Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 83: Morning with the Montclair

[159 Days Left to Live]

As soon as the car came to a slow halt in front of the Montclair residence, Zephany’s heart skipped. Her hand instinctively went to her lap, smoothing the soft fabric of her long beige skirt even though there were no visible creases. The house loomed warm and elegant under the soft morning light, its windows open and welcoming, a faint scent of steaming hot chocolate escaping into the air.

Kendrick stepped out first, walking around to open her door like he always did whenever they were in public.

Zephany looked up at him the moment she stepped out. "Kendrick..." she said in a soft voice, tugging lightly at his sleeve.

He glanced down. "Hmm?"

She held his gaze, nervous. "Is it really okay that we came this early?"

"It’s not early. Mom’s probably been waiting since dawn." He smirked faintly. "She was already texting me at seven."

Zephany bit her lip. "I just don’t want to be a bother. Again."

"You’re not. If anything," Kendrick said, glancing at the door just as it opened, "you’re her favorite now."

Just then, Christy stood in the doorway, her expression brightening the moment her eyes landed on the pair of them.

"There you are!" she called, waving them in. "You two are right on time!"

"Good morning, Ma’am," Zephany greeted politely with a slight bow, her voice as gentle as her smile.

Though Christy had already told her yesterday to call her Mom, she still felt shy now that they were face to face and not just talking over the phone.

"Oh, don’t be so formal with me, dear," Christy said, stepping forward and pulling her into a warm hug. "You’re family now. Just ’Mom’ is fine."

Zephany stiffened for a second, startled by the warmth, but she returned the hug slowly. "Thank you... Mom." Her voice cracked just a bit at the end.

Christy beamed as she pulled away. "There. That’s much better. Now come inside, both of you."

As they stepped into the cool, homey interior of the house, footsteps pounded from nearby. Levy appeared in front of them, her hair tied in a messy ponytail, wearing a casual oversized shirt and shorts.

"Kendrick! Wow, I almost forgot you existed," Levy said with exaggerated sarcasm before looking past him and lighting up. "But good morning, my beautiful sister!"

Zephany blinked, then laughed softly, the way someone laughs when they’re caught off guard.

"Good morning, Levy," she replied shyly, smiling more brightly now.

Levy came bouncing down the stairs and wrapped her arms around Zephany, ignoring Kendrick entirely.

Kendrick rolled his eyes. "I’m standing right here."

"Yeah, yeah," Levy replied without looking at him, then noticed the two small gift bags Zephany was holding. "Wait, what’s this?"

Zephany quickly handed one to her and another to Christy. "I... I just thought I should bring something. I felt bad the last time we visited. I didn’t bring anything and Kendrick told me it was okay, but I thought... this time, maybe I should."

Christy frowned, though it was more affectionate than annoyed. "Oh, sweet girl, you didn’t need to do that."

"Yeah," Levy agreed, looking into the bag curiously. "You’re already family. What else do you need to bring besides your lovely self and Kendrick’s sour attitude?"

Kendrick scoffed. "I don’t have a sour attitude."

Zephany giggled nervously. "Still, I wanted to. It’s nothing much. Just something I thought you’d like."

Christy opened her bag and gasped softly. Inside was a carefully wrapped jar of handmade strawberry jam and a delicate embroidered kitchen towel with her name stitched in light gold. "Oh, Zephany... this is beautiful. You made this?"

"I did the embroidery, yes," she admitted shyly.

Levy opened her gift and pulled out a paperback novel with a handwritten note inside the front cover. "This is that book I was ranting about last time! You actually remembered?"

Zephany nodded. "You said you couldn’t find a copy anywhere, so I ordered one from a small store I know."

"Okay, you’re the best sister-in-law ever." Levy threw her arms around Zephany again. "Seriously. Why did Kendrick get lucky with you?"

Zephany flushed, not knowing how to respond.

The three women stood together, arms wrapped around one another in a comfortable huddle, talking and laughing.

Kendrick stood nearby, arms crossed, looking almost left out. Almost. A tiny smile tugged at his lips as he watched them.

At least, he thought, I don’t have to worry about them getting along.

Still...

Kendrick cleared his throat pointedly.

All three women turned to him at once.

"Oh right, you’re here," Levy said, feigning surprise.

Christy chuckled. "Sorry, son. These two are just too lovely to ignore."

Zephany covered her mouth, laughing quietly. "Sorry, Kendrick."

He pretended to sulk as the women laughed at him.

"Alright, alright," Christy said, clapping her hands. "Everyone, take a seat. I’ll finish setting the table. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Let me help you, Mom," Zephany offered instantly, taking a step toward the kitchen.

But Levy gently grabbed her wrist. "Nope. You’re the guest-slash-precious-daughter-in-law today. Sit down and enjoy. I’ll help Mom."

"Are you sure?"

"Sit, woman. Or I’ll drag you to the chair myself," Levy said with a teasing grin.

With a sheepish nod, Zephany obeyed, lowering herself into one of the dining chairs. Kendrick sat beside her, stretching slightly as he glanced around the warm dining room.

The aroma of grilled fish, eggs, and freshly baked bread drifted in from the kitchen. It reminded Zephany of weekend mornings when her own mom used to cook.

"You have work today?" Kendrick asked, his voice breaking the silence between them.

Zephany turned to him. "No. I’m on leave today."

He raised an eyebrow. "You didn’t mention it."

She looked down at her hands, fiddling with her fingers. "Your mom invited us. There’s no way I’d say no."

"You didn’t have to take a day off just for that."

"I would’ve skipped work anyway." Her voice softened. "After our first visit, I just... I wanted to spend time with her again."

Kendrick studied her quietly. Her gaze was fixed on the table, but there was something distant in her eyes.

"She reminds me of something I always wished for," Zephany continued in a whisper. "A mother who... who smiles like that. Talks like that."

He didn’t interrupt.

Zephany lifted her gaze slowly. "And I know this contract will end eventually, but... I wish she’d still be my mom even after that."

The weight of her words sank into the quiet between them. Kendrick felt his chest tighten, but he didn’t know why.

Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was how easily she’d fit into the very life he used to dream of building.

But that dream wasn’t real. Not yet.

Still, he reached out and gently tapped her hand, his touch light and warm. "She already sees you that way."

Zephany looked up at him, her lips parting slightly. There was something about Kendrick’s eyes—soft yet unreadable—that always made her pause.

Before either of them could say anything more, Levy appeared at the doorway balancing a tray of glasses, followed by Christy carrying a platter of steaming garlic rice and eggs.

"Alright, breakfast is served!" Levy announced.

Christy smiled brightly. "Let’s eat. I hope you’re hungry, Zephany."

She stood up quickly. "Yes, I am! It smells so good."

"Of course it does," Levy said smugly. "Mom and I teamed up this time."

As the plates were passed around and the conversation flowed easily, Zephany allowed herself to relax.

For just a morning, she forgot the ticking clock.

For now, she was just Zephany—the soft-spoken wife who was beginning to feel like part of a family.

And Kendrick, though still mostly silent, watched her with a look that hovered somewhere between admiration and confusion.

Because even he had to admit—this felt a little too real.

A little too good.

And yet, neither of them knew the truth about the other.

Not yet.