Mallory stood in the dimly lit kitchen, her blonde hair tied in a loose braid, the air filled with the savory aroma of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise tense atmosphere. She glanced nervously at the clock, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the silverware for the third time. Having no idea whether tonight would be perfect, she wiped the sweat off of her face.
Her mother, with a perpetual look of disapproval etched on her face, hovered nearby, occasionally casting critical glances at Mallory's handiwork. "Mallory, are you sure you want to eat that?" her mother sneered, eyeing the small piece of bread Mallory had nibbled on while cooking. "You know, you really can't afford the extra calories."
Mallory's heart sank, but she bit her tongue. "I'm fine, Mom. It was just a taste."
Her younger sister, Eliza, sauntered in, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Wow, Mallory, I didn't know you could actually follow a recipe," she teased. "Maybe if you spent as much time on your schoolwork as you do on cooking, you wouldn't be such a disappointment."
Mallory's chest tightened, but she forced a smile. "Thanks, Eliza. Always so supportive." Her mother had never said anything to Eliza, she was the perfect princess who everyone preferred.
Despite the oppressive tradition that dictated that women should cook, Mallory found solace in the kitchen. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the soothing simmer of sauces offered a brief escape from the constant scrutiny. She had always been forced to cook yet found solace in the kitchen when she couldn't feel it elsewhere.
Tonight, however, was different. Tonight, they were hosting her future in-laws and her fiancé, an arrangement she had initially dreaded but had come to accept.
As the doorbell rang, Mallory's heart skipped a beat. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron, trying to steady her nerves. Her fiancé, Noah, was the epitome of kindness and understanding, a stark contrast to the constant criticism she faced at home. His family, too, had always treated her with warmth and respect, making her feel like she belonged.
Mallory's mother straightened up, a forced smile plastered on her face. "Remember, Mallory, everything needs to be perfect tonight. We don't want them to think you're not good enough."
She glanced toward her mother and nodded, her nerves bubbling inside her like a storm through a desert.
Taking a deep breath, Mallory opened the door to greet her guests, her anxiety momentarily forgotten as Noah's warm smile met hers. "Good evening, Mallory," he said softly, his blue eyes filled with genuine affection as he handed her the flower bouquet that he and his family had brought. "Here, this is for you."
"Thank you, Noah," she replied, taking the flowers gently, her voice steadier than she felt. "Please, come in. Dinner is ready."
She placed the beautiful flowers inside a periwinkle glass jar that sat atop her refrigerator.
The dining room buzzed with the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversation. The table, laden with an assortment of dishes, was a testament to Mallory's hard work. She sat quietly, trying to focus on her food, but her nerves made it hard to swallow.
"Everything tastes wonderful, Mallory," said Noah's mother, her eyes sparkling with genuine warmth. "You've outdone yourself. This chicken is absolutely divine."
Mallory blushed, offering a small smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Dawson. I'm glad you like it."
Eliza, sitting across from her, smirked. "Yeah, it's impressive she didn't burn it this time. Remember that time you almost set the kitchen on fire, Mal?"
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𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞|𝟏𝟖+
Romance❝𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚎𝚝❞ •••• Dive into short erotic love stories that will get your heart singing. One-shots, two-shots and series will be posted here. 𝟏𝟖+ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕...