The Accidental Son in Law

Meeting his bride

Jaxon went to open the door, and his gaze fell on the man standing there. The man wore a black suit and dark glasses — cold, unreadable, professional.

“We’re here to take your bags, sir,” he said politely, his face completely blank, like a man who’d forgotten how to feel emotions.

Jaxon froze for a second. Everything about them — the black car, the eerie composure, the lack of expression — felt strange. Felix, the man who had recruited him, had been the same way: calm, distant, and unnervingly polite.

Still, Jaxon nodded and stepped aside. The man picked up his bag and carried it out without another word. Jaxon locked up his small apartment and followed, glancing back once at the room that had held all his misery and small dreams. He’d return later to clear it out and give the keys to the landlord.

The car door was already open. He slid inside. The seat was smooth leather, the air cool and crisp, the silence thick. He had never ridden in such comfort before. For the first time in months, maybe years, he relaxed. His head leaned against the headrest, and before long, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When he woke, a hand was gently tapping his shoulder. “We’ve arrived, sir.”

Jaxon blinked and sat up, disoriented for a moment. Then his eyes widened.

Before him stood a vast white glass mansion — towering, gleaming, majestic. It looked less like a home and more like something built by the gods.

This can’t be real, he thought. Is this where they live?

He’d seen the Greyson name all over the internet and in business news — whispered about as one of the oldest, most discreet empires in the country. A dynasty of wealth passed through generations, untouched by scandal. But seeing it in person was something else entirely.

As he stepped out, a group of maids rushed forward to collect his bag. Others bowed as he passed. Jaxon felt heat crawl up his neck.

“You shouldn’t bow,” he said quietly. “It feels… wrong.”

“Get used to it,” Felix said, suddenly appearing beside him, walking toward the entrance with slow, deliberate steps. “This is your life now. The family is waiting inside.”

They entered. The moment Jaxon stepped into the main hall, his breath caught. The place shimmered with gold accents and marble floors that stretched endlessly. He nearly stumbled as he looked around, awestruck.

“Careful where you step,” Felix warned. “You’re not in your world anymore.”

They entered a grand living room where two figures sat waiting. A tall man and a refined woman — power and grace personified. Felix bowed slightly.

“Mr. and Mrs. Greyson,” he said respectfully, then gestured to Jaxon. “This is Jaxon Silver.”

Jaxon stood awkwardly, lowering his head. The woman’s sharp eyes softened first; she smiled faintly and rose.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Jaxon,” she said warmly. “Welcome to our home. I’m Georgia Greyson, your future mother-in-law.”

“It’s an honor, ma’am,” Jaxon said quickly, bowing his head again.

He recognized her instantly — a respected political figure, though her connection to the Greyson family had always been hidden. They were private to the point of mystery.

Then he turned to the man seated beside her — the patriarch himself, Diego Greyson, head of the family and president of the Greyson Empire. The man’s expression was stone-cold.

“Felix must have told you why you’re here,” Diego said, voice low and firm.

Jaxon hesitated. “Yes, sir. I’m to marry your daughter.”

“Sit.” Diego gestured to the couch opposite them. “We have much to discuss.”

Jaxon sat stiffly, Felix beside him.

“You were chosen,” Diego began, “after we discovered my daughter’s condition. She is… ill. Gravely.”

The words hit Jaxon like a weight. He hadn’t expected that.

Diego continued, “We began searching for a man who could fulfill a role — someone strong, loyal, and willing to do what must be done. We found you. We know about your life. Your struggle. The way you take care of your family, even when they don’t appreciate you. You are a rare man, Jaxon. That impressed us.”

Georgia nodded, her smile faint but sincere. “You were exactly what we were looking for. And I must say, your timing was… fate.”

Her expression changed — sorrow dimming her once bright eyes. “My daughter is dying, Jaxon. She doesn’t have long. And she’s the only heir left to this family.”

“If she dies without an heir,” Diego interjected, “our legacy, our empire, will fall into the wrong hands. We cannot allow that. So we created a solution.”

“What kind of solution?” Jaxon asked quietly.

“You will have a child with her,” Diego said matter-of-factly. “Through surrogacy. The child will be her heir.”

Jaxon froze. “Surrogacy?” His heart raced. “That… wasn’t in the contract.”

“You wouldn’t have signed if we told you,” Diego replied bluntly. “You’ll be a donor, that’s all. You’ll raise the child until the age of twenty-five, then you’ll be released from all obligations. You’ll be free to live however you choose.”

Jaxon’s brows furrowed. “Raise the child for twenty-five years, then walk away? How can I do that? I’m supposed to just… leave them?”

Georgia’s voice trembled. “Please, Jaxon. You’re our only hope. You’ll have everything — wealth, position, status — but most of all, you’ll save a life. You’ll save this family.”

He looked between them. They spoke as if this were an easy favor — as if they were asking him to sign one more paper, not tie his life to a dying woman and a child who would bear his blood.

“And there’s more,” Diego added coolly. “You’ll need to stay away from your family for a year.”

“What?” Jaxon’s head snapped up. “No. I can’t do that. I can’t just disappear!”

“Your poor background will stain everything we’ve built,” Diego said sharply. “You’ll stay here, under our care, until the year is done. You will not make contact.”

“I’m not doing this.” Jaxon stood abruptly.

“If you break the contract,” Diego said, his tone cutting through the air, “you’ll pay back double of what we’ve given you.”

Jaxon felt the blood drain from his face. Double? That would ruin him.

“You deceived me,” he whispered. “You—” He turned to Felix. “You handed me that contract without telling me any of this!”

Felix said nothing.

Jaxon turned back to Diego. “I didn’t agree to this. I didn’t sign up for—”

“You’re mistaken,” Diego interrupted, sliding a folder across the table. “Read the fine print. Rule number nine.”

Jaxon snatched the papers, his hands trembling as he flipped through the pages — and there it was, hidden in small print. All subsequent family conditions apply upon signing.

It hadn’t been there before. Or maybe… they’d added it after.

Georgia rose slowly. “Come with me, Jaxon,” she said softly.

Confused and tense, he followed her up the staircase, Felix behind him. She led him down a long hallway and stopped before a door.

“Go in,” she said quietly.

Jaxon stepped inside — and froze.

There, lying motionless on a white bed surrounded by tubes and monitors, was the Greyson daughter — his supposed bride.