Life in the Greyworth mansion was very different from what Allegra was used to.There was no music, no chatter, even the staff moved like ghosts.
The Greyworth mansion was a perfect work of architecture. Allegra thought it felt more like a museum than a home. Three days had passed since she stood at the altar with an emotionless groom, yet she still felt like a stranger in the Greyworth mansion.
Nicholas spent long hours working in his study, during what was meant to be their honeymoon, while his mother floated in and out of the mansion. Estelle had insisted on hosting "a private family dinner" that evening.
The dining room glittered under the chandeliers, with a wide variety of dishes laid out so elegantly, Allegra was afraid to touch them.
Estelle sat at the head of the table, with a tall glass of wine in her hand. Nicholas was seated by her right, cold and unreadable.
"Allegra darling," Estelle called as Allegra entered. "You look beautiful. Just gorgeous ! Don't you agree, Nicholas?"
Nicholas simply hummed a response, barely lifting his eyes from his wine. His behavior did not surprise Allegra. She took a seat beside him, earning a smile of approval from Estelle.
The doors opened and two figures stepped in.
Emily Greyworth came first; beautiful, bright eyed and smiling. She hurried down the table and into Nicholas' arms. "Dad!" The affection in her voice was obvious.
Allegra watched Nicholas' face soften as he hugged his daughter. "Emily." He spoke into her dark curls. "You look beautiful."
Emily looked down at her father's legs. "Your legs are getting stronger." She grinned proudly. "Dr. Hales must be working wonders."
Nicholas shrugged. "He does his best."
Jonathan walked in, behind his sister. Confident, well dressed, every inch his father's son. He walked with the same effortless grace that made Allegra fall in love with him years ago.
"Jonathan!" Estelle called warmly, standing to embrace her grandson. "It's been too long."
"I'm happy to see you." Jonathan said, returning the hug. His gaze rested on Nicholas, sharp with resentment. "Father." He greeted.
"Jonathan." Nicholas acknowledged his son with a formal nod.
When Jonathan turned to Allegra, her world stopped. His sharp, penetrating gaze landed on her _ she would recognize his deep blue eyes anywhere.
It was Jonathan . Her Jonathan.
The man who had promised to love her forever. The man who had left her when she needed him the most.
When their eyes met, Jonathan froze.
"Children." Estelle called warmly. "As you know, your father has finally remarried. Meet my new daughter-in-law, Allegra Greyworth."
The silence that followed was painfully long.
"Hello Emily. Hello Jonathan." Allegra finally said, trying to sound confident. Her pulse was pounding in her ears as she stared at Jonathan.
Emily beamed. "It's nice to finally meet you. Though it would have been nice if I was told before the actual wedding day." She said, playfully glaring at Nicholas. "I would have loved to be a bridesmaid."
Despite her nerves, Allegra managed a small smile. "That would have been nice."
Jonathan took a seat by Estelle's left, his gaze still resting on Allegra.
Dinner began immediately. The tension between Allegra and Jonathan was thick. Everyone else engaged in light conversation. Emily discussed her art exhibition in London with her father, who seemed genuinely interested.
Allegra could not help but smile at the warmth between them. It was obvious that Nicholas loved his daughter.
Somehow, Estelle managed to shift the conversation. "Allegra is such a lovely young woman." She said. "She is fitting right into our family. What do you think, Jonathan?"
Allegra's stomach twisted before Jonathan even opened his mouth.
"Seems like it." Jonathan shrugged, his gaze still fixed on Allegra, who shifted uncomfortably.
Nicholas looked between his wife and his son, suspicious. "Do you two know each other?"
Nicholas could be as observant as Estelle when he wanted to. Besides, it was hard to ignore the way Jonathan stared at Allegra.
"Yes." Jonathan answered. "We've met." His tone was cool and professional.
"How?" Nicholas asked, surprised.
"Through mutual friends, many years ago." Allegra answered quickly, hoping to silence Nicholas' suspicions. "We were much younger then." She added.
Estelle hid her interest behind a smile. "What a small world." She said, her sharp eyes moving between them. She would pretend not to notice _ for now.
Dinner continued smoothly. Estelle led the conversation, asking her grandchildren several questions.
Out of nowhere, Jonathan spoke up. "Allegra," he called, his voice was low and sharp. "How does it feel, marrying into this family?"
Allegra lifted her eyes from her wine to meet Jonathan's angry eyes. "It feels like a dream." She said, silently begging him to leave her alone. "An unexpected dream."
Jonathan let out a dry laugh. "Indeed," He said smoothly. "It must have been."
For the rest of the evening, Allegra ate with trembling hands and shaky breaths. Jonathan's gaze burned her across the table, full of disbelief and betrayal.
When dinner was finally over, Estelle grinned, satisfied. "This dinner was enlightening." She purred. "It's nice to be together as a family again. Sleep well, dears." She bid everyone goodnight and retired to bed. Her smile was constant, but her eyes never missed a thing.
Nicholas stood first, almost immediately after Estelle. "Don't stay up too late, Emily." He spoke only to his daughter.
"Goodnight, dad." Emily said warmly as Nicholas walked away. Turning to Allegra, she said. "It was really nice meeting you. I hope we will get to know each other better."
Allegra smiled. She could tell that Emily was genuinely kind. "I'd like that, Emily."
"Goodnight, both of you." Emily said to Allegra and Jonathan, then walked up the staircase.
The silence that befell them after Emily left was deafening. It was like a ticking bomb, waiting to go off.
Allegra decided to put an end to the tension by leaving. She stood and began stacking her napkin. "Goodnight Jonathan." She said politely, then turned to leave.
"Running away already?" His voice was low and mocking.
Allegra felt her pulse racing. "I'm not running." She retorted.
The sound of his chair scraping against the floor as he rose, echoed through the room, sending a shiver down Allegra's spine.
"Then what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Allegra turned sharply to meet Jonathan's gaze. His eyes burned with anger, confusion and hurt.
"Don't do this." She spoke, with pleading eyes. "Not tonight."
"Then when?" Jonathan asked angrily. "How am I supposed to watch you parade this house as my stepmother? How do you expect me to pretend like we never—-"
He stopped mid sentence. He could not get himself to recall their past.
"Jonathan, please…" Allegra whispered.
Jonathan's jaw clenched. "Why? Why would you do something this…cruel?"
"I was desperate." Allegra finally admitted, with tears in her eyes. "I lost my father and I had no money, no home. Marrying Nicholas was the only way out."
Jonathan's expression softened for a moment. "You could have chosen anyone else, Allegra." He scoffed, his face turning sour again. "Anyone but my father."
"I didn't know he was your father!" Allegra snapped.
"Oh, really?" Jonathan laughed drily.
"Yes, really." Allegra spoke defensively, her pulse racing. "How would I know? Your surname is Wendell! I never knew you were related to the Greyworths and I never even imagined that you're Estelle Greyworth's grandson! You never told me."
Jonathan stared at her for a long, fragile moment. His anger was a mask for his pain. Pain and deep regret.
"I can't believe you threw what we had away, for a loveless marriage." His tone was low, his voice laced with pain.
"You threw it away, Jonathan. Not me." Allegra's voice cracked. "You left me when I needed you the most. I just did what I had to do to survive." Allegra spoke.
Jonathan took a step closer, close enough for her to smell the cologne she used to love. "Tell me, Allegra, do you love him?"
Allegra froze.
Jonathan studied her silence _ he had always been able to read her like an open book.
"That's what I thought."
Before Allegra could think of a reply, she heard the low hum of wheels from the hallway.
"Jonathan." Nicholas called, his voice sharp and controlled. "I thought you'd left." He said evenly.
Jonathan's jaw clenched. "I was just finishing a conversation." He replied, masking the tension with a shrug.
Nicholas' gaze drifted between his estranged son and his new wife for a long moment, his eyes cold and assessing.
He had not heard their words, but the tension was obvious.
"It's late." Nicholas finally said. "Don't make a habit of cornering my wife at night." His voice was calm, but behind it was strong authority.
"Understood." Jonathan held his father's gaze for a moment, then turned to Allegra. "Goodnight Mrs Greyworth."
With that, he strode down the hall.
Nicholas studied Allegra, his expression unreadable. "Is there something you would like to tell me?" He asked.
Allegra's breath hitched. "Not at all." She quickly lied. "He was just… asking about the wedding."
Nicholas studied her face for another long moment, before finally speaking. "You should rest. This family can be overwhelming."
He turned his wheelchair and left, leaving Allegra alone in the dining room, with her heart pounding.
Nicholas had not heard the conversation , but she could tell that he did not believe her.
And that terrified her more than Jonathan's anger ever could.