Chapter 10 Violet
Magnus walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen just as Sophia stepped out, a coffee cup cradled in her hand.
She hadn’t gone back to the bedroom the previous night. Instead, she’d curled up on the couch with a movie playing softly in the background, exhaustion creeping up on her until sleep took her without warning. Magnus, on the other hand, had spent the night alone upstairs—wide awake.
Sophia stopped short the moment she noticed him.
He looked… terrible.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his expression drawn and rigid, as though sleep hadn’t touched him at all.
“Were you working all night?” she asked instinctively, brows knitting together. “Why do you look like that?”
Magnus lifted his gaze.
His eyes moved over her slowly, dragging from her face down to the curve of her shoulders, the loose fabric she wore, the way she stood relaxed and unaware. His gaze lingered a fraction longer than necessary before he spoke, his voice edged with something unpleasant.
“You slept quite well, it seems.”
Unaware of the undercurrent beneath his words, Sophia nodded lightly, shifting the cup in her hands.
“Yes. I did.”
Something dark flickered through his eyes.
Sophia’s gaze dropped abruptly, memories from the previous night flashing through her mind without permission—his hands, his breath, the way her body had reacted.
Realization dawned.
Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks.
“So that’s why…” she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to him.
Even so, Magnus heard it.
“I don’t have any interest in you!” he snapped immediately, the words coming out fast and defensive, annoyance flaring sharp across his face.
Sophia pressed her lips together, biting back the laugh that almost escaped. Instead of arguing, she simply nodded, her shoulders lifting in a small, placating motion.
“Okay.”
That only seemed to irritate him further.
His jaw tightened. He drew in a slow breath, then stepped closer, invading her space without warning. Before she could react, he reached out and took the coffee cup straight from her hand.
Sophia blinked, staring at him. “Hey—”
Magnus lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip.
Her eyes widened.
“I already drank from that,” she protested. “That’s my second cup.”
Unbothered, he took another sip. Then another. Only then did he lower the cup.
“You have to come with me today,” he said. “My family is coming over to meet you.”
She frowned. “Didn’t we just meet your mother recently?”
“That was just my mom,” he replied evenly. “The rest of my family is coming today. Since we’re married, they want to meet you. Everyone will be at my mother’s house.”
Sophia pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup.
Even though their marriage was only supposed to last three months, it was becoming increasingly clear that Magnus had no intention of keeping it distant or simple. The line between temporary and real was blurring faster than she had expected.
And whether she liked it or not, meeting his family was inevitable.
After breakfast, they both got ready. By afternoon, they were pulling up in front of Camila’s house.
As soon as they stepped out of the car, Magnus reached for her hand again, his fingers wrapping around hers, leading her inside without giving her a chance to refuse. Together, they walked into the house.
Sophia hadn’t expected what she saw next.
The living room was already full. Voices overlapped, laughter mixed with conversation, and the space felt crowded and alive. The moment they entered, heads turned almost in unison.
Eyes landed on her.
Her grip tightened instinctively around Magnus’s hand.
***
Lunch passed in a blur.
Sophia was introduced to Magnus’s brothers—Sebastian and Alexander—and their wives, Emily and Mia. Harold’s mother, Hannah, was there as well.
As they sat around the table, talking and eating, Sophia mostly listened, quietly observing the family dynamic.
Sebastian carried himself with the natural authority of an elder brother. Standing beside him and Alexander, Magnus looked different.
Both Sebastian and Alexander had rougher edges to their features—solid builds. Magnus, though far from boyish, carried a sharper, fresher look that clearly set him apart as the youngest.
All three brothers were handsome in their own way.
One had sharp, striking features that immediately drew attention, while the other wore a naturally charming smile that softened his expression. Magnus, meanwhile, sat quieter than usual, his gaze occasionally drifting back to her as if checking that she was still alright.
Emily and Mia were warm and cheerful.
Mia was noticeably younger, her bright, infatuating smile making her instantly likable. Emily, in contrast, appeared more composed and sophisticated—but when she spoke, her tone was genuine and welcoming, putting Sophia at ease without effort.
Hannah stood out the most.
With her blonde hair, green eyes, and refined bearing, she looked nothing like Harold. It was immediately obvious that Harold had taken after his father—because Hannah’s features were entirely different.
The entire family was surprisingly welcoming.
As the conversation flowed and laughter filled the table, Sophia realized she didn’t feel like a stranger at all. No one treated her like an outsider or an obligation. Without effort, she was folded into the family, included in stories and teasing as if she had always been there.
For the first time since arriving, her shoulders relaxed.
After lunch, everyone moved into the living room, settling onto the couches and armchairs. The mood stayed light, laughter breaking out as Sebastian recounted some recent drama involving a new client the family had taken on.
Sophia was mid-smile when sudden footsteps echoed down the hallway.
The sound cut cleanly through the room.
Every head turned.
Violet walked in first, her heels clicking confidently against the floor. A bouquet of fresh flowers rested carefully in her hands. Thomas followed close behind her, carrying several gift bags and boxes.
“What a surprise,” Violet said brightly, slowing to a stop as she took in the room. Her eyes widened—not with hesitation, but with delight. Her smile only grew.
“Are you all having a family reunion today? That’s wonderful. Looks like I came at the right time.”
Without waiting for a response, she moved forward, gesturing for Thomas to place the gifts on the table.
“Uncle Arthur sent me,” she added cheerfully. “He asked me to bring these gifts for you, Mrs. Graves.”
Camila stared at Violet silently.
The smile she’d worn all afternoon vanished.
Sophia noticed it immediately.
The warm, laughing Camila from earlier disappeared in an instant. In her place sat a composed, distant woman—poised and restrained, the kind of elegant woman who wouldn’t spare an unnecessary glance for someone she didn’t welcome.
Violet, however, either didn’t notice the change… or deliberately chose to ignore it.
She turned toward the others and waved brightly. “Hi, everyone. I’m Sophia’s cousin, Violet. It’s nice to meet you.”
The family exchanged brief glances.
Emily and Mia both offered polite smiles and leaned forward to greet her, though their eyes flickered—quick and curious—toward Sophia and Magnus.
Neither Sophia nor Magnus made any move to respond to Violet.
The silence was subtle but clear.
That alone made it clear—Violet was not a welcome guest.
Unfazed, Violet stepped closer and held out the bouquet, her smile still sweet.
“This is for you, Mrs. Graves.” She placed the flowers in Camila’s hands.
Camila accepted the bouquet with a brief nod. “Sit down,” she said calmly.
Violet smiled and moved to the single-seater couch, smoothing her dress as she sat.
Camila turned slightly. “Thomas, bring some coffee for her.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Thomas replied at once, already moving toward the kitchen.
Camila’s gaze then drifted to the gifts arranged neatly on the table. She studied them without touching anything, her eyes finally settling on one particular box—a transparent case displaying an antique vase inside.
“Wasn’t this vase sold at the latest auction in Paris?” she asked mildly.
Violet’s smile brightened instantly. “Yes, Mrs. Graves. You have a very sharp eye. My dad personally bought it so we could gift it to you for marrying Sophia.”
Her voice was sweet, perfectly measured. Then she added lightly, as if it were an afterthought, “Despite all her flaws.”
Camila didn’t even look at her.
She lifted her gaze and turned to Magnus instead. “I bought a bangle at the same auction,” she said casually. “What was it—three million dollars?”
She tilted her head slightly, as though trying to remember, then waved a dismissive hand. “I purchased it without much thought. I realized I was lacking ruby pieces.”
Her tone remained effortless, conversational.
“I’ll wear it the next time I go shopping nearby. I don’t think I can wear something that cheap to any big events.” She paused, lips curving faintly. “I don’t particularly like it. Perhaps the maids will. I can always give it to them as a Christmas gift.”
“Sure, Mom,” Magnus replied evenly, without the slightest reaction.
Violet’s face flushed instantly.
The realization hit her hard. The gift her father had specially selected didn’t even come close to a hundred thousand dollars. Compared to what Camila dismissed so casually, the vase was nothing—utterly insignificant.
Camila noticed Violet’s expression and smirked faintly.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she continued smoothly,
“Alexander, the jewelry I bought last time from Satire—it turned out to be flawed. There’s a shine in it that shouldn’t be there. You said it was an antique, didn’t you? Then how could it have that kind of gloss?”
Alexander straightened immediately, frowning. “There shouldn’t be. If it’s an antique, it definitely shouldn't shine.”