Olivia

Finding myself in the kitchen at 6 o'clock a day after my arrival at Logan's family house is the last thing I expected to happen to me. My sleep from last night to morning was like a one hour nap.

I couldn't help but feel a bit confused. The maid had said my attention was needed at the kitchen, but now it seemed like there was no one around. I glanced at the clock on the wall, confirming that it was indeed 6 o'clock in the morning. It was still early, and I wondered why I had been called to the kitchen at this time.

Feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I decided to explore the kitchen a bit more. Perhaps someone would show up soon and shed some light on why I was summoned here. As I walked around, I noticed the neatly arranged pots and pans, the gleaming countertops, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air. It was a well-maintained and organized kitchen, reflecting the grandeur of the mansion.

I took a seat at the island in the center of the kitchen, hoping that someone would come in soon. The silence was unnerving, and my mind began to wander. What could be so urgent that required my presence here? Was there some task or responsibility assigned to me? Questions swirled in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty.

Just as I was starting to wonder if I had misunderstood the maid's message, the sound of footsteps approached the kitchen. I turned my head to see one of the women from yesterday, her gaze fixed on me. "Um... Good morning," I stammered, trying to maintain my composure.

She assessed me from head to toe, her eyes lingering on my abdomen. Confusion washed over me as I wondered why she was looking at me like that. "You're pregnant," she stated matter-of-factly. My heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down my spine as her words sank in.

I instinctively held onto the counter to steady myself. "Sorry?... I don't understand," I managed to croak, my voice coming out hoarse with disbelief.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she walked closer to me. "The moment you stepped into the house, I noticed. And no, I'm not a witch. I'm a doctor. It was easy to guess. Let's say I have that ability," she explained, her tone filled with a hint of amusement.

My mouth hung open in shock. I struggled to find words as a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirled within me. How could she have known?

As I tried to regain my composure, she continued, "But that's not why I called you out here." Her words piqued my curiosity, diverting my attention from the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind.

She extended her hand towards. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Amelia, the first and eldest daughter-in-law of the family. I'm married to Logan's eldest brother, Scott." Her voice carried a sense of pride and authority, making it clear that she held a respected position within the family.

I hesitantly shook her hand, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the situation. "Nice to meet you, Amelia. I'm Olivia," I replied, my voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.

Amelia nodded, her gaze searching mine. "Olivia, I can see that you're going through a lot right now. From what Logan told us, you're here for an internship. I know it's not my place to interrogate you on the child you're carrying but that would not change the rules we have in this house"

My brows furrowed in confusion as Amelia mentioned the existence of rules in the house. "Rules?" I repeated, seeking clarification.

Amelia's gaze remained steady as she nodded. "Yes, Olivia. There are certain rules that we follow in this house. And as the eldest daughter-in-law of the family, it's my duty to explain them to you."

Curiosity and a sense of apprehension filled my mind. I wondered what these rules entailed and how they would affect me. I wasn't technically a member of the family, so I couldn't help but feel a slight unease at the prospect of having to adhere to their traditions.

Amelia took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Firstly, it is a tradition in this house that every member eats together. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we gather as a family. Additionally, the women of the house are in charge of cooking all the meals."

Her words struck me, and I couldn't help but interject. "But I'm not part of the family," I stated, a tinge of uncertainty in my voice.

Amelia smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. "I understand that, Olivia. However, as long as you're living under the Nero mansion's roof, you are considered part of the household. Therefore, it is expected that you abide by these rules."

I took a moment to absorb her words, realizing that living in this house meant adhering to their customs and traditions. It was a reminder that I was no longer living in a world solely governed by my own choices.

Amelia continued, moving on to the second rule. "Another rule we have is that no woman stays out past 10 PM. It doesn't matter what holds you up; you should be back at the mansion before that time. I hope you understand the importance of abiding by these rules."

As Amelia spoke, her tone conveyed a sense of concern, almost like a protective figure guiding me. Her mention of getting carried away by fake promises struck a chord within me, reminding me of the choices I had made and the consequences I now faced.

With a nod, I replied, "Thank you, Amelia, for explaining the rules to me"

Amelia's smile widened, a sense of approval evident in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that, Olivia. We value unity and tradition in this house, and I believe that together we can create a harmonious environment."

As I sat alone in my room, the events of the breakfast replayed in my mind. The atmosphere at the dining table had been tense, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of being scrutinized. Amelia's constant glances in my direction only heightened my unease. It seemed that my presence in the house had disrupted the usual dynamics, and no one seemed particularly welcoming.

Logan seemed distant during the meal. His silence spoke volumes, and I couldn't help but wonder if my decision to be with him and enter into his world was a mistake. Had I rushed into this without fully considering the consequences? Was I truly ready to bear the weight of responsibility that came with it?

As I pondered these questions, doubts crept into my mind. The unfamiliarity of the house and the strained interactions with the family members left me feeling out of place.

As the day progressed, I found myself in the kitchen once again, tasked with cutting onions while Amelia and Sarah engaged in a discussion. A sense of bitterness settled in the pit of my stomach, mingling with the worry that had been gnawing at me since Amelia mentioned my pregnancy. How would we navigate the situation when my baby bump began to show? What would the family say? And most importantly, would Logan reveal the truth to them before it became evident?

Lost in my thoughts, I was abruptly snapped out of my trance by Sarah's high-pitched voice. "Hey, watch what you're doing"

Startled, I apologized, my words muffled and tinged with embarrassment. "I'm sorry" I refocused my attention on the task at hand, trying to silence the whirlwind of concerns swirling within me.

Dinner arrived, just as quiet and isolating as breakfast and lunch had been. Logan was absent during lunch probably at the office, leaving me to eat alone with my own thoughts as my companions. But then he joined dinner. As the meal drew to a close and Logan excused himself, I felt a strong urge to talk to him. I called out his name as he approached his room, hoping to share my feelings and fears with him.

He paused, his brows furrowing, as if he hadn't anticipated my approach. I mustered up the courage to speak, my voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Logan, can we talk for a moment?"

A sharp breath escaped him, and weariness lined his face. He hesitated before responding, "Olivia, I'm really tired right now. Can we discuss this tomorrow?"

Taken aback by his response, I quickly masked my surprise, not wanting to burden him further. With a forced calmness. "I won't take up much of your time. I just wanted to let you know that Amelia is aware of my pregnancy."

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and retreated to my room. The weight of uncertainty and unanswered questions lingered in the air, but I couldn't force him to engage in a conversation when he was clearly exhausted.

In the solitude of my room, I allowed myself to feel a mix of emotions—disappointment, worry, and a lingering sense of loneliness. It seemed that the distance between us was growing, and I couldn't help but question the choices I had made. Had I rushed into this relationship without fully considering the consequences? Was I truly ready to face the challenges and judgments that awaited us?