Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Pressure

Adhara didn't care—or at least that's what she told herself. She wasn't curious about who Fred was dating. She didn't want to know who had taken her place, who was making his heart race the way she once did. Knowing would only make things harder.

But, oh, who was she kidding? Of course, a small part of her was curious. It tugged at her mind, that faint whisper of temptation. Still, it was better not to know. Ignorance, for once, was a blessing.

Adhara pushed the thought aside, her focus shifting to something far more stressful: her father's impending visit. Draco had informed her that Lucius and Narcissa were coming. Their father, in his usual detached way, claimed he "missed" his children. Neither Adhara nor Draco believed that for a second, and the news had left them both on edge.

For Adhara, this was going to be her first encounter with Lucius in years. The thought alone sent a cold shiver down her spine. To make things worse, he was already angry that she hadn't informed him of her return to England. That, she supposed, was just another transgression to add to the long list of ways she'd failed to live up to his expectations.

Narcissa, on the other hand, would be easier to face. While their mother shared many of Lucius's values, there was a softness to her that set her apart. Still, Adhara couldn't ignore the similarities. The idea of seeing both her parents together again filled her with a sense of dread, and she was thankful her job would give her an excuse to make the visit short.

When the day of their arrival came, Adhara found herself at Draco's flat, standing beside her brother as they awaited their parents. She tried to steady her nerves, but the sharp knock at the door made her heart jump.

Draco opened the door, his demeanor cold and composed. "Father. Mother," he greeted them, his tone more like that of a business associate than a son welcoming his parents.

Narcissa stepped forward first, her expression softening as she pulled Draco into an embrace. "Oh, darling, I missed you," she said warmly, ignoring the formality of Draco's greeting.

Draco, though slightly stiff, returned the hug. "I missed you too, Mother," he replied, glancing over her shoulder at Lucius, who stood back with a faint nod of acknowledgment.

Then Narcissa turned to Adhara, her eyes lighting up. "And Adhara, oh my sweet girl. I missed you so much." She swept Adhara into a hug, her touch warm and familiar.

Adhara closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to sink into the comfort of her mother's embrace. "I missed you too, Mother," she said softly, a genuine smile breaking through the tension she'd been holding. For a moment, she felt like a child again, safe and cared for.

But the moment didn't last. Lucius stepped forward, his voice cutting through the warmth like a cold blade. "How come you never told us you were back, Adhara? I had to learn about it from a friend, of all people."

Adhara pulled away from Narcissa and turned to face her father, a polite, practiced smile on her lips. "I've been busy, Father. There's been a backlog of unsolved cases, and work has been... demanding." Her tone was smooth, almost mechanical.

Lucius raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I see. But surely, you could have made the time to call."

Adhara maintained her composure, refusing to let his words get under her skin. "I'll try to do better next time," she replied, her smile as plastic as ever.

Lucius gave a small nod, though it was clear he wasn't satisfied. His gaze shifted, taking in Draco's flat with a look of mild disdain. "I still don't understand why you chose to settle in a place like this, Draco," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval. "You have more than enough resources to build a proper manor."

Draco met his father's gaze without flinching. "Soon, Father," he replied evenly, his voice betraying none of the frustration he surely felt.

Narcissa, sensing the tension, quickly stepped in. "It's a lovely place, Draco. Very modern," she said, her tone light and conciliatory.

Lucius didn't respond, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the room. Adhara, standing silently to the side, felt her patience wearing thin. She clenched her hands at her sides, forcing herself to remain calm. She would endure this visit, just as she always had.

At least Narcissa's presence made things bearable. Her mother's warmth was a rare balm in a family dynamic that often felt more like a political alliance than a relationship.

"Shall we sit?" Draco finally suggested, gesturing to the sitting area.

As they moved to take their seats, Adhara stole a glance at her father. His expression remained stern, his sharp gaze taking in every detail of the flat as if searching for something to criticize. Adhara braced herself for whatever was coming next. Lucius Malfoy was not a man to let anything slide, and she had no doubt he had more to say.

For now, though, she would keep up her act. She would smile, nod, and play the part of the dutiful daughter. It was the only way to survive this reunion, the only way to keep the fragile peace intact.

"So, how is work, Adhara?" Narcissa asked, her tone warm and curious as she sipped her tea. 

"I've been doing well, Mother," Adhara replied evenly, a polite smile gracing her lips. 

Narcissa nodded approvingly, her own smile softening. "That's wonderful to hear, darling. You've always been so dedicated." 

Lucius, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly spoke up. "When do you plan on getting married, Adhara?" His tone was sharp, as though the question was more of a command than a casual inquiry. 

Adhara froze for a moment. So this is why they wanted to see me, she thought bitterly. To pressure me into marriage. She placed her teacup down carefully before responding. 

"Oh, I'm not dating anyone at the moment, Father," she said, her voice calm but firm. She resisted the urge to sneer. I would have been married by now—to Fred—if you hadn't threatened me. The memory made her chest tighten, and anger bubbled just beneath her calm exterior. 

Lucius leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing. "You can't stay single forever. You have responsibilities to fulfill. Duties to this family." 

"Father—" Adhara began, but Lucius cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. 

"If you refuse to find a proper pure-blood groom, then we'll arrange one for you. And if you choose someone, he'd better meet our standards. Because the last time you made that decision, it was an embarrassment." His words were cold, and his eyes bore into hers with unyielding authority. 

The room fell into an icy silence, Narcissa fidgeting slightly as she looked between her husband and daughter. Adhara's jaw tightened, and her fingers curled into fists under the table. Her anger was threatening to boil over, but she knew better than to lose her composure in front of him. 

Before she could formulate a response, Draco cleared his throat, cutting through the tension. "Adhara, it's already past ten. Don't you have work?" 

Adhara blinked, silently grateful for the excuse. She stood quickly, forcing a polite smile onto her face. "You're right. I should be going. My apologies for cutting this short, but duty calls." 

"But we've only just started talking—" Narcissa began, her voice tinged with disappointment. 

"Leave her be, dear," Lucius interrupted, his tone brisk. "She's making us proud by focusing on her career." 

Adhara's lips tightened into a thin smile. "Thank you, Father. Mother," she said, nodding to them both. "I'll see you soon." 

Without waiting for a response, she gathered her things and left, her heart pounding. She felt suffocated by the encounter, her father's words replaying in her mind like a broken record. 

By the time she arrived at the Ministry, she was desperate to shake off the weight of her family's expectations. She focused on the marble steps in front of her, carefully watching her footing so she wouldn't trip. But just as she reached the main doors, someone stepped into her path. 

"Vera."