Page 62 of Secret Marriage To My Bosshole

I give her a flat look, though the twitching at the corner of my mouth gives me away. "You know my parents never joke a day in their lives."

"I know." Mrs. Cecilia pulls Cora into a tight hug. "Cora, right? I'm Mrs. Cecilia. I've been taking care of this house since before Griffin was born. You're stunning. I knew Griffin would find a gorgeous woman."

Cora laughs, a nervous quiver in her voice. "Thank you. What was he like when he was young?"

Mrs. Cecilia's eyes twinkle with mischief as the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepen.

"Oh, he was nothing but trouble. He'll claim he was a perfect angel, but he always got into mischief every time my back was turned. His poor nanny had a hell of a time keeping up with him."

Cora smirks as she looks up at me. “So, nothing has changed then.”

I shrug off my jacket and hang it in the hall closet before taking Cora’s coat. “You keep teasing me and see what happens when we get home.”

Cora winks and pokes out her tongue. “Promises, promises.”

Mrs. Cecilia laughs and shakes her head, wiping her hands on her apron. “Oh, to be young and in love again. You better make your way to the formal dining room. Griffin, your parents are waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” I take Cora’s hand and hold it tight. “Ready to walk into the lion’s den?”

Cora squeezes my hand. "Everything is going to be fine. We'll have dinner with them, and then we can go home. If you want to forget that dinner ever happened, we can do that too."

My heart pounds and my blood rushes in my ears. I want them to like her, too, even though I hate that a part of me still craves their approval.

I don't know how to protect her and please them at the same time.

Cora puts on a bright smile, but her gaze flicks back and forth to me. Her lips part slightly as she glances up at the molding on the ceiling and the gold accents on the walls.

She shakes her head and looks at a massive landscape painting of the beach outside.

I kiss her temple, trying to ease the nerves that course through me as we get closer to the dining room.

As we turn down another hall, my heart pounds louder with every step. I take a deep breath as we stop in front of the double doors.

After a moment, I finally let go of her hand to push the doors open.

Dad stands up and smooths down the front of his suit jacket. He puts on a fake grin to draw you in before he strikes.

He makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, and then he goes for the jugular.

Mom tilts her chin upward, her shrewd gaze already assessing Cora. I know this meeting is already headed south when she turns her nose up.

"Mom, Dad, this is my wife, Cora." I force a smile as I put a hand on the small of Cora's back, guiding her to the other side of the table where my parents are seated.

Dad holds out his hand, and Cora shakes it. He squeezes her hand before letting it go.

"Interesting to see that my son married his assistant. I thought he would've had a little more respect for the workplace."

I stand taller, glaring at him. "I've known Cora for years before she became my assistant."

Dad arches an eyebrow, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. His beady glare makes me feel uneasy.

"Son, you'll have to tell the truth about this situation sooner or later."

Mom looks just past Cora before her gaze drops to Cora's stomach. "Should we be asking if there is a baby due?"

The color drains from Cora's face as she smiles at my mother.

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same. I saw those photos of you and that French man on the catamaran," Dad spits.

---