Chapter 64 Returning to the Whitaker family, Meeting Alaric's Parents
After breakfast, Cecilia and Alaric made their way to the Whitaker family home together.
Cecilia couldn't help but feel uneasy as they approached. Meeting Alaric’s family for the first time was daunting enough, but pretending to be his wife added an extra layer of awkwardness.
Sensing her discomfort, Alaric offered reassurance. "My family is pretty easygoing," he said, attempting to ease her nerves.
Cecilia glanced at him skeptically. "Are they all easy to get along with?"
"All of them, except..." Alaric trailed off, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Except who?" Cecilia pressed.
"Certain individuals," he replied with deliberate indifference.
"Who exactly?" she asked, a bit exasperated.
"You'll find out soon enough," Alaric said nonchalantly.
"Can't you give me a heads-up?" Cecilia insisted.
"If I do, there won't be any surprises," he teased.
"Alaric, what kind of surprise is this?" Cecilia muttered, dreading any unpleasant encounters on her first day meeting his family.
"You're so smart. I believe you'll figure it out in no time," Alaric said with confidence that only made Cecilia more frustrated.
The car soon pulled up to the Whitaker family's villa. Situated halfway up a hill, the villa resembled a grand medieval estate with its expansive lawns and magnificent architecture, momentarily leaving Cecilia in awe.
As they entered the grand hall, Cecilia couldn't help but marvel at the palatial splendor that surrounded them. The decor was luxurious and stately, speaking volumes about the family's wealth and standing.
From a distance, she noticed the entire Whitaker family seated on the sofas, awaiting their arrival. She took a deep, steadying breath, attempting to calm her nerves.
Her thoughts drifted back to the morning after her wedding to Dominic. They had lived with his family, and she remembered being taken to greet his parents. Their haughty demeanor and Penelope’s deliberate sarcasm were still vivid memories. Dominic had explained that his parents' aloofness was natural given their status as elders and urged her to be understanding. As for Penelope, he had dismissed her willfulness as the folly of youth, urging Cecilia to overlook it.
Cecilia had once naively believed Dominic's explanations. She had thought that his parents' arrogance was merely a consequence of their status as elders, and that Penelope's disrespect was simply youthful indiscretion.
Now, as she stood poised before Alaric’s family, she smiled inwardly, vowing that this time, she would not tolerate any indignity.
Just then, Alaric unexpectedly grasped her hand. "We need to show we’re getting along," he murmured, a subtle reminder of their pretense.
Cecilia nodded silently, contemplating the irony of maintaining appearances. Together, they approached the sofa where the Whitaker family awaited.
Caspian and Arabella, Alaric’s parents, occupied the center of the sofa. To the left sat Christopher, the eldest son, and his wife, Grace. To the right were Jasper, the second son, and a woman Cecilia presumed was Jasper's girlfriend. At the far end of the sofa, a girl cradled a white ragdoll cat; the tableau of the girl and cat was strikingly serene.
"Cecilia, you’re here so early! You must have been exhausted from yesterday; why didn’t you rest a bit longer?" Arabella rose with genuine warmth and took Cecilia’s hand affectionately.
The contrast between Arabella’s genuine warmth and the calculating demeanor of Octavia, Dominic’s mother, from Cecilia’s past was stark. Octavia's supposed affection had always felt disingenuous, making Cecilia instinctively recoil. Arabella, however, radiated a sincerity that was both refreshing and comforting.
Cecilia offered a composed smile. "I slept well. Alaric and I left early last night, so I had a good rest. It was you who worked so hard."
Arabella waved away the compliment with a gracious smile. "We’re family; there’s no need to talk about hard work. Come, sit down."
"Mom, don't forget you made coffee especially for them," Grace chimed in, her smile warm.
Arabella patted her forehead, feigning forgetfulness. "Thank you, Grace. Laura, please bring the coffee we prepared for Alaric and Cecilia."
"Yes, Mrs. Arabella Whitaker," the servant replied respectfully.
Then, two servants brought two cups of coffee on trays to Cecilia and Alaric.
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