CHAPTER 237: A TABLE FOR TWO FAMILIES [V]

The guests, sensing the shift, began to rise. The earlier lightness had evaporated, replaced by a charged respect, and for some, a grudging acceptance.

The goodbyes were a strained affair, punctuated by forced smiles and tight nods. My father, standing beside Leo, gave me a look of quiet admiration, a silent acknowledgment of my earlier defiance. Leo simply squeezed my arm, a fierce look of pride in his eyes. I know they are dying to talk once we are in the car.

After collecting our coats, we stepped out to the front of the five-star Michelin restaurant, where the driver was already waiting, door open.

Elise had followed Adrien to the car, her presence as graceful as ever, thanked my father as they chatted and laughed and shook hands and she air kissed both Dad’s and Leo’s cheeks.

She then turned to me

Elise offered a genuine hug, her voice a warm whisper against my ear, "Welcome to the family, dear. You were wonderful."

"I do apologize for my family’s behavior," she said, her gaze sweeping over my father, Leo, and finally settling on me, a sincere regret in her eyes. "My husband can be... overly traditional. And His brother, well, his brother simply enjoys chaos. Yvonne attempts to emulate that chaos with less grace." She offered a wry, almost conspiratorial smile. "But please, don’t let their theatrics overshadow the joy of this moment. Adrien has found you, and that is what truly matters."

My father, ever the gentleman, waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, Elise. Every family has its... quirks. And you were absolutely masterful in handling them." He squeezed my shoulder, a silent message of pride. Leo nodded vehemently.

Elise chuckled, a genuine, warm sound. "Thank you, Miller. It means a great deal. And Leo, my dear, thank you for your... spirited defense of Isabella. You’re a good brother." Leo, blushing slightly, just offered a shy smile.

With a final, lingering hug for me and a quick kiss to my cheek, Elise stepped back.

Adrien turned to me then. "You surprised them. You surprised me, a little."

"Did I?" I teased lightly. "I thought you knew I had a steady hand for untangling webs."

He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through me. "Indeed. And a sharp tongue for those who seek to create them." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a private whisper. "My father is not accustomed to being challenged by someone that isn’t me, least of all by a new member of the family. You have made an impression, Isabella, and not the kind he expected."

Then he kissed me.

"Ewww!" Leo’s voice cut through the air, breaking the romantic spell with the bluntness only a younger brother could muster. He scrunched up his face, feigning disgust. "Get a room, you two! We’re literally on a public sidewalk!"

I pulled away from Adrien, a flush rising to my cheeks, but a smile played on my lips. "Leo!" I laughed, playfully swatting his arm.

Adrien, entirely unperturbed, simply gave Leo a cool, appraising look. "Some things are worth publicly acknowledging, brother-in-law," he said, a hint of his earlier steel in his tone, though softened by amusement. He then turned back to me, his gaze warm and possessive. "Ready?"

I nodded, still a little breathless from the kiss and the whirlwind of the evening. My father, who had been watching the exchange with an indulgent smile, clapped Leo on the shoulder. "Come on, son. Let’s give them a minute and then we can get into the car. Adrien’s right, some things are worth acknowledging."

Adrien opened the passenger door of the sleek black sedan his hand brushing my back as he guided me in. He waited until I was settled before closing it with deliberate care. "Call me once you are home. Okay?"

He then inclined his head to father, a silent conversation passing through them.

Our driver slid behind the wheel after dad and Leo entered, and almost instantly two other cars pulled into formation—one ahead, one behind—sealing us in a protective convoy. I didn’t find it necessary though.

The city lights streaked past in blurred ribbons of gold and white. I leaned my head back against the seat, the satin of my dress whispering against the leather as I exhaled slowly. The weight of everything going off my shoulder. One event down.

"Bella."

Leo’s voice was a low hiss near my ear. I jumped, almost knocking heads with him as he craned around the headrest.

"Leo! You scared me half to death!" I whispered, rubbing my temple. "Why would you do that?"

He grinned, shameless. "Because it’s fun. Also—" his eyes flicked toward the car pulling ahead of us "you haven’t apologized to us about lying about Adrien’s true identlty. Also, does this mean you are already his wife when he said you guys are registered? And does this mean you are going to pack all you have and go to his place tomorrow? Are we officially moving into mega-rich, constantly-protected territory now?"

I leveled a glare at Leo, pushing his face back gently with the palm of my hand. "Lower your voice! Do you want the driver to think we’re staging a coup back here?"

Leo retreated slightly, but his eyes were still wide with unspent adrenaline. "This is a serious conversation, Bella! You kept the biggest secret in the history of Walton Empire secrets from us! Dad, are you going to let her get away with this?"

My father, who had been leaning back quietly in the corner, steepled his fingers over his lap and let out a soft sigh that held a hint of amusement. "Isabella." He used the full name, the one that always made me straighten. "Was there a reason you felt you couldn’t tell us?"

I swallowed. "It wasn’t Adrien’s idea," I said quietly. "It was mine. And Aria’s. We... we were worried. About your heart, Dad. About you knowing too much too fast. And If his identity had been known from the beginning, we would never have had a moment of normalcy. Everything would have been orchestrated, vetted, and examined under a microscope.. you wouldn’t be comfortable around him."

Silence. The kind that filled every inch of the car.

Leo blinked, his irritation softening into something like guilt. "You were protecting him?"

"And you," I murmured. "All of you. Adrien didn’t hide. I did."

My father’s shoulders eased a fraction. He still looked stunned, but not angry. "You should have trusted me," he said after a long pause. "I can handle the truth, even when it’s large enough to have its own fleet of security SUVs."

Leo snorted despite himself. "Fleet? More like a small army."

I gave him a sideways look. "Leo."

"What?" He raised his hands. "I’m just saying. My sister marries Gotham’s Bruce Wayne and thinks I won’t notice the motorcade." His grin softened, though, and he reached out, squeezing my shoulder. "I’m still proud of you, you know. Even if you did blindside us."

I exhaled, tension loosening a little. "Thank you," I whispered.

"So... You’re Mrs. Walton already. right?"

"Technically, yes," I confirmed. "I’ll keep my own name professionally, of course, but legally, we are bound."

My father nodded slowly, a deep pride settling in his gaze. "A good move. Smart."

"So, you’re not just engaged," Leo whispered, clearly blown away. "You’re married. That is wild. And once again, does that mean you pack up tomorrow and move into the gilded cage?"

I smiled slightly. "Not tomorrow. I need a couple of days to organize. But yes, the official move-in happens this weekend."

I glanced out the window at the trailing car—the security detail that felt simultaneously absurd and necessary. "And yes, Leo. We are officially in the mega-rich, constantly-protected territory now. Welcome to the convoy life."

Leo let out a loud, whooping laugh but caught himself quickly. He dropped back dramatically onto his seat, running a hand through his hair. "I need a minute. My sister is a secret billionaire’s wife. This is too much."

My father looked at me through the rearview mirror. "Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"That this man — Adrien Walton — truly deserves you. All of you. Because if he doesn’t..." He let the sentence hang, his eyes flicking to the black car ahead of us.

I smiled faintly, the image of Adrien’s steady hand on mine at the table still warm in my memory. "He does," I said softly. "He already has."

"So, when do I get a security detail, too?" Leo asked, instantly bouncing back. "Do I get a designated driver for school now? Can I—?"

"No, Leo," I laughed, cutting him off gently. "You get to remain a normal, annoying brother. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to text my extremely high-profile, legally-bound husband that I haven’t been kidnapped by my security detail yet."

I pulled out my phone, slightly shaking my head at the absurdity of the evening. The silence in the car became comfortable, filled with the hum of the engine and the presence of the two most important men in my life. I unlocked my phone, the screen lighting up to reveal three unread messages from Adrien, sent barely minutes ago:

Husband (22:45):Text me as soon as you are home. I don’t care if it’s five feet.

Husband (22:46):Your brother is still staring at the security cars. Amusing, but slightly concerning.

Husband (22:47):You were magnificent tonight. Truly.