Emily barely spoke during the rest of dinner.
The grandfather's decision kept echoing in her mind.
"You will both move into the main Knight residence."
Living together.
In the same house.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire Knight family.
It felt less like a home… and more like a test she was not prepared for.
When dinner finally ended, Emily quietly followed Alexander out of the dining hall.
The long hallway felt strangely silent.
Emily finally spoke once they were alone.
"Your grandfather wasn't joking, was he?"
Alexander slipped his hands into his pockets.
"He rarely jokes."
Emily sighed.
"So we're really moving into that house?"
"Yes."
Emily stopped walking.
"Alexander… your family already hates me."
Alexander turned to look at her calmly.
"They don't hate you."
Emily crossed her arms.
"Sophia clearly does."
Alexander didn't argue with that.
Instead, he said something unexpected.
"You don't need their approval."
Emily stared at him.
"That's easy for you to say. It's your family."
Alexander looked at her for a moment before speaking again.
"Just focus on our agreement."
Emily frowned slightly.
"Our fake marriage."
"Yes."
Emily looked away.
"Sometimes I feel like I've stepped into someone else's life."
Alexander studied her quietly.
Before he could respond, a voice suddenly interrupted them.
"Well, well… this is interesting."
They both turned.
Sophia was standing at the end of the hallway.
Her expression was polite, but her eyes were cold.
"I must admit," she said slowly, walking toward them, "I didn't expect you to last this long."
Emily stayed silent.
Alexander's expression hardened.
"What do you want, Sophia?"
Sophia smiled faintly.
"I just wanted to congratulate Emily."
Emily blinked.
"Congratulate me?"
Sophia's smile widened slightly.
"Yes."
Her voice dropped into something colder.
"After all… surviving in the Knight residence is not easy."
Emily felt a chill run down her spine.
Sophia leaned slightly closer to her.
"Many people have tried to become part of this family."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"None of them lasted very long."
Emily finally spoke.
"Are you trying to scare me?"
Sophia straightened.
"Not at all."
She glanced at Alexander briefly before looking back at Emily.
"I'm simply warning you."
Then she smiled again.
"Good luck."
With that, Sophia walked away down the hallway.
Emily watched her disappear around the corner.
For a moment, neither she nor Alexander spoke.
Then Emily whispered quietly,
"Something tells me living in that house is going to be a nightmare."
Alexander looked toward the dark hallway where Sophia had disappeared.
His voice was calm, but serious.
"You have no idea."