Page 143 of Twisted Truth

“I’m adopted,” Maya says.

“Hmm. Are there more siblings?”

“No, just the two of us.”

“So, you were an only child,” Bethany says to Ella. “Why is that?”

“That’s an incredibly private and inappropriate question,” I say through a sigh. Why is it that old people forget all their fucking manners? What happens?

“Uh, my parents weren’t able to have any more children.”

“Hmm. That’s not good. Do you share their fertility struggles? Is it genetic? We can’t have a Mrs. Langford who can’t bear children.”

“Enough!”I growl with more force this time. “You are being rude and inappropriate.”

God, this is going to be a long dinner.

Fuck me and my mother’s pretentious family.

Ella plasters a fake smile on her face. “I’m so glad you could make it to dinner, Bethany, Asher said he hasn’t seen you in quite some time.”

“Ha! As if not seeing me in quite some time is a bother to him.”

“Of course it is, I do so enjoy a loving family meal.”

Bethany takes a long drink of her wine while giving me asardonic glare to let me know she’s well aware that I’m spouting bullshit. My mother’s aunt is a fiery one.

“You enjoy a loving family meal?What a change of pace. Did you overhaul your entire personality?”

I let out a long breath before replying. “It seems that Ella’s influence is good for me. Domestication is softening my sharper edges.”

Bethany holds up her glass in an amused acquiescence of my little volley. “A good thing, then. The headlines on you, boy. I was even seeing them here across the pond. I’ve called your mother on many occasions asking her what on earth you were thinking and when you were going to settle down. The Langford line has no heir beyond you, Asher. It’s time to remedy that.”

“All in good time, Aunt Bethany,” I say, and now I might be blushing. Again with the talk of children. Ella’s eyes are wide, and Maya looks at Ella with shock written on her face.

Sterling chuckles to himself. “Yes, Asher. When can we expect a little Langford heir? I do hope they get Ella’s looks, though.”

Fuck you, asshole,I mouth to Sterling. He chuckles with mirth.

“The wedding must come first, of course,” Bethany goes on, unaware of the reactions across the table. “None of this walking down the aisle pregnant.” She gives Ella a pointed look. She turns back to Sterling and me. “Your father and mother’s wedding was televised on all the morning news shows. A Langford wedding is a spectacle, to say the least, and the last thing you want is an unexpected pregnancy being a topic of conversation, overshadowing the wedding.”

Ella looks at me with wide eyes.

“You’ll need a premier designer for your dress, of course,” Bethany drones on, still oblivious. “Catherine’s dress was featured in every news and gossip magazine in the country,broadcast across the nation, and even given some news coverage across the world.”

“Yes, well we all know my mother brought her own fame to join the Langford’s when she wed my father. No need to scare her, Aunt Bethany.”

“She may be no Catherine.” I wince at the dig. “But you are Catherine Rothschild’s son and a Langford. The Langfords are the royals of America. So, if she marries you, the wedding must be perfect. And the dress must be perfect.”

“Don’t listen to her,” I whisper in Ella’s ear. “Don’t worry about any of this.”

“Oh, I’m certain Ella’s dress will be spectacular,” Sterling says, nodding seriously along with Aunt Bethany. “I’m sure my mother is already lining up designers.”

I kick him under the table. He smirks, but doesn’t turn his attention away from Aunt Bethany. “And where would you suggest the wedding take place?” he asks her innocently.

I zone out Bethany and her wedding location suggestions and lean close to Ella. I rub my hand over her knee in what I hope is reassurance.

“There is no wedding requirement in the agreement,” I whisper. “Just ignore her and my idiot brother. He’s just goading her to fuck with me.”