Morgan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The tension was palpable.
"We heard you met with Dad," Julian said, his voice neutral, but there was an edge to it.
Morgan's jaw tightened. "Word travels fast."
Evelyn, standing beside Julian, shifted her gaze past Morgan, her eyes landing on Claire.
Claire, still wrapped in a bedsheet, lingered in the doorway of the bedroom. Her hair was a mess, her lips slightly swollen, and the faintest hint of red painted her cheeks. She was clearly trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, but the situation was obvious.
Evelyn's brows lifted slightly as she took in Morgan's own disheveled state—the loose silk robe barely tied at the waist, her tousled hair, the faint flush still clinging to her skin.
"Oh," Evelyn muttered under her breath, realization dawning on her.
Morgan rolled her eyes. "Yes, Evie, you interrupted something."
Evelyn cleared her throat, awkwardly glancing at Julian, who either hadn't noticed or was doing an excellent job pretending he didn't.
"Right. Well," Julian said, glancing between
them. "We wouldn't have come if it wasn't important."
Morgan sighed heavily, stepping aside. "Fine. Come in."
Julian and Evelyn stepped inside, their eyes briefly sweeping over the luxurious penthouse.
Claire, still clutching the sheet, hesitated for a moment before making her way toward Morgan's side. She had a feeling she was about to get a lot more insight into the woman she was falling for.
Morgan caught the hesitation and leaned down, lowering her voice so only Claire could hear. "You don't have to stay for this."
Claire shook her head. "I want to."
Morgan studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright," Morgan said, shifting her attention back to her siblings. "So, what's so important that you had to show up unannounced?"
Julian exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Dad's pissed."
Morgan let out a dry laugh. "Dad's always pissed."
"This time it's worse," Evelyn interjected. "You really pushed him, Morgan. He's making threats."
Morgan's smirk faded. "What kind of threats?"
Julian hesitated before answering. "He's talking about retaliating. Trying to get you disbarred. Digging into your past to find anything he can use against you."
Morgan clenched her fists. "Of course he is."
Claire, standing beside her, tensed. "Wait—he's trying to ruin your career?"
Morgan sighed. "It wouldn't be the first time he's tried."
"He's serious this time," Evelyn added. "You know how he gets when he feels cornered. And you backed him into a corner, Morgan."
Morgan's gaze darkened, but she remained eerily calm. "Good. Let him squirm."
Julian frowned. "Morgan—"
"No," Morgan cut him off, her voice firm. "I'm not backing down. Not this time."
Julian sighed, clearly expecting that answer. "I figured you'd say that. Just… be careful."
Morgan nodded but didn't say anything.
Evelyn, sensing the shift in the conversation, turned to Claire, offering a small smile. "Sorry for barging in like this. I'm Evelyn, by the way."
Claire, still absorbing everything, managed a polite smile. "Claire."
Evelyn's smile widened slightly. "I'd say it's nice to meet you, but given the circumstances…" She trailed off, glancing between Claire's sheet-wrapped form and Morgan's robe. "I think we could have picked a better time."
Morgan pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes. You could have."
Evelyn chuckled. "Well, at least now I know why Morgan never answers our calls at night."
Julian groaned. "Okay, we're done here." He turned to Morgan, his expression serious again. "Just… keep your guard up. Dad doesn't lose gracefully."
Morgan smirked. "Neither do I."
Julian and Evelyn exchanged a look before nodding.
"We'll be in touch," Julian said before leading Evelyn towards the door.
-------
Morgan was already halfway through closing the door behind Julian and Evelyn when Claire's voice stopped her.
"Wait," Claire said, stepping forward.
Morgan turned, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
Claire glanced between Julian and Evelyn before settling her gaze on Morgan. "Why don't we all go out to dinner? A real introduction, properly."
Morgan's lips parted slightly, caught off guard. "Claire…"
Julian and Evelyn exchanged a look before Julian smirked. "I don't hate the idea."
Evelyn nodded, a small, mischievous smile on her lips. "Yeah. I'd like to get to know the woman who managed to tame our sister."
Morgan scoffed. "Tame?"
Julian chuckled. "You're in a relationship, Morgan. That's practically domesticated."
Morgan rolled her eyes. "You two are insufferable."
Claire leaned in, whispering teasingly into Morgan's ear. "Come on, don't you think it's a good idea?"
Morgan sighed, looking between her siblings and Claire, clearly outnumbered. "Fine. But don't expect me to enjoy it."
Evelyn smirked. "Oh, we wouldn't dream of it."
Julian glanced at Claire, then at Morgan. "You two should probably… freshen up, though."
Evelyn made a show of sweeping her gaze over them, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement. "Yeah, maybe something a little more… appropriate?"
Morgan narrowed her eyes. "Get out before I change my mind."
Laughing, Julian and Evelyn took the hint and left, agreeing to meet them in an hour.
---
As soon as the door shut, Morgan turned to Claire. "This was your idea. You're picking where we're going."
Claire grinned. "How about *La Réserve*?"
Morgan arched a brow. "The French place in Midtown?"
Claire nodded. "It's elegant, private, and I've been dying to go."
Morgan sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. But if Julian and Evelyn start getting nosy, I'm making you handle it."
Claire laughed. "Deal."
They made their way to the bedroom, and Morgan opened her closet, scanning her options. "What are you wearing?"
Claire thought for a moment. "Something classy but still sexy." She eyed Morgan playfully. "You should match me."
Morgan smirked, pulling out a sleek black dress with a thigh slit and an open-back design. "This work?"
Claire's lips parted slightly. "That's perfect."
Morgan stepped closer, her voice low. "Your turn."
Claire bit her lip, scanning through her own dresses before settling on a deep emerald green, off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her curves.
Morgan's gaze darkened slightly as she watched Claire slip into it. "You're going to make it very hard to focus at dinner."
Claire smirked. "Good."
Morgan let out a low chuckle, stepping behind Claire to zip her up. "You're playing with fire, darling."
Claire turned, her hands grazing Morgan's waist. "Maybe I like the heat."
Morgan leaned in, her lips brushing Claire's ear. "Behave, and maybe I'll give you a reward later."
Claire shivered but managed a coy smile. "And if I misbehave?"
Morgan grinned. "Then we'll have to see what kind of punishment is fitting."
Claire swallowed hard, her body already responding to the promise laced in Morgan's voice.
Morgan took a step back, clearly satisfied with Claire's reaction. "Come on. Let's not keep my siblings waiting."
---
Vincent dropped them off at *La Réserve*, where Julian and Evelyn were already waiting near the entrance.
Evelyn let out a low whistle as Morgan and Claire approached. "Well, damn. I almost forgot my sister cleans up nicely."
Julian smirked. "Almost."
Morgan rolled her eyes. "Let's just eat."
They were led to a secluded table toward the back of the restaurant, the ambiance warm and intimate, with soft golden lighting and quiet classical music playing in the background.
After ordering drinks—wine for Claire and Morgan, whiskey for Julian, and a cocktail for Evelyn—Julian leaned back, watching the couple with curiosity.
"So," he started, swirling his drink. "How did you two meet?"
Claire glanced at Morgan, then back at Julian. "Actually, I ran into Morgan—literally—at her office building. Right after I found out my husband was cheating on me."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Claire nodded. "I was devastated, and Morgan… well, she wasn't exactly gentle with me."
Morgan smirked. "I don't coddle."
Julian chuckled. "No, you don't."
Claire laughed softly. "She ended up taking my case, and one thing led to another…" She glanced at Morgan, her smile softening. "And here we are."
Evelyn sipped her drink, studying them. "So, your divorce attorney turned into your girlfriend. That's a hell of a rebound."
Claire met Morgan's gaze, warmth in her eyes. "It's more than that."
Morgan didn't say anything, but the way her fingers brushed against Claire's under the table spoke volumes.
Julian and Evelyn exchanged a look before nodding in approval.
Evelyn smirked. "Good. Because if you hurt her, we'll have to deal with you."
Claire chuckled. "Noted."
Morgan rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
As much as she had dreaded this dinner, a small part of her felt… lighter.
Maybe, just maybe, letting Claire in wasn't as terrifying as she thought.