Both Sebastian and Alexander had rougher edges to their features—solid builds. Magnus, though far from boyish, carried a sharper, fresher look that clearly set him apart as the youngest.
All three brothers were handsome in their own way.
One had sharp, striking features that immediately drew attention, while the other wore a naturally charming smile that softened his expression. Magnus, meanwhile, sat quieter than usual, his gaze occasionally drifting back to her as if checking that she was still alright.
Emily and Mia were warm and cheerful.
Mia was noticeably younger, her bright, infatuating smile making her instantly likable. Emily, in contrast, appeared more composed and sophisticated—but when she spoke, her tone was genuine and welcoming, putting Sophia at ease without effort.
Hannah stood out the most.
With her blonde hair, green eyes, and refined bearing, she looked nothing like Harold. It was immediately obvious that Harold had taken after his father—because Hannah’s features were entirely different.
The entire family was surprisingly welcoming.
As the conversation flowed and laughter filled the table, Sophia realized she didn’t feel like a stranger at all. No one treated her like an outsider or an obligation. Without effort, she was folded into the family, included in stories and teasing as if she had always been there.
For the first time since arriving, her shoulders relaxed.
