Ren's Pov...
I woke up early today. I don't know what possessed me to be this responsible. Maybe it was the rage bubbling in my chest.
I wanted answers.
Why did Evan's parents lie to me? Why did they hide this circus from me? They must have known about his… situation.
Today, I was going to demand the truth.
The sunlight peeked through the luxurious silk curtains, but I didn't feel its warmth. I sat on the plush velvet sofa near the entrance like a detective waiting to interrogate his suspects.
I crossed my arms, my foot tapping aggressively.
Seven husbands. Seven chaotic personalities. And apparently, more waiting to traumatize me.
I clenched my fists. Today, I will get my answers.
Just as I took a deep breath to calm myself, a shadow loomed over me.
"RISE AND SHINE, BABE! IT'S GYM TIME!"
Before I could process what was happening, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist and I was hoisted into the air like a gym bag.
"WHAT THE—PUT ME DOWN! EVAN, WHICH ONE ARE YOU NOW?!" I flailed wildly.
The man's tanned, muscular arms squeezed me tighter as he jogged down the hallway, carrying me like a prize. He was wearing a bright neon green tank top, sporty shorts, and his hair was pushed back with a sweatband.
His face beamed with excitement. "I'm Max, your FITNESS TRAINER FOR LIFE, BABE! Gotta keep that pretty body strong and FLEXIBLE!"
"Max?!" I shrieked. "Since when did you have a gym trainer personality?!"
He didn't answer. He just zoomed through the mansion with me clutched in his arms like I weighed nothing.
The morning air was crisp as we reached the garden where mats, weights, and dumbbells were already perfectly arranged.
Max gently placed me down, kneeling in front of me like he was proposing. His sparkling smile nearly blinded me.
"Time for your COUPLE WORKOUTS!" he announced proudly, holding out a protein shake like it was a wedding ring.
"Excuse me, what?" I blinked. "I never agreed—"
"DRINK UP, BABE!" He shoved the straw in my mouth and I choked on the ridiculously sweet chocolate protein shake.
"Okay, let's warm up with yoga!" Max chirped, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "Couple poses! I will guide you!"
"Listen, I really don't—"
But before I could finish, Max had already positioned me into some impossible, twisted pose.
He adjusted my legs carefully, his large hands strong but gentle. "Good! Good! You are a natural, babe!"
"Wait, wait, I feel something—" I gasped. "My back—"
Max cheerfully bent over me, helping me stretch deeper. "You are doing great, babe! Now lean back into my hands—just like that—"
.......CRACK....
My eyes widened in terror.
"Aghhh! I CAN'T MOVE! MY BACK! MY BACK!" I screeched, my face slamming into the mat. "MAX, YOU BROKE ME!"
"NOOOO, BABE!" Max panicked, spinning around in circles like a malfunctioning gym robot. "NOT AGAIN!"
He immediately scooped me up bridal-style and gently dumped me on the mansion's largest couch like a delicate, injured princess.
His face paled in horror as he waved his hands frantically. "Wait, wait, I can fix this! I can fix this! Oh no, oh no, Evan's gonna kill me—wait, I am Evan—AHHH, THIS IS SO CONFUSING!"
I groaned, clutching my sore back. "You! You absolute—Aghh!—maniac!"
Max backed away nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's okay if you wanna pay me later, babe. No pressure."
He bolted out of the room like a rabbit running from a fox.
"DON'T YOU...'BABE'...ME!" I howled, grabbing the nearest pillow and hurling it at his disappearing figure.
"YOU OWE ME A NEW BACK!"
The pillow hit the wall instead, and I flopped onto the couch like a dead zombie, arms spread wide, completely done with life.
I laid there, unmoving, staring at the ceiling in pure, defeated silence.
My muscles ached. My back throbbed. My spirit was crushed.
"…I just wanted to talk to my in-laws," I muttered, tears pooling in my eyes. "But instead, I nearly died from yoga."
Somewhere in the distance, I heard Max's overly cheerful voice echoing through the halls.
"LOVE YOU, BABE! SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR A LEG DAY!"
I growled, grabbing another pillow and smothering my own face. "I'M NOT DOING LEG DAY!"