Alicia stepped into the grand mansion, Julian by her side in silence. Her black dress, crafted by Julian's team, fit her perfectly. In the living room, they found Julian's mother, Lena. At first, Lena looked tense, but then her face lit up when she saw Alicia.
"My dear," Lena exclaimed, pulling Alicia into a warm embrace. "You're even more stunning than Julian's photos. He really knows how to pick them."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hale," Alicia replied, keeping her cool. She remembered to avoid being too familiar. Lena motioned for them to take a seat.
"Julian mentioned you're a CEO. That's impressive. I'm glad my son found you," Lena said.
"I just love what I do," Alicia said, exuding confidence. "My team and I are working on a new AI product that improves customer experiences."
The conversation flowed easily. Julian stayed quiet, his face hard to read. Lena listened with interest until she asked, "Where are you from, dear?"
"I'm from Canada," Alicia answered. "But I grew up in the U.S."
"And your parents? Are they doing well?" Lena's curiosity mixed with politeness caught Alicia off guard.
She hesitated. A glance at Julian showed his warning. Ignoring it, she replied, "My father is in prison. He's been there since I was a kid. My mother... she's in the hospital now, but she's getting better."
Julian shifted uncomfortably. Lena's expression softened, her tension easing. She took Alicia's hand, eyes filled with sympathy. "Oh, you poor thing. I had no idea you've faced so much."
Just as the mood started to lighten, Lena clapped her hands, breaking the moment.
"This is wonderful! We'll have the wedding in seven days."
The words hit hard. Julian stared at his mother, disbelief clear on his face. Alicia felt her composure slip away, panic taking over.
As they left the mansion and got into the car, silence enveloped them.
***
The mood in the car shifted. It wasn't chilly anymore. Julian drove quietly for a moment before he spoke up. "Is it true?" he asked softly.
Alicia turned to him. "Is what true?"
"Are you really from Canada?" His curiosity was clear.
"Yes," she answered.
He stayed quiet, keeping his eyes on the road. "And your father... is he really in jail?" he asked gently.
She took a deep breath. "Yes."
Julian shook his head, confused. "Why tell her that? You played the CEO role perfectly. She believed you. Why not stick to the story? You could've said anything, like he passed away or travels a lot?"
Alicia replied firmly. "I'll pretend to be a CEO, a classy lady to help my mom. But I won't lie about my family. Never."
She looked him straight in the eye. For the first time, Julian's expression shifted. He couldn't grasp why she would risk everything for honesty.
***
The hospital room was still, except for the steady beep of the heart monitor by her mother's bed.
Alicia sat on a hard chair, holding her mother's hand. The surgery went well, but her mother was still unconscious.
Relief washed over Alicia, but it quickly turned to sadness. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She lowered her head, resting her forehead on her mother's hand.
"Mom," she whispered. "You're safe now. The surgery worked. The doctors say you'll be okay." She paused, more tears spilling over.
This sadness felt deeper than the moment. "I'm so sorry, Mom. After seven years, he just left. Peter broke my heart and left me with a $300,000 debt."
She tightened her grip, feeling the heavy silence. "I had no choice. There was no other way."
"I'm getting married," she confessed. "In four days. Not like a real wedding. It's just a contract, a lie. All for you." Alicia poured out her secrets and promises.
She spoke about Julian and the fake life she was leading. It didn't matter that her mother couldn't hear her.
Saying it all made her choice feel more real.