Kelly
The streets were quieter than usual as I drove toward Adrian’s family house, but the storm brewing inside me was anything but calm. Harper sat in the backseat, humming a song she had learned in school, completely oblivious to the weight pressing on me.
I tightened my grip on the wheel, breathing in deeply to steady my nerves. Adrian was back in the city, and tonight was the customary family dinner. It wasn’t a tradition I enjoyed, but it was necessary to maintain the facade.
Over the years, Adrian’s family had become fond of me, showering Harper with love and acceptance as their granddaughter. They believed what Adrian and I had agreed they should: that we were married and Harper was his child. It had been his suggestion to keep our arrangement from them.
“It’ll save everyone u
