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.

At the Powell household, Lorelai Wells had just gotten home and immediately yanked her mom, Rowan Mendez, into her room.

"Mom, Anika's taken refuge at the Murphys'. She's probably roped Tessa Grant into helping her. You've gotta call Anika's mom and get her back here—without access to Anika's account, we can't stream and fill our orders!" Lorelai's real fear was that Anika, staying with the Murphys, might catch Evan Murphy's eye.

"Don't worry, honey. I'll make the call right now." Rowan shut the door and walked to the end of the hall, her voice cold and commanding as she dialed Anika's mother, Myra Knight.

"What's going on with Anika? A little tantrum is one thing, but hiding out at the Murphys'? Is she planning on never coming back to the Powell house? If she keeps this up, I can't promise my judgment won't be clouded when it comes time to arrange her marriage."

Myra felt like the rug had been yanked out from under her. Anika hadn't come back to the Powells'?

"Rest assured, Mrs. Powell. I'll have Anika home by tomorrow. Please continue to look favorably on her marriage prospects for us," Myra pleaded, her voice thick with desperate humility. All she wanted was for her daughter to have a decent life and a grand wedding—even if it meant swallowing her pride.

"It better be that way. And remind Anika that the Powell house doors won't stay open forever. If she keeps running away, we won't be rolling out the welcome mat again. Make sure she hears that."

"Absolutely, absolutely..." Myra nodded over and over.

The call ended, leaving Myra deflated on the couch with a heavy sigh.

**

Over at the Murphy estate, on the second floor of the mansion, Anika and Tessa were sprawled out on a bed together, each cradling a phone. Anika opened her livestream app. Normally, this was when she'd go live, sharing her expertise in voice acting. She never showed her face, but her captivating voice kept fans eagerly awaiting her broadcasts.

"Hey, you okay?" Tessa knew Anika was upset. Even though she claimed she didn't care, Anika deeply valued her supporters' opinions, and the backlash was really getting to her.

"I'm fine," Anika replied, setting her phone aside.

"You sure don't look fine. Lorelai is so shameless, and I can't believe my brother is that clueless! It makes me so mad. I just wanna punch something," Tessa fumed, thinking about how her brother was completely oblivious to Lorelai's manipulations.

Anika just smiled, staying quiet.

"How about blowing off some steam? Hit me, yell at me—whatever you need," Tessa offered.

Anika ruffled Tessa's hair playfully. "When did you turn into such a glutton for punishment? Seriously, I'm good. Let's just go to sleep." Anika lay down, tugging the covers over herself, about to drift off when her phone chimed.

"Not streaming tonight?"

The message was from her top benefactor and long-time mentor on the platform, whose screen name was simply 'M'.

She had always addressed him as 'Mr. M' due to his sophisticated industry insights and composed, mature demeanor. He had a profound understanding of voice acting, clearly an elite veteran in the field.

"Not streaming tonight?" M messaged.

"Not tonight," Anika replied briefly.

"Rough day?" his response popped up almost instantly.

"A bit, but I'll manage. No need to worry about me, Mr. M."

"Get some rest, then. Don't let petty people drain your energy."

"Goodnight, Mr. M," Anika texted back, feeling an unexpected wave of calm wash over her.

Anika was just about to turn over when Tessa's face startled her, peering over the covers with nosy eyes, trying to sneak a look at her messages.

"Go to sleep," Anika grumbled.

Tessa, still wide awake, dug deeper. "That top-spending mentor of yours checking in again?"

"You're reading way too much into it. He just asked about my next stream, and I answered," Anika said.

Tessa wasn't buying it. "I'm telling you, he's into you. Wonder if he's good-looking. From his voice in your streams, he sounds decent and definitely loaded. Why don't you two meet up? There might be a spark."

Anika rolled her eyes, pretending to smack Tessa.

"He's an established professional—who knows how old. Plus, we only talk about voice acting. And FYI, I'm your aunt now. Aren't you worried Adrian will tear into you for pushing me toward other men? I don't mind telling him," Anika teased.

Tessa shrank back instantly. "Don't, please! You know I'm terrified of him. I was just kidding!"

Anika turned away, closing her eyes to finally get some rest.

"But seriously, are you really gonna be with Adrian?" Tessa asked.

"What, is calling me 'aunt' that big a deal?" Anika clearly had her reasons.

"Not at all—it's just that Adrian has a temper. I've literally never seen him smile. Ever. If you can handle him, more power to you. But my brother calling you 'aunt' every day? That's hilarious. If Lorelai marries him, she'll have to call you that too. I'm seriously thrilled for you!" Tessa kept chattering away excitedly.

Anika offered no response.

Tessa was beside herself with curiosity. She'd always found Adrian intimidating, but undeniably hot. The thought of him getting romantically involved with her bestie blew her mind.

Oh my god, oh my god!

Exasperated, Anika picked up her phone and turned on the recorder, aiming it at Tessa. "Why don't you repeat that? I'll make sure Adrian hears it tomorrow."

Tessa clammed up instantly. "Sleep, sleep."