Possessive InLove

Chapter 35: Trial by Fire

Chapter 35: Trial by Fire

Rena's POV

As we walked through the iron gates and toward the mansion, my heart pounded louder with every step. Filip's hand was a comforting weight in mine, but the tension in the air was undeniable. The grand estate loomed ahead, a fortress of power and secrets, much like the family that lived inside. I could feel the weight of it all pressing down on me, but I wasn't going to let it show. Not now.

Filip glanced over at me, his expression a mix of reassurance and warning. "Stay close," he whispered. "No matter what happens, remember, I'm right here with you."

I nodded, my nerves humming, but I was determined to face this head-on. I loved Filip, and if being with him meant facing his family's scrutiny, I would meet that challenge.

As we stepped through the heavy front doors, the atmosphere shifted. The air inside the mansion was cool and thick with silence, broken only by the soft hum of distant voices. The house was stunning-marble floors, high ceilings, and art pieces that screamed old money and power. But it wasn't the grandeur that unnerved me; it was the feeling of being watched, of eyes assessing every move I made.

Filip led me into a large sitting room where several people were already gathered. His family. The tension in the room was palpable the moment we entered. All eyes turned toward us, some curious, others cold and calculating.

At the center of it all sat an older man, Filip's father, dressed sharply in a dark suit. His presence dominated the room, and the look he gave me was piercing, as if he could see through me with just one glance. Next to him sat a woman-Filip's mother, I assumed-her posture regal, her eyes cool and appraising.

"Father, Mother," Filip began, his voice respectful but firm, "this is Rena."

I swallowed, standing a little straighter as Filip's father's gaze settled on me. The room felt colder under his scrutiny, but I refused to let it show. I knew this was a test, and I wasn't about to fail.

"Rena," Filip's father said slowly, his voice deep and authoritative. "Welcome. Filip has spoken highly of you."

I gave a polite nod, my voice steady despite the nerves swirling inside me. "Thank you for having me."

His father's eyes flickered with something-curiosity, maybe. But there was no warmth in his tone. "Filip has always been... selective about who he brings into this family's world. We protect what is ours, and that protection comes at a cost. I trust you understand that?"

I nodded again. "I do."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression sharp. "Do you know what we do, Rena? What our business is?"

I glanced at Filip, who gave me a small, encouraging nod. I had to be honest. That's what Filip had told me. No games.

"I do," I said clearly. "Filip has told me about your... involvement in certain activities." I chose my words carefully, not wanting to sound accusatory or ignorant. "I understand that this family operates in a way most people wouldn't."

His father raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed that I hadn't shied away from the truth. "And knowing that, you still chose to be with Filip?"

I could feel the weight of the question, the test hidden beneath the surface. "Yes," I answered, meeting his gaze head-on. "Because I love him."

There was a moment of silence, thick and heavy, before Filip's father leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. His mother, however, was watching me closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke for the first time.

"Love is a powerful thing, Rena," she said, her voice smooth but with an edge. "But power requires loyalty. Our business is built on trust-trust that we are all on the same side. Do you think you can be loyal to this family, even if it means stepping into a world far darker than the one you know?"

My heart pounded, but I kept my voice steady. "If being loyal to Filip means being loyal to this family, then yes. I can be."

Her eyes flicked to Filip for a moment, then back to me. "Loyalty is tested in difficult ways. If you are with Filip, there may come a time when you'll be asked to do things that might conflict with your morals. Can you handle that?"

It was the hardest question so far. I knew what they were asking. Could I stand by Filip even if it meant compromising my own values? Could I accept the darkness that came with this life?

"I won't pretend that it'll be easy," I said, my voice firm. "But I'm willing to face it, for him."

There was a pause, a brief exchange of glances between his parents, before Filip's father finally spoke again.

"Very well," he said, his voice measured. "But words are easy, Rena. Action speaks louder." He gestured to one of the men standing nearby-a large, imposing figure who had been silent until now. The man stepped forward, holding something small and metallic in his hand.

A gun.

My breath caught in my throat as the man placed the gun on the table in front of me. The room went completely silent, and I felt Filip tense beside me.

"This," his father said, gesturing toward the gun, "is a symbol of our trust. If you are truly committed to this family, you must show it."

I glanced at Filip, but he didn't say anything, his jaw tight. His eyes were full of concern, but also a silent plea-he was asking me to trust him, to trust that I could pass this test.

I reached out, my hand trembling slightly as I picked up the cold metal. The weight of it in my hand was heavy, far heavier than I had imagined. I wasn't sure what they expected me to do with it, but I held it firmly, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Do you trust Filip?" his father asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Yes," I said without hesitation.

"Then prove it," he said. "Point the gun at him."

My heart froze, and I felt the room spin for a moment. Point the gun at Filip? I looked at him, and his expression was calm, though I could see the tension behind his eyes. He trusted me. He was telling me to do this, to play along with whatever this test was.

With shaking hands, I lifted the gun and pointed it at Filip, my heart racing in my chest. My fingers trembled around the trigger, but Filip's gaze was steady, full of reassurance. He trusted me completely.

His father watched me closely, his eyes narrowing as I held the gun in place. The room was so silent, I could hear my own breathing, fast and shallow. But I didn't flinch. I held my ground.

"Good," his father finally said, his voice a low rumble. "That's enough."

I exhaled a shaky breath, lowering the gun immediately. My hands were still trembling as I placed it back on the table, relief washing over me as I realized I had passed their test.

Filip's father stood up, giving me a long, hard look before nodding slightly. "You have courage, Rena. That much is clear. But remember this-being part of this family comes with a price. You've shown you're willing to pay it."

He turned to Filip, his expression softening just a fraction. "She's strong. You chose well, son."

Filip finally exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips as he took my hand again. "Thank you," he said to his father, but his eyes were on me, filled with pride and affection.

As we walked out of the room, my heart still racing from the intensity of the test, I realized something. I had passed. I had proven myself to them, but more importantly, I had proven to myself that I was ready for whatever came next.