Chapter 5

Charles didn't waste another second and disappeared out of sight. Then came the most dreaded moment of the evening : meeting Carina's in-laws. And specifically , meaning 'him'.

"Carina !" Her eyes went straight to her new mother-in-law, Lyanna . She forced a smile and greeted the lady.

"Come now daughter. Your new family awaits ." Carina gulped at the word 'family'.

Thomas's throat was dry, his heart was pounding in his chest. He felt too warm, sweating even in the cool winter atmosphere. He wasn't prepared to face her. He simply couldn't. Not after what she had done to him.

Lyanna led her new daughter-in-law to her family to meet properly. She was now truly relieved. Her poor excuse of a son was married!

"Lia, here. Come and introduce Carina to all the guests." Cecilia smiled brightly and congratulated Carina. Carina smiled and took her hand. She seemed harmless.

Cecilia indicated towards Nathan and spoke,"This is my little brother. The youngest : Nathan." Nathan simply smirked as Carina greeted him.

Her cousin's words were recalled suddenly,"The youngest brother is cocky and overconfident. He only cares about money and high social status." Carina mentally thanked her cousin for such correct information.

"And this", Cecilia laced her arm around his, "is my husband, Thomas . But youalready know him more than me."

Their eyes fell on each other. They both inhaled sharply at the same time.

"Welcome to the family, 'Mrs.Belle'." Carina was slightly taken aback by the harshness of Thomas's voice, especially by the term he used .

"It's a pleasure, Mr.Ainsworth", she said, voice equally cold. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a butter knife.

Thomas' jaw was clenched, his hands fisted in his pockets, smile tighter than ever. There were so many things he wanted to say. So many reasons he wanted to yell at her. So many accusations he wanted to throw at her. But he couldn't.

He bit his bottom lip as Cecilia took Carina over to the corner of the room. A bitter memory made its way inside Thomas's mind. He wished he had forgotten her, forgotten their relation.