The Unwanted Wife

I said goodbye to Harper and got into the car beside Maverick, leaving a wide space between us that could fit another person. We didn't talk much during the drive. In fact, we didn't talk at all. Maverick was engrossed in his phone, always busy with work. I looked out the window and admired the city lights at night.

"You look good, by the way," he mumbled so softly, yet I managed to hear it. I turned my gaze towards him, but his eyes remained fixed on his phone screen.

Did he just say I looked good? I think he did.

"Um, thanks," I quietly replied, feeling a blush warm my cheeks. He didn't say anything more, nor did he look at me.

Not long after, we arrived at my in-laws' house. Bennett opened the car door for us, and we both stepped out. Maverick rang the doorbell.

We both exited the car, and Maverick pressed the doorbell.

"You know what to do," he said, not bothering to look at me. I understood what he meant. Once we stepped into the house, we would have to put on a show, pretending to be a loving couple.

The door opened, like the maid, and we entered, heading straight to the living room where my in-laws were already waiting for us.

"About time you guys!" Brooklyn exclaimed as soon as she spotted us. She walked over to us and embraced Maverick. "Oh, I've missed my baby so much," she said, planting a kiss on his cheek.

He groaned and pulled away. "Ugh, Mom, stop it. I'm not a baby."

I quietly laughed, enjoying this side of him when he was around his parents.

Brooklyn then shifted her attention to me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Oh, I've missed my daughter too. How have you been, honey? Did my baby Maverick give you a hard time?" she asked with a big smile. I cherished it when she referred to me as her daughter. She had told me herself that she saw me as her own.

I chuckled. "I've been okay, Mom. And no, he hasn't given me a hard time."

"Good, good. Come on, the food is ready," she said, taking my hand and leading me to the table where the food was set.

I took a seat across from her, with Maverick sitting beside me. Landon sat next to his wife. We began eating. Maverick and Landon delved into a conversation about work, while Brooklyn and I talked about fashion. Soon, our in-laws started discussing our married life, and I hated having to lie to them about our happiness. It pained me every time because they were so loving and kind to me.

At times, Maverick would hold my hand and gently stroke it with his thumb, probably just for show in front of his parents. I still felt a blush creeping up my cheeks whenever he touched me. I took a sip of water as Brooklyn laughed at something Maverick said.

"So, when am I going to have my first grandchild?" Brooklyn abruptly asked, causing me to choke on my water and cough. "Oh dear, are you okay?"

"It's too early to be asking for a grandchild, darling," Landon interjected.

A hand was placed on my back, rubbing it gently. It was Maverick. "Babe, are you okay?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice that caught me off guard.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin. "I'm fine, I'm so sorry. That was so rude of me."

"It's okay, honey. Maybe it's too early for me to bring up that topic," Brooklyn said, referring to the "baby" discussion.

I glanced at Maverick and could tell that he too felt uneasy about the topic. The idea of having a baby had never crossed our minds. We rarely even talked or connected, let alone discussed starting a family.

"Mom, honestly, we haven't discussed that. Abi and I are still getting to know each other. It's only been, what, six months?" Maverick explained, holding my hand for support.

"It's true, Mom. We want to take things slow before starting a larger family," I chimed in.

Brooklyn sighed and then smiled. "Okay, take your time, babies. But don't take too long! I'm not getting any younger, you know."

I forced a smile, feeling the weight of sadness. "We'll try, Mom."

This situation was so messed up. Brooklyn wanted a grandchild, but Maverick and I were barely getting along. I wasn't even sure if he desired that kind of intimacy with me, and I had my doubts as well. I hoped she would forget about the topic and not bring it up again anytime soon.