The next morning, Anika woke up feeling as though every muscle in her body had been thoroughly dismantled and reassembled. A deep, sweet ache throbbed through her hips, making even shifting in the tangled sheets a breathless task.

The suite door swung open, and Tessa stepped in, freezing at the sight of torn clothing and utter chaos scattered across the floor.

"Holy hell," Tessa gasped, picking up a shredded shirt collar. "Did a hurricane hit this bed?"

Anika pulled the duvet tightly over her bare chest, her cheeks burning as vivid flashbacks from the night rushed in.

The wheelchair by the wall had suggested a physical handicap, but the man had been anything but helpless. His legs might lack motor mobility, but his core, his grip, and his untamed, ferocious virility were mind-blowing. He had dominated the night with ruthless stamina, leaving her completely wrecked until the early hours of dawn.

"Did you... you know?" Tessa’s jaw dropped. "With the guy in the wheelchair?"

"It was an accident," Anika croaked, her voice still raspy from the night before. "And trust me... his injury doesn't affect his physical capability in the slightest."

Tessa shook her head hard. "No way! My parents would lose it!"

Anika eyed her, half amused. "You’re always checking out guys, acting all bold."

"I just like to look. I’m not about to dive in," Tessa shot back, brushing off the tease. "By the way, what’s up with Evan?"

Anika shrugged. "He’s with Lorelai Wells now."

Tessa’s jaw dropped. "…Seriously?"

It was baffling. What could he possibly see in her? She needed more details.

"Lorelai used my account for her livestream last night. I’m pretty sure your brother realized his so-called 'idol' was actually her, and that’s what sparked the breakup. Doesn’t matter though—that’s their mess, not mine, and you don’t need to console me. I’m not bothered." Anika’s indifference was real; she never wasted time on people who weren’t worth it.

Tessa was speechless.

"But that account is yours!" Tessa insisted. "Technically, Evan’s idol should be you. You were about to reveal your secret identity, and instead he dumps you? My brother’s gonna be so pissed when he finds out the truth!"

"Stay out of it," Anika warned.

"Aren’t you upset, though? There’s major backlash online. Fans are accusing you of faking your whole 'not in it for the money' thing. They’re saying you won’t get your followers back if you keep posting under that account." Tessa’s tone was full of sympathy.

Anika just smiled. "I can start fresh with a new account."

Fame and followers didn’t matter to her. She was in it for the passion.

**

Tessa took Anika out for breakfast. Mid-bite, Anika’s phone buzzed—her mom, Myra Knight.

"Mom."

Myra’s voice came through in a shaky, tearful rush. "I’ve told you—no matter how hard it gets, you have to endure it. Why did you leave again? Mrs. Powell is livid this time. Go back to the Powell house and apologize. Don’t make her angrier."

Endure it. Always endure it. Why did her mom keep pushing this?

"Mom, I’m not going back. That place isn’t my home, and they don’t deserve to be my family," Anika said, her voice steady. Not even her mother’s pressure could shake her resolve.

Myra’s frustration hit its peak, and she laid down an ultimatum. "Either come home now, or forget you have a mother. You want to cut ties with the Powells? Fine. Try cutting me off first."

"Mom." Anika struggled to understand. "Why are you forcing this? What’s so amazing about the Powell family? We’d be fine on our own."

"No." Myra’s refusal was hard, her words weighted with hard-won experience. "Only as the Powell family’s daughter will you marry well. I won’t let you end up like me. Please, sweetheart, just come back."

Anika got it—her mom wanted a good life for her, a good marriage—but Anika was done letting anyone call the shots.

"Sorry, Mom. I’m not listening this time." She ended the call.

"Sweetheart, please don’t hurt your mother like this…"

Anika powered down her phone and went back to her breakfast like nothing had happened, glancing over at Tessa. Surprisingly, Tessa was the one who looked furious. "Why does Aunt Myra always tell you to just take it? You’ve already been through enough!"

"Well, your dear friend is officially homeless," Anika hinted.

Whenever she was down, Anika crashed at Tessa’s place, where Tessa’s family absolutely adored her. Especially her gift for mimicking any sound or emotion—she could entertain everyone for hours. Anika was like a real-life soundboard, bringing the fun wherever she went. Tessa always loved having her around and secretly wished she’d never leave. But today, Tessa hesitated.

"Is there a problem?" Anika asked.

Tessa nodded. "Not really, but Adrian is back in the country—my father's younger brother. He’s super into his privacy and has a seriously short fuse. You’re totally welcome to stay, just… steer clear of him. Even I avoid him. I’m too scared to say a word."

Anika lifted an eyebrow. Was it really that serious?

"And my brother. He texted earlier—he’s bringing his girlfriend home. Probably Lorelai Wells. I’m just worried you might…" Feel hurt.

Anika had dated Evan for two years and visited his family often, but they’d never gone public with the relationship, afraid of family pushback. They’d planned to announce it at twenty, but the relationship ended first.

"Why would I care? Your brother is just a blip." Anika’s coolness impressed Tessa, but it also tugged at her heart.

"Exactly. My brother is nothing. Even if Lorelai’s with him, she’ll never be my sister-in-law. You’re the one I call family," Tessa declared, picking her side.

"Cheers to that." Anika gave her a thumbs-up.

**

At the Murphy family estate.

"Hey, Forest." Anika greeted him warmly; she’d long been part of the family’s inner circle.

Forest Young helped with her bags, gushing over her generosity. "Miss Knight, you always bring so much! You’re way too kind. And by the way, the ringtone you made for me is amazing! Do you have time to make one for my wife?"

"Let me see your phone."

As they walked, Anika recorded a new ringtone. Her voice was captivating, smooth as a gentle stream, slipping into the listener’s ears and making them feel completely at ease.

"Does this work, Forest?" she asked.

He nodded eagerly, completely charmed by her sweet voice. "Thank you, Miss Knight."

"Miss Knight, can you record something for us, too?"

"Miss Knight, my son’s store is opening—could you record something?"

"Miss Knight, I’d love one as well."

"Me too."

Surrounded by staff like always, Anika took it in stride. Her voice drew them in every time. Her talent was just that irresistible.

"I’ll take care of it later, when I’ve got some time," she promised.

The staff made way, and Tessa grabbed her arm, steering her toward the mansion. "Girl, you draw a crowd everywhere you go. Everyone’s so jealous of you! Please stop being so freaking perfect—my parents just might trade me in for you!"

Inside the estate.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Anika's here!" Tessa announced, handing out the gifts Anika had brought. "These are all from her. I told her not to bring a thing, but she insisted it'd be rude to show up empty-handed on Thanksgiving."

"Hello, Grandpa, Grandma, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy," Anika said, her voice soft and warm.

There was something about her—soothing tone, those captivating eyes—that just pulled everyone in.

"Anika, come sit with us! It's been way too long since you last visited. I was just telling my husband—you've gotta stay a few days this time, keep me company," Martha said, beaming.

Anika smiled, genuinely pleased. "If you're sure I'm not imposing, I'd love to."

"Imposing? Of course not! We'd be thrilled!" Martha took Anika's hand gently. "Tessa, take Anika upstairs and let her pick a room, get settled."

"Got it, Mom." Tessa led Anika up the stairs. "You should just take the same room as last time. You're already familiar with it."

"Works for me," Anika said, totally easygoing about it.

She wasn't planning to stay long anyway. Once she found her own place, she'd be out.

"I'll grab you some fresh towels. Hold up!" Tessa darted off.

Anika pushed open the door to her room, about to walk in, when she heard noises from next door. That room had always been empty during her previous visits, but now it sounded occupied.

She decided not to be nosy and settled in, waiting for Tessa.

"Who's staying next door?" Anika asked, curious.

Tessa's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's Adrian's room. Just... do yourself a favor and stay outta his way."

Anika was puzzled. "Why? Is he dangerous or something?"

Tessa nodded, her face serious. "He's way more intimidating than you think. His mood swings—you never know what'll set him off. And the big thing: a while back, he injured his legs. Can't stand at all. Ever since, he's been even more volatile. Nobody in this family wants to poke that bear."

Anika's heart skipped. "..."

The image of the man from last night flashed through her mind—his legs injured, unable to walk.

No. It couldn't be. There was no way that man was Adrian Murphy.

She and Tessa hung out in the room until dinner. As they were heading out, a loud crash came from next door—something heavy hitting the floor.

Instinctively, Anika glanced around the corner, but Tessa yanked her back. Even so, Anika caught a glimpse: the man who had fallen from his wheelchair. Even sprawled there, unable to move, his intense gaze and that perfectly tailored black suit radiated authority.

She recognized his face instantly.

It was him—the man from last night.

"That's Adrian? Your uncle?" Anika asked, her voice barely a whisper, shock rippling through her.

She'd literally gotten tangled up with her best friend's uncle.

"Yeah, now come on, let's go," Tessa hurried, tugging Anika away without even checking if Adrian could get himself up.

Anika was floored. "..." Seriously? Just leave him like that?

"He fell," Anika pointed out.

"Someone else will help him. If we go in there and he freaks, we're dead," Tessa muttered.

Downstairs.

Evan Murphy had arrived with Lorelai Wells, and they were seated on the living room sofa.

Anika's eyes met Evan's for a split second. He looked pissed—probably thinking she'd shown up to patch things up. But he'd made it crystal clear over the phone: they were done. No going back.

His glare was a silent warning: don't cause a scene, or they wouldn't even be friends.

Anika read him loud and clear. But she had zero intention of making a scene. She didn't waste energy on petty stuff, least of all on someone like him. While Anika kept her cool, Tessa was the exact opposite. She grabbed Anika's arm and marched right over.

"Oh, so this is your new girlfriend, bro? She's alright, I guess, but she's nowhere near as stunning as Anika," Tessa said, dripping with sarcasm. It was her house—she'd say whatever the hell she wanted, especially when it came to defending her bestie.

Martha's face hardened. "Watch your mouth! Lorelai is your brother's girlfriend, and if things go well, she'll be your sister-in-law. Apologize. Now!"

Apologize?

Not a chance.

"Then my brother must be blind—trading a diamond for a damn pebble."

Evan jabbed a finger at Tessa. "Watch it, Tessa, or I'll slap you right in front of Mom and Dad."

Tessa leaned in, defiant. "Oh, I totally believe you. You can't tell a dog from a deer, so hitting your own sister? Sure, go for it. I won't even duck. Hell, I'll drop the family name if I flinch."

"You little..." Evan's jaw clenched.

Lorelai stood up, plastering on a gracious smile. "Aunt, Evan, don't blame Tessa. She's just... outspoken. I actually love her boldness. It's refreshing."

Smooth talker. A real piece of work.

Tessa wasn't buying it. She grabbed Anika. "C'mon, sis, forget her."

Everyone gathered around the table.

"Tessa, go invite Adrian down for dinner," Martha ordered.

No one wanted to do that. No one wanted to get caught in his crosshairs.

"Nope. Not going," Tessa said, clinging to Anika's arm.

"Then you don't eat. Go."

Tessa reluctantly dragged herself upstairs, but she was terrified. She turned pleading eyes to Anika. "Come with me, please! You're strong. If he flips out, you can totally throw him over your shoulder."

"Sure," Anika said. "You're my ride-or-die, remember?"

Tessa grinned. "You're the freaking best! Love you, sis!"

Upstairs, they spent a solid ten minutes arguing over who'd open the door. Finally, Anika gave Tessa a playful shove, and Tessa stumbled right into the room, landing in front of the wheelchair.

"Oops."

Tessa waved awkwardly. "Uh, hey, Adrian."

The man in the wheelchair was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking utterly relaxed yet radiating command. His piercing eyes fixed on Tessa, clearly irritated. He didn't have to say a word—the displeasure rolled off him in waves, ready to explode.

Tessa froze, her smile crumbling into a pathetic grimace.

His lips parted, about to speak.

Just then, Anika stepped in, smoothly helping Tessa up with a smile. "I know you wanted a Thanksgiving present from him, but there's no need to be so formal greeting him, right?" She met Adrian's eyes without a flinch, her voice easy and natural. "We came to invite you down for dinner, Mr. Murphy. It'd be rude to keep everyone waiting, don't you think?"

"Out."

Adrian's voice was low but absolute, sending Tessa scrambling backward. She grabbed Anika's arm, ready to bolt.

"I meant you can leave," Adrian clarified, his gaze locking onto Anika. "But she stays."

Anika's heart nearly stopped.

It was him.

"Relax, Adrian can't really do anything to me," Anika whispered to Tessa as they stood outside the door.

"If he tries anything, just give him a piece of your mind. Don't let him get away with it," Tessa murmured back, then slipped away fast, pulling the door shut behind her.

Anika was alone with Adrian Murphy, seated in his wheelchair. She had a damn good idea why he wanted to talk; it had to be about what went down the night before. She decided to take the lead and steer this thing.

"About last night, yeah, I made the first move, but you didn't exactly stop me either. We're both adults, not the type to overthink crap. How about we just move on and never talk about it again?" Anika said, her voice smooth as silk.

Adrian's eyes glinted with something unreadable. Was she seriously trying to dodge this?

"So, what you're saying is, you have no intention of taking responsibility?" Adrian asked, his tone calm but cutting.

Responsibility? For *him*? How would that even work? He was Evan's uncle, and Anika had zero plans to turn into her ex's aunt. Besides, the alcohol had messed with her judgment last night.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Tessa hadn't really left. She had her ear flat against the door, stressing that Adrian might be giving Anika a hard time. But it was way too quiet in there.

What the hell was Adrian playing at?

Not about to leave Anika hanging, Tessa bolted downstairs and dragged her brother Evan up to the second floor.

"Evan, you gotta help Anika. She's in there with Adrian and hasn't come out yet. I know you two broke up, but you can't just leave her to fend for herself!" Tessa rushed out in one breath.

Evan's brows knitted up with worry. Was Anika deliberately going after Adrian to get back at him? Trying to climb the social ladder and turn into his aunt out of spite? If that's her game, she's playing with fire; Adrian had zero interest in women, especially after his accident.

Pushing the doubts aside, Evan yanked the door open.

Inside, Adrian sat calm as ever in his wheelchair, and Anika was standing in front of him, looking completely unfazed. Evan rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Adrian isn't someone you should mess with. If you've got a problem with me, bring it to me straight. Now let's go."

Anika blinked. Had Evan lost his damn mind? How had she never noticed his self-centered side before?

She shook off his grip. "I don't need you butting into my business."

"It's not like I want to. If Tessa hadn't dragged me up here, I wouldn't have bothered. Leave the Murphy estate. Adrian's not interested in someone like you. Let's go!" Evan reached out again, trying to steer her away.

Anika couldn't help but laugh. *Someone like me?* So this was how he talked about an ex-girlfriend, trash-talking her after the breakup? She was so done with him. Turning toward Adrian, she made a snap decision.

"Didn't you say I should take responsibility? Fine. Let's get married," Anika declared, her resolve locking into place.

She hadn't planned on saying yes at first, but now her mind was made up. If she stayed, she'd become Evan's aunt—a thought that cracked her up. Plus, she needed protection from her family's control, and the man in the wheelchair seemed to need a wife for his own reasons.

Evan sneered, his gaze flicking toward Adrian with poorly concealed condescension. "Anika, have you completely lost your mind? Asking Adrian to marry you? Look at him! With his physical condition, he can't even give you a real, functional marriage. Don't humiliate yourself just to spite me."

Adrian remained motionless in his wheelchair, but the temperature in the study plummeted to absolute zero. A slow, lethal smirk touched his lips.

"My 'condition'?" Adrian’s voice was smooth as velvet, dripping with chilling authority. He raised his dark, commanding eyes to Evan. "Whether I can satisfy my wife behind closed doors is something only Anika has the privilege to know. And believe me, nephew—she has zero complaints."

Anika nearly choked on her own breath, heat rushing furiously up her neck as memories of the hotel bed flashed behind her eyes.

"Agreed," Adrian continued, looking directly at Anika. "We'll get married."

Evan froze as if struck by lightning. "Are you serious?! She's only twenty, and you're nearing thirty!"

Anika quickly composed herself, stepping behind Adrian's wheelchair and resting her hand possessively on his broad shoulder. "That's right, Evan. You’d better get used to addressing me with respect. Shouldn't we give him a little Thanksgiving allowance, darling?"

Adrian calmly handed her his matte-black wallet. Anika pulled out several crisp hundred-dollar bills and shoved them into Evan's frozen hand. "From Adrian and me. Treat yourself."

Evan stared at the crumpled bills, trembling with humiliation. "Anika, you—"

"Show your aunt some respect," Adrian cut in, his voice dropping like an iron gavel.

Evan clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, then spun on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Back in the room, Anika and Adrian signed a marriage agreement. To make it legal, she'd need to swing by her place to grab a few documents, but that could wait.

"I'm worried about how your family might react. Let's keep this between us for now and drop the news when the time's right," Anika suggested.

"That's fine," Adrian agreed without missing a beat. He had no problem making sure Tessa and Evan kept their mouths shut.

"So why do you want to marry me?" Anika ventured to ask. Her gut said this wasn't just about taking responsibility. "I've heard things about you before. You probably just need a wife for show, right?"

Adrian stayed silent. Couldn't it be that he genuinely liked her?

"I think I get it," Anika read the subtle look in Adrian's eyes. "We've got different goals but the same ending. Sounds perfect to me. Here's to a kick-ass partnership, Mr. Murphy." She extended her hand, her smile brighter than she'd ever felt.

After the meal, Tessa yanked Anika into the garden.

"You're not joking, are you? You're really gonna be with Adrian?" Tessa was still struggling to wrap her head around it.

"We've already signed the marriage agreement. I guess that makes me your aunt. Wanna try calling me that?" Anika teased, lifting Tessa's chin and loving her flustered reaction.

"But why?" Tessa asked, searching her face for answers.

"Last night, at the hotel—it was Adrian," Anika confessed.

*What?*

Tessa's head was spinning.

Her best friend had been with Adrian? No, wait—her friend made the first move? But Adrian wasn't supposed to be able to...

"Are you absolutely sure it was Adrian? Could you have mixed things up?" Tessa pressed, needing clarity.

Anika nodded. "Even drunk, I know who's who. And it was Adrian who suggested I take responsibility."

Tessa stood speechless, her brain short-circuiting over Adrian's intentions.