The pregnant bride went stiff as a board when she spotted the groom’s dad. She never saw that coming…

Adriana sighed. When the women left the room, Max and father were already seated at the table. Mother immediately began to stir.

I’m sorry it’s so crowded. If I had known we were having guests tonight, I would have set the table in the big room. Don’t worry.

It’s inconvenient for me to come without warning, but I have to go back tomorrow. I’ve got a work emergency. For dinner, the family had sautéed chicken and pies with apples.

The biggest portions were, of course, Max’s. Mother tried to please her possible son-in-law. Father looked at it and grumbled not indignantly, shouted at him by his wife.

Max was on the road, tired, probably hasn’t eaten much. The father quickly pulled out a bottle of cognac to drink to the acquaintance, but the guy had to refuse. Sorry, I’m driving.

After tea and cake, the young people looked at each other and decided to move on to the most difficult part of today’s meeting with parents. Do we have a little news for you? Max began gently. We are planning to get married.

That’s a lot of news. It’s a sign. Before you know it, you’re already planning a wedding.

The father was clearly displeased. Adriana exchanged concerned glances with her mother. Why not? The woman said, if the children love each other, then love and advice to them, and you’re on their side.

The man looked at his wife. What’s wrong with that? Nowadays, all independent people without parents decide such things. It’s a fact.

Let Adriana study first and then get married. What’s the hurry? Father William suggested it. We’d be happy to wait.

But there is one thing. Max took his girlfriend’s hand. Adriana’s in a state.

In what position? Excuse me, the father first. I’m pregnant. Dad explained the girl and blushed, lowered her head.

We want to keep the baby so that it will be born in a complete family. That’s the thing, said the father, and again reached for the locker where he had stashed the cognac. Now he was definitely going to drink a shot or even two.

While the man was digesting the news with the help of cognac, the young people discussed their plans with their mother. Don’t worry about expenses. I’ll take care of everything.

Max said as he said goodbye to Adriana and her family, closing the door behind his future son-in-law. The mother looked at her daughter. Lucky you, Adriana, and kind, caring, and well-off.

I can’t even believe how well everything is working out. A prince on a white horse, really on a white horse. The girl laughed.

His car is white. The next weekend, Max came to pick up the girl to take her to meet her father. Don’t worry, he will like you, he reassured Adriana.

As they drove to the upscale club village, Adriana was stunned already at the entrance of the mansion. The plot was surrounded by a high stone wall, and on the sides of the gate stood marble left flexes. I passed a small fountain and smoothly drove into the parking lot, where a couple of expensive cars were already parked.

Max helped the girl out and led her to the house along the path along which stood statues and rose bushes. Adriana could not believe her eyes. After all, she grew up in a small town and had never seen such a luxurious large house and garden.

But what did you like? Max asked, noticing the look on Adriana’s face. It’s very beautiful here, she exclaimed. There is also a cool greenhouse behind the house.

I’ll show them to you after I meet my father. The young people entered the mansion. The inside was even more impressive.

High ceilings, snow-white walls, moldings, carpets on the floor and furniture that looked like it had just been delivered from a museum. Vases with bouquets of fresh flowers stood everywhere. On the walls contrasted with the classical furnishings, there were abstract paintings hanging.

Max led the girl into the living room. Adriana sat down uncertainly on the very edge of the antique sofa. Wait, I’ll go into the kitchen.

I’ll ask for tea and some snacks. And I’ll go get my dad. You don’t have to follow me.

I’m already here on the wide marble staircase carpeted in dark red. A man in a lively summer suit has appeared. Dad, you’re just in time.

I want you to meet Adriana. She and I are dating. The girl looked up the stairs and her breath caught.

She saw her client, the same man she had attended a charity auction with and spent the night in a hotel. Adriana, this is Michael, my father. The man came down, looked at the girl, but didn’t seem to know her.

Good evening, Adriana. He greeted her with a friendly smile. I didn’t know my son had such a nice girlfriend.

Michael sat down in the chair. He only recently told me about your existence. Dad, I thought you were going to the kitchen.

Why don’t you go ahead? We’re going to have a little chat with Adriana. Max gave his father an expressive look. Don’t worry, I won’t eat her.

As soon as the boy left the living room, Michael’s friendly mask disappeared from his face and his expression changed to a cold one. The man leaned back in his chair and gave the girls a scornful look. I never thought my son would be picked up by a Courtney.

I hope you didn’t meet him as a client. No, we met by chance at a trade show. In fact, it was my first time here.

I just really needed the money, and then I realized it wasn’t the right way for me to make money, so I deleted the profile. Adriana nervously rubbed the hem of her blouse. Don’t play games.

Here in front of me, holy simplicity. Just tell me how much. How much of what? The girl didn’t get it.

How much money do I need to get you off my son’s back? You don’t have to tell me about love and stuff. Even if you do have love, it’s just a matter of price. I’m not dating Max for the money.

Adriana was outraged by Michael’s proposal. When I met him, I didn’t even know he was rich. But later you found out.

The man grinned. Stop padding the price. Just name the amount and we’ll call it a day.

We’ll sit. We’ll talk. Max will drive you back home.

And then you’ll call him and tell him you’re breaking up. And then Max came back. Behind him, the server’s maid entered the living room with a cart.

The woman began arranging the tea service and plates of appetizers on the coffee table. Max noticed the tense expression on Lena’s face. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her.

So I have something to tell you, the guy said. Adriana and I have decided to get married. Michael froze with a cup of tea in his hands.

That we love each other and want to live together. To live together. No need to have a wedding at all.

You could hear the displeasure in the older man’s voice. How long have you two known each other? A few months. That’s not long enough to make such an important decision.

I’m willing to agree to your living together. But marriage? Michael looked intently at Adriana. No, dad.

We’re getting married. We have special circumstances. Max pulled the girl even tighter against him.

Adriana is expecting a child. At these words, the girl’s hand involuntarily rested on her stomach. Pregnant.

This news came as an unpleasant surprise to Max’s father. Yeah. Are you sure you’re the father of this baby? You’re the guy who looked at Michael perplexed.

Why would I even question that? Adriana and I are dating. And if I don’t give my license for this marriage? The man put the cup on the chair and leaned back in his chair, looking at his son sternly. Then we will still get married.

But without your consent. We are adults who can make our own decisions. These decisions are unreasonable.

Come to your senses. You picked up some girl on the street. And in a few months, you’re ready to marry her.

I don’t know what she’s been sharking you with. But please think again. There are decent girls from good families.

It’s Adriana I love. I could disinherit you. Michael threatened me.

Have you forgotten that I don’t depend on your money? Yes, my income can’t provide the same standard of living. But I won’t be poor. I am really ready to do anything for the sake of this girl, our future child, replied Max.

Looking straight into his father’s eyes. There was an awkward silence in the living room. Michael looked at his son as if not understanding how things could have turned out this way.

Adriana sat next to Max frantically squeezing his hand. All right, Michael said, rising from his chair and casting a heavy grim look in the girl’s direction. But you must know that you can no longer count on my help and support from now on.

You claim to be an independent adult. So solve all your problems on your own. The man left.

Max turned to Adriana. I’m sorry you had to endure all that. I didn’t think my father would be so set in his ways.

It’s my fault that you and him had a fight. It wasn’t your fault. The guy hugged her.

After a while, he’ll cool down. He’ll settle down. And then he’ll take your kid.

He’s got nowhere else to go but me. He has no other children. Max pulled away and looked at the girl.

He gently wiped away the tears in the corners of her eyes. Don’t worry about anything. Get ready for the wedding and the birth of the baby.

And I’ll take care of everything else. He kissed the girl’s forehead. It seemed to Adriana that Betty was looking forward to the wedding more than she was.

Her friend was in a flurry of activity, buying wedding magazines, calling a dozen florins all day long, looking through wedding photographers’ portfolios like obsessives. Adriana suspected that half of the girl’s pleasure came from the opportunity to spend other people’s money in unlimited quantities. Today, she dragged Adriana into the bridal salon.

Given your situation, we’ll need a dress with a high waist. Young lady, would you show me what you have? Bah, sure. The sales consultant returned five minutes later with several dresses and placed them on the counter.

Let’s start with these. If they don’t fit, I’ll find more options. Betty meticulously examined the offered dresses and took off one of them white with a long, airy skirt, decorated with rhinestones with a not-deep semicircular cut.

I know you’re a smart girl. So what would be the perfect thing for you to try on? It’s probably cheaper, too. Adriana took the dress and hid behind the curtains.

And the example is accurate. Betty rolled her eyes habitually. Stop counting money.

You have a rich boyfriend who’s willing to pay for your every whim. You need to stop saving money. No one will even notice your efforts.

I’d be scared to wear it myself. I might get it dirty. How do I return it? So you’re gonna rent it, too.

Betty’s got her eyes on Adriana. Why would I buy it? It’s a one-time thing. Her friend collapsed on the couch.

I wonder if there’s any training on how to fix the beggar mindset. You know, Betty Adriana peeked out from behind the curtain. I’m used to the way you talk.

But sometimes it sounds really hurtful. I’m sorry. The girl was embarrassed.

Adriana stepped out of the examples to spin around in front of her friend. But as Betty appraised her from head to toe, something was wrong. Let’s do the next one.

Try this one light champagne, suggested the consultant, showing the girl’s address. We flat skirt, foam, decorated with small flowers. Oh, there are open shoulders.

I don’t really like that. Then this one in empire style is very simple. But look at the embroidery on the fabric.

The girl spent almost an hour trying it on. Adriana would have picked the dress herself much faster. But Betty made her try them on one by one until she was completely satisfied with her friend’s look.

But this one, there’s no shame in marrying you. I’m glad you like it. You don’t like the dress you’ve chosen.

Then you should have told me right away. Betty was embarrassed. It sounds like I made you buy it.

No, I do. It’s beautiful. But I don’t know.

I feel like I’m not ready for all this. And Max had a fight with his dad because of me. That’s what the girl said.

This is not how I pictured my wedding. And I didn’t want my married life to start with deceit. Betty stopped and took Lenny in her arms.

It’s normal. Every bride experiences nervousness and doubt before her wedding. After all, your life is about to change dramatically.

But you and Max love each other. That’s not a lie. He’s even willing to accept your child from another man…