Chapter 20: The Smithfield Siblings

Sonia’s POV

The morning light felt wrong. Too bright, and too clean. Like the house wanted to erase every trace of what happened last night.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the glass of water on the nightstand. My lips still burned from that kiss. I shouldn’t have kissed him. I shouldn’t have let myself feel anything. But the truth was, I didn’t regret it.

Somewhere between the whiskey and his broken voice, I’d seen who Lucian Smithfield really was. He had the feeling of a little boy. A child who still haunted the piano in that empty mansion. I’d kissed him because, for a second, I wanted to quiet his ghosts. Maybe my own too.

Lucian wasn't broken even though he thought he was. In a novel, the female lead will probably be thinking of fixing him by now. But I didn't see what needed fixing because he was perfect just the way he was.

A soft knock broke my thoughts.

“Mrs. Smithfield?”

I flinched. The title still didn’t sound real. Also, it was a bit too much. “Come in,” I answered, ignoring how uncomfortable I felt.

The door opened, and a woman stepped inside. She was slim, tall, and painfully beautiful. Her perfume smelled like roses and calmness.

“I’m Clara Smithfield,” she said with a warm smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Lucian asked me to assist you this morning.”

Lucian’s sister? Of course, she was. They had the same calm danger in their gaze. And her smile was fake, just like his.

“Oh,” I murmured, standing awkwardly. “That’s… nice of him. But I don't really need any help.”

Clara’s eyes swept across the room. Her eyes lingered on my rumpled sheets, the untouched breakfast tray, and my disheveled hair. “You look… nervous,” she observed. “Don’t be. Lucian’s difficult, but he keeps his word. Most times.”

Most times. That definitely wasn't convincing.

“I’m not nervous,” I lied and put on a smile.

Clara smiled knowingly. “Good. Because your marriage went public about two hours ago.”

My breath caught. “What? I thought it was later in the evening.”

Clara handed me a tablet. The headline screamed across the screen:

“Lucian Smithfield Secretly Married: Meet His New Wife, Sonia Smithfield!”

My picture was right there, me in his living room, blurry but unmistakable. And below it, a smaller image of Michael and me hugging. The caption twisted my stomach:

“Love triangle? Lucian’s new bride is caught between a worker and her billionaire husband.”

I nearly dropped the tablet. “What the hell is this?”

Clara observed my expression closely. “I don't know. But I heard Lucian talking on the phone, he said it's under control. He's also shutting down the rumors before they spiral.”

Lucian said that no one must know the exact date we got married, so I wasn't sure if his sister was aware. She looked nice, and for her to be in his house, they must have a stable relationship. “How is he handling the rumors?” I asked, and Clara showed me another article.

This one stated that Michael and I never dated. Instead, we were business partners doing a job promotion.

“What the fuck? He is starting another rumor?! Does he think the world revolves around manipulation?” I questioned with a grimace, and angrily stamped my foot on the floor. Michael and I were no longer together, but that didn't mean I was fine with telling lies.

Clara looked at me with something between pity and amusement. “What do you mean? How is it manipulation? You're in a relationship with Lucian, how could you have dated Michael?” She asked with a suspicious voice.

I was caught off guard by her question. “Oh, yeah. Lucian didn't tell you,” I murmured under my breath, unfortunately, Clara heard me.

“He didn't tell me what?” Clara asked, and I knew I had to come up with an excuse.

“That we were in an open relationship briefly, and I dated Michael during the period,” I lied with a convincing voice, and Clara believed me.

Clara nodded, “Oh, I had no idea that my brother likes to share. Anyways, since you don't need my help, dress up and come downstairs,” she informed me with a polite smile.

Before I could respond, she opened the door and left.

“Fuck! Which dress am I supposed to wear?” I whispered, and gently hit my hands on the door. I was new here, so I didn't know where to find clean clothes, and since none of my stuff had been brought, I had no idea what to do.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the bathroom, determined to be an independent lady.

The bathtub had been prepared, all that a lady needs when bathing was placed in a corner of the bathroom, and the water heater was on.

I took my bath, washing my body meticulously. Today would be a busy day for me, and I had to prepare myself ahead. My mind went to Angela, and I made a mental note to call her. If the news was trending, then she should be aware and she's probably wondering what was going on.

“Fuck. A lot of explaining to do,” I grumbled and stood up from the bathtub.

I came out of the bathroom wearing one of Lucian’s white shirts, the only clean thing I could find hanging in the wardrobe. It was too big, and it looked like a gown. But the good part was that it was soft against my skin. The shirt smelled just like him, and I blushed.

I quickly cleaned my damp hair and creamed my body. A beautiful red gown had been placed on the bed, and I wore it. I could hear faint voices downstairs. One was Lucian's, the other Daniel's, and the last one belonged to Clara.

I didn’t want to see either of them yet, but my curiosity won. I quickly put on the perfume I could find and stepped out of the room, following the voices until I reached the wide staircase. From up there, I could see everything.

Lucian stood by the glass wall, his phone in one hand, his other hand tucked in his pocket. He looked like he’d just stepped out of a magazine; crisp suit, silver cufflinks, and a deep frown. Clara was beside him, flipping through her tablet, her perfect hair falling down her back like silk. As for Daniel, he was nowhere to be found.

They looked like a power duo, dangerous and unshakable. The kind of siblings that made you question if they even had hearts.

And then Lucian lifted his head. His eyes met mine instantly. I froze halfway down the staircase, clutching the railing like it could hide me. The moment felt heavy, and memories from our kiss last night replayed in my head.

A faint smirk touched his lips, and he waved at me. “Morning, Mrs. Smithfield.”

“Don’t start,” I muttered, descending the last few steps.

Clara smiled broadly. “You clean up well, milady,” she said with a smooth voice, though I caught the flicker of disapproval in her eyes. “Lucian, you didn’t tell me your wife had such… confidence.”

Lucian ignored her words and moved closer to me. “We’re running late. The photographers will be here in five minutes.”

“Photographers?” I repeated, confused.

He walked past me, his cologne brushing my senses again. “We need proof. Photos for the press release. Romantic ones.”

I blinked. “You want to take fake-” I paused, eyeing Clara. “Do we need couples’ pictures? Now?” I corrected myself, and Lucian nodded.

“Yes.” He stopped and glanced back at me. “Before they create worse stories than the ones already spreading.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? People already think I’m a homewrecker, and your solution is to feed them a fantasy?”

Clara laughed softly. “Welcome to the family, darling. Also, it's not fantasy since you’re both legally married.”

I turned to her, my brows raised. “You seem to know a lot about lying.”

Clara shrugged her shoulders, and suddenly the doorbell rang. Daniel entered with two photographers and a makeup artist trailing behind him.

“Good morning, sir,” Daniel greeted. “Everything’s ready.”

Lucian nodded curtly. “Set up by the fireplace. I want the background clean and the lighting sharp.”

The photographers moved quickly, adjusting their cameras and whispering about angles. The atmosphere changed and it was all about business.

“Mrs. Smithfield, if you’ll sit closer to your husband,” one of them said politely.

I hesitated. Just say Sonia and Lucian for fuck sake!

Lucian extended his hand to me. “Come on,” he said softly, not as a command this time but as an invitation.

I placed my hand in his. It was warm, igniting something passionate within me. As soon as I sat beside him, the cameras began to click.

“Closer, please,” the photographer requested.

Lucian’s arm slipped around my shoulders. His touch was light, careful. Too careful. For the cameras, he smiled, that perfect, practiced CEO smile that could charm investors and destroy reputations. I tried to do the same, but my face felt stiff.

“Relax,” he murmured under his breath, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “You’re doing fine.”

“Easy for you to say,” I muttered back. “You’re used to pretending.”

His lips curved. “So are you, apparently.”

I glared at him, but the click of cameras drowned my retort. Clara watched from the corner with folded arms. I couldn't read her expression, but I kept wondering what she was thinking about.

After about fifteen minutes, the photographer announced, “Perfect! These are excellent shots.”

I immediately stood, tugging my hand free. “Can I go now?”

Lucian glanced at his watch. “No. We’re heading to the company next. The press is waiting.”

“Waiting?” I echoed, panicking slightly.

“Yes,” he said, unbothered. “We’re making the official announcement. Together.”

“Fuck, I forgot. You should have told me earlier.”

He adjusted his cufflinks. “If I had told you, you’d have overthought it and refused. This way, I’m saving time.”

“Lucian, you can’t just -”

He stepped close again, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “You wanted to stand beside me, Sonia. That means standing in the storm too.”

‘Stand beside you? When the fuck did I say that?’ My subconscious roared.

Clara’s sharp voice broke the tension. “You two look cute when you argue. You look like an old couple.”

I smiled at her. Although Clara looked strict and she acted suspiciously. Something about her made me feel at ease, and I appreciate her sincerity.

“The car is ready. Let's go!” Daniel informed us, and Lucian gently led me to the door.