Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 68: Meeting His Family

Zephany’s mouth opened slightly. "Hello, Ma’am."

Christy stepped closer with a curious smile. "So... you’re the mysterious Zephany."

Kendrick cleared his throat, almost too formally. "Mom, this is Zephany. Zephany, this is my mom."

Christy stared at Zephany for a moment longer than expected. Just as Zephany began to worry she was being silently judged, Christy broke into a warm smile. "Welcome to the family, dear."

Zephany blinked, stunned. Before she could even respond properly, Christy reached out and took both of her hands in hers.

"You’re prettier than the photos," she added.

Zephany swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. "Thank you," she whispered.

They were ushered inside like guests of honor.

The house smelled sweet—something syrupy, baked with care. A cake maybe, or perhaps a pot of tea steeping. Zephany didn’t know what comfort smelled like until now, and yet here it was, wrapping around her.

As she stepped inside and sat down beside Kendrick on a soft, slightly worn couch that clearly held a thousand memories, her nerves still fluttered, but something about the way Kendrick kept glancing at her, like checking if she was okay, made her feel a little less anxious.

Then came the sound of footsteps and a voice that didn’t bother with subtlety.

"So this is the one who tricked my brother into marrying her?"

Zephany turned, startled. A young woman with straight, shoulder-length hair, bold brows, and the same eyes as Kendrick’s mom stood in the doorway, one hand on her hip.

Kendrick sighed. "Levy. Don’t start."

Levy ignored him and took two steps closer to Zephany, arms crossed, inspecting her like a painting at a museum.

Zephany sat up straighter.

After what felt like a minute, Levy broke into a grin. "Hmph. She’s too beautiful for you."

Kendrick rolled his eyes. "Thanks. Really."

Levy walked right up to Zephany and tugged her arm playfully. "Sister, if this guy ever treats you badly, just let me know. I’ll beat him for you. And I’m serious."

Zephany’s lips parted in surprise. "You will?"

"No hesitation," Levy said with a wink.

Zephany didn’t know what she expected coming here—certainly not this. Not warmth. Not humor. Not kindness wrapped in teasing. She had imagined being grilled, maybe judged, maybe politely tolerated. But not welcomed.

She smiled softly. "Thank you... That means a lot."

"Anytime," Levy said as she plopped down next to her. "So. I need details. Where did you meet? Why did he not tell anyone about you? Did he hide you in a cave?"

"Levy—" Kendrick groaned.

Christy chuckled as she returned from the kitchen, holding a tray of tea and small pastries. "Let the poor girl breathe first. You’ll scare her."

"I’m just being friendly," Levy said, not sounding the least bit sorry.

Zephany looked between them and smiled. It had been so long since she’d seen a family joke and laugh like this. Her own home was filled with more silence than chatter, with Reynold rarely around and their shared moments too few and far between.

Kendrick gently nudged her hand under the table, just a small touch, almost like he knew exactly what she needed in that moment.

Lunch was served not long after. Christy insisted they all eat in the dining room. The table was full—not just of food but of energy, love, and memories. There was chicken adobo, a vibrant serving of pinakbet, freshly steamed rice, and a hearty bowl of sinigang na baboy. And that unmistakable smell from earlier—a caramel apple cake, still cooling on the counter.

Zephany couldn’t remember the last time she ate a meal with people who genuinely laughed this much.

"So, Zephany," Christy said as she poured her tea. "What do you do again?"

Zephany hesitated, her cover role surfacing immediately. "I’m a journalist. Mostly features and interviews. I’m still learning."

"A journalist? That sounds fascinating."

"She trips over her own recorder sometimes," Kendrick added, grinning.

He couldn’t help but remember the scene from just yesterday. He had been on a video call with his sister, Levy, who was asking what time they would be coming home. Zephany had been in the living room, fiddling with her recorder, testing out the video feature. Just as Levy asked her usual barrage of questions, Zephany, focused and pacing, tripped right over the cord and crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

Zephany shot him a playful glare. "Only twice."

"That we know of," Levy chimed in with a teasing grin.

Zephany laughed, a real one this time. "Okay, okay. I’m clumsy. I get it."

Though honestly, she wasn’t. She just didn’t understand how Kendrick could always catch her off guard and make her lose focus so easily.

"You’re adorable, that’s what you are," Christy said kindly. "And brave, marrying my son without meeting his mother first."

Everyone laughed, even Kendrick.

They talked more over dinner. The more she learned about them, the more Zephany couldn’t stop smiling.

At some point, Levy nudged her and whispered, "You know he still hates cucumbers, right?"

Zephany raised her brows. "Seriously?"

Kendrick, hearing them, groaned. "I can hear you both."

"Good!" Levy said with a grin. "Zephany should know what she’s dealing with."

Zephany leaned closer. "That explains why he picked them out of the salad the other day."

"See? Already paying attention," Levy teased.

Christy wiped her hands and stood. "Who wants dessert?"

"Me!" Levy raised her hand.

"Not if I get there first," Kendrick challenged.

Zephany watched the playful exchange between siblings, her heart swelling in ways she didn’t expect.

And that’s when it hit her.

A lump in her throat. Her eyes blurred.

She blinked rapidly, looking down at her plate.

Kendrick, ever observant, noticed first. "Hey... you okay?"

Zephany nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. Sorry. Just..."

Christy returned with the cake, setting it down with a proud smile. "What’s wrong, dear? Are you allergic?"

Zephany shook her head, tears escaping now. She reached up to wipe them, embarrassed. "No, it’s not the food. I just... this is all really nice."

She tried to compose herself. "It’s been a long time since I felt this. A home like this. People like you."

There was a silence.

Then Christy pulled her gently into a side hug. "Well, you’ve got us now."

Levy passed her a tissue. "Okay, but I still get the bigger slice of cake."

Zephany laughed through her tears.

And in that moment, even if she didn’t know what the future held or how long this would last, it didn’t matter.

Because this—this was real.