Marriage Perks
I have to admit, the only positive outcome of my marriage to Cullen was his family.
Yes, I know they’re a mob family. There are horror stories whispered about them, rumours, warnings, and shadows that follow their name. But they actually treated me... really nicely. Cedric Cincinnati, Cullen’s father, didn’t talk much, but at least he acknowledged my existence. And my mother-in-law? She was an absolute delight. The kind of mother-in-law I’d want to be someday. Warm, thoughtful, genuine.
Then there was Bella. My feelings about her were still tangled. She seemed like a friend...genuine, even caring and she was trying, in her own way, to make me feel welcome. But still... there was that lingering bitterness. She had taken what was supposed to be mine. I could smile and talk with her, but the wound wasn’t fully healed.
And Cyrus... my feelings for him were even more complicated than those for Bella. He was my brother-in-law, yes. But I hated that he was. I really wished he wasn’t. I wished, desperately, that he was my husband instead. He was kind, respectful, and just like Cedric, he never overstepped. But he saw me. He acknowledged me. And that meant more than I could say. It made me feel like I wasn’t some intruder forced into this family, I was part of it.
That was the thing. Those were the perks of being married, things that had nothing to do with Cullen himself. And because of that, I didn’t even feel so resentful toward him anymore.
Maybe it was crazy to say, but from the family, I came from to this one... I couldn’t help but wonder: were they just acting this way because they had to? Maybe. But still, they treated me better than my own family ever did. They saw me. They tried. They gave me warmth I hadn’t even known I was missing.
So I was loving this family. And maybe, just maybe, my marriage wasn’t such a curse after all. Maybe it was never really about the man I married.
Maybe it was about his family. And if that’s all I get out of this then I’ll take it. I take it.
As I was getting ready for my first Sunday family dinner, I thought it would be just like all the others. Routine. Predictable. Every day, I made a habit of dressing up for dinner, something that was normal both in my family growing up and here in the Cincinnati household. You dressed well, you looked presentable, and you showed up. So I did just that.
But just as I stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around me, I nearly screamed. The bedroom door opened, and there he was... Cullen.
It took me a second to process it. I had genuinely forgotten what he looked like in person. He paused in the doorway, giving me a curious, almost confused look as though he hadn’t expected me either. I clutched the towel tighter against myself, frozen, caught in this strange moment with my husband, the man I hadn’t seen for weeks.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out, heart pounding. “I just wasn’t expecting you. I wasn’t expecting a man to walk in.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed.
“This is kind of my bedroom too.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said quickly, “but I’ve been in this bedroom on my own, by myself… it’s like you’re never here. So seeing you now..... it just caught me by surprise.”
He didn’t say anything after that. Just walked past me, straight into the bathroom.
I let out a long breath and went into the walk-in closet. I dressed, fixed my hair, and applied my makeup, trying to shake the unease clinging to me after that encounter. Cullen had gotten ready quickly and was already gone by the time I finished. He didn’t say a word to me. No “hello.” No “how have you been.” Nothing.
Not even the bare minimum of human decency, even if he were just my neighbour next door, I’d expect at least some kind of greeting. And we’re married. We share a bed. Even if he hates me, even if he doesn't want to hurt me like he said before, couldn’t he at least pretend I existed?
I shook my head, brushing the thought away. I wouldn’t let him ruin my mood. Not tonight.
So I straightened my shoulders, took one last glance in the mirror, and walked down the stairs.
I found everyone gathered in the family room. Bella was there, as usual, since Cesar was currently playing on the mat in front of her. She sat there, and Cullen was there too.
What caught my attention wasn't just their presence, it was the way they interacted with Cesar. The way they moved around him, the way Cullen looked at her with such quiet admiration and love. It was impossible to miss.
She had to know what his feelings were. Anyone with eyes could see it. Watching the three of them together felt like watching a family, a real one. A mother, a father, and their baby. My breath caught in my throat.
For a moment, I was still. Taking it all in, Observing.
Then my mother-in-law’s voice gently pulled me back into the moment.
She stood beside her husband in one corner of the room, both of them watching the scene unfold in the centre. Across the room stood Cyrus was watching too, but with an expression I could only describe as murderous. His eyes were locked on Bella and Cullen like they had committed the worst betrayal.
I offered a small smile and waved toward Cyrus, but he didn’t even glance in my direction.
Feeling suddenly small, I walked toward my mother-in-law and father-in-law.
“I’m sorry if I kept you waiting,” I said softly.
“Oh no, dear. We’re not ready just yet,” my mother-in-law replied warmly. “Would you like a drink?”
“Wine,” I said quickly because honestly, I needed something to help me through the evening.
Thankfully, the wine didn’t take long. A few sips later, we were called to the dining table.
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