The penthouse was quiet, the only sounds the distant hum of the city below and the steady rhythm of Theo’s breathing against Mira’s skin. She lay draped over him, her body still humming from the aftershocks of their passion, her fingers tracing idle patterns along his chest.
Theo’s arms were wrapped around her, his fingers playing with the ends of her hair. He pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice low and satisfied. “We should stay like this forever.”
Mira laughed softly, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “I don’t think your board would appreciate that.”
Theo smirked. “Fuck the board.”
She grinned, but before she could respond, the sharp *ding* of the elevator cut through the silence.
Mira stiffened.
Theo’s body went rigid beneath her.
They both knew that sound.
Only a handful of people had access to the penthouse—and none of them would just *drop by* unannounced.
Theo’s jaw tightened. “Stay here.”
Mira didn’t argue. She grabbed the nearest throw blanket, wrapping it around herself as Theo pulled on his discarded slacks, not bothering with a shirt. His muscles were still tense, his expression unreadable as he strode toward the foyer.
Mira followed at a distance, her heart pounding.
The elevator doors slid open.
And there she was.
Elena Vasiliou.
Theo’s mother.
Mira’s breath caught in her throat.
Elena stood tall, regal in a tailored cream pantsuit, her dark hair pulled into a sleek chignon. Her sharp gaze flicked between them, taking in Theo’s bare chest, Mira’s disheveled appearance, the way the blanket barely covered her.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then Elena’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.
“Well,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “This is… *interesting.*”
---
### **The Unspoken Truth**
Theo didn’t flinch. “Mother. What are you doing here?”
Elena stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “I came to see my son. And his *fiancée.*” Her gaze landed on Mira, sharp and assessing. “Though I must say, I didn’t expect to find you both in such… *compromising* positions.”
Mira’s face burned.
Theo’s hand found hers, squeezing reassuringly. “We were celebrating.”
“Mmm.” Elena’s eyes gleamed. “I can see that.”
Mira swallowed hard. She had met Elena before—briefly, at a charity gala—but never like *this.* Never when the woman had just walked in on them post-coital, her son’s cum still dripping between Mira’s thighs.
Elena’s gaze flicked to the couch, where the evidence of their passion was still visible—the rumpled cushions, the discarded clothes, the faint scent of sex lingering in the air.
Mira’s stomach twisted.
*She knows.*
Elena sighed, shaking her head. “Theo, Theo, Theo. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
Theo’s grip on Mira’s hand tightened. “Find out what?”
Elena arched a brow. “That this little *arrangement* of yours wasn’t real.”
The words hung in the air like a guillotine.
Mira’s pulse spiked.
Theo didn’t deny it.
Elena’s smile turned razor-sharp. “Oh, don’t look so surprised. I *know* my son. And I *know* when he’s lying.” She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Mira. “But what I *don’t* know is why you went along with it.”
Mira’s throat went dry.
Theo stepped forward, shielding her slightly. “It’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?” Elena’s voice was cool, measured. “You needed a fiancée to secure the Sterling deal. Mira needed money. A *business transaction.*” She tilted her head. “Am I wrong?”
Mira’s heart pounded so hard she was sure Elena could hear it.
Theo exhaled sharply. “It started that way. But it’s not like that anymore.”
Elena’s gaze flicked between them, studying their expressions. Then, slowly, her lips curved. “No,” she murmured. “I don’t think it is.”
Mira’s breath hitched.
Elena turned to her, her dark eyes unreadable. “Mira. Tell me something.” She paused. “Did you *ever* intend to walk away?”
Mira’s chest tightened.
She could lie.
She could play it safe.
But the way Theo was looking at her—like she was his entire world—made her want to be brave.
“No,” she whispered.
Elena’s smile deepened. “I thought so.”
---
### **The Test**
Theo’s mother moved to the living room, settling onto one of the plush armchairs with the grace of a queen. She crossed her legs, her gaze never leaving them.
“Sit,” she commanded.
Theo and Mira exchanged a glance before obeying, perching on the edge of the couch. Mira clutched the blanket tighter around herself, suddenly hyper-aware of how exposed she felt.
Elena studied them for a long moment before speaking. “I’ll admit, I was *furious* when I first suspected. A fake engagement? Using my son’s reputation as a pawn in some *scheme?*” She shook her head. “I raised him better than that.”
Theo’s jaw clenched. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Wasn’t it?” Elena’s voice was sharp. “You *used* her. You *used* this family’s name to get what you wanted.”
Mira’s stomach twisted. “It wasn’t just him. I agreed to it.”
Elena’s gaze snapped to her. “Oh, I know. And that’s the only reason I’m not dragging my son out of here by his ear.” She leaned forward. “But let’s be clear—this wasn’t some grand romance. It was a *transaction.*”
Theo’s voice was low, dangerous. “It’s not like that anymore.”
Elena ignored him, her focus still on Mira. “You’re a smart girl. Ambitious. I can respect that. But Theo isn’t just some *project* for you to climb the social ladder. He’s my *son.*”
Mira’s throat tightened. “I know.”
“Do you?” Elena’s voice was icy. “Because if this is just some game to you—if you’re playing with his heart for your own gain—then you and I are going to have a *problem.*”
Mira’s hands trembled. “It’s not a game.”
Elena’s gaze bored into her. “Prove it.”
Mira blinked. “What?”
“Prove it,” Elena repeated. “Prove that this isn’t just some *act.* Prove that you actually *care* about my son.”
Theo’s voice was a growl. “Mother—”
Elena held up a hand, silencing him. “This is between me and Mira.”
Mira’s heart pounded. She could feel Theo’s tension beside her, his body coiled like a spring, ready to defend her.
But this wasn’t his fight.
This was *hers.*
She took a deep breath.
And then she let the blanket drop.
Theo’s breath hitched.
Elena’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t look away.
Mira stood, naked, unashamed, her body still marked from Theo’s touch—love bites on her neck, reddened skin from his stubble, the faint bruises on her hips from where his fingers had dug in.
“I don’t need to *prove* anything to you,” Mira said, her voice steady. “But I *will.* Because Theo is worth it.” She turned to him, her gaze softening. “I love him. More than I ever thought possible. And if that’s not enough for you, then that’s your problem, not mine.”
Theo’s eyes burned into hers, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
Elena was silent for a long moment.
Then, slowly, she smiled.
“Well,” she murmured. “I suppose that’s *one* way to prove it.”
---
### **The Blessing**
Theo was on his feet in an instant, pulling Mira against him, his hands cupping her face. “You don’t have to do this,” he growled, his voice low. “She doesn’t get to *demand* anything from you.”
Mira smiled, pressing her forehead to his. “I know. But I *want* to.”
Elena watched them, her expression unreadable.
Then, with a sigh, she stood. “Theo. A word. *Alone.*”
Theo’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, pressing a quick kiss to Mira’s lips before following his mother into the kitchen.
Mira wrapped the blanket back around herself, her heart still racing.
She could hear their voices, low and intense, but couldn’t make out the words.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Elena emerged, her expression softer than before.
Theo followed, his hand finding Mira’s again.
Elena stopped in front of her, her dark eyes searching Mira’s face. “You love him.”
It wasn’t a question.
Mira nodded. “More than anything.”
Elena exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “Good.” She reached out, squeezing Mira’s hand. “Because he loves you too. More than I’ve ever seen him love anyone.”
Mira’s throat tightened.
Elena’s gaze flicked to Theo, then back to Mira. “I won’t pretend I’m *thrilled* about how this started. But I can see that it’s real now.” She paused. “And that’s what matters.”
Theo’s arm slid around Mira’s waist, pulling her against him.
Elena’s lips curved. “Welcome to the family, Mira.”
Mira’s eyes burned.
Theo pressed a kiss to her temple. “Told you she’d come around.”
Elena rolled her eyes. “Don’t get cocky, *theos.*” She turned toward the elevator. “I expect an invitation to the wedding. *A real one.*”
Theo smirked. “You’ll get one.”
Elena stepped into the elevator, then paused, looking back at them. “And Mira?”
“Yes?”
“Next time, *lock the door.*”
The elevator doors slid shut behind her.
Mira burst out laughing.
Theo groaned, burying his face in her neck. “I’m never going to hear the end of this.”
Mira grinned, turning in his arms. “Oh, I don’t know. I think it went *pretty* well.”
Theo’s hands slid down to cup her ass, pulling her flush against him. “You were *incredible.*”
Mira arched a brow. “Even when I was naked?”
Theo’s eyes darkened. “Especially then.”
Mira laughed, but the sound turned into a gasp as Theo lifted her, carrying her back toward the couch.
“Again?” she teased.
Theo’s lips crashed onto hers. “Always.”
And as his hands roamed her body, as his mouth claimed hers, Mira knew one thing for certain.
They had *won.*
And nothing—*nothing*—was going to take that away from them.
---
**End of Chapter 15.**