Page 35 of Six Month Wife

My mouth goes dry instantly. I still haven’t decided whether his little announcement was a smart move or a nightmare in the making. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he says, clearing his throat. “It was unexpected that Gunner would make such a deal of it when I told him. It was my way of testing the waters.”

“Um, tiny bit awkward, but we survived.”

“I’m sorry if it caught you off guard. But I think it was overall a good thing. Honestly, I think we should do more than keep up the act. Maybe we should, I don’t know, lean into it more.”

“Lean into it?” I repeat, trying not to sound like I’m already halfway to a panic attack. “You make it sound like we’re building an MLM for fake spouses.”

"Good point. It's so odd, talking about it like this. I don't know. Just thinking if we play it up more, it might be easier if we have to put on the show for Anders, the attorney."

"You might be right. I don't even know how to do that. I talked to my best friend and couldn't bring myself to tell her. It feels like lying."

"I hear you there. I never thought about how it would feel to say such a big lie.”

I sip my coffee while watching him. I can tell there is something else on his mind.

“In other news, speaking of lying, there’s been a new development,” he says, dragging a hand through his hair.

Not good. Nothing that starts with that tone ever is.

“My dad called earlier.”

He says it casually, but something in his face tightens. Something tells me this wasn’t a quick check-in.

"Oh. How did that go?"

He hesitates, then sighs. “He’s coming down to meet my wife.” He gives a dry smile. “He somehow found out about the will and the clause, even though the attorney told me it would be private.”

“Interesting.” I arch a brow. “I guess you didn't want him to know? Are you two close?” I dig while trying not to be too intrusive.

He laughs, but there’s no joy in it. It's more a reflex than humor. Something shifts behind his eyes. This doesn’t feel like a relationship milestone. It feels like a warning.

“That’s a loaded question,” he says. “We’re not close. We stay in touch. Mostly so he can monitor the perimeter. I was hoping we could get through all this without him finding out, but I should have known that was a pipe dream.”

My heart sinks. I certainly don't want to get in the middle of his family drama while maintaining this lie.

“So he's not coming here to meet your wife. It’s about the inheritance.”

“Pretty much,” he says, tension pulling at his jaw. “He’s coming to insert himself. Not maybe. Not eventually. It’s what he does. He’ll find a crack and wedge himself in. Meeting you is part of that reconnaissance, if you will.”

I hesitate. “Does he… know?”

Parker meets my gaze, eyes steady. “That we got married solely for the stipulation in the will?”

I nod.

“No,” he says. “And I want to keep it that way.”

“So we’re playing the part for him, too?”

“Especially for him.” His voice darkens. “If he thinksthere’s even a crack, he’ll wedge it open and turn it into a whole production. And then demand a piece for helping us hold it together.”

I frown. “But why? Why would your father want to sabotage something your uncle wanted you to have? Especially if he doesn’t need the money.”

He touches the back of his neck, a nervous habit he probably doesn’t know he has.

“Because if I succeed without him, he loses control. And Leeland Matthews doesn’t do powerlessness. It’s not about the money—it never is. It’s about making sure I don’t win unless he gets to say how. The money is gravy.”