The Proud CEO

Eliana sat across from Adrian's mother, hands wrapped around a teacup too delicate for her nerves.

"I hear congratulations are in order," Mrs. Wolfe said, voice cool and clipped.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Adrian placed a hand on Eliana's knee, grounding her. "Mom, Eliana's not just the woman I'm marrying. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

There was a pause.

"I hope so," his mother finally said. "Because the Wolfe name carries weight. Expectations."

Eliana looked her straight in the eye. "I don't want the Wolfe name because it's powerful. I want it because I love the man who carries it."

A beat.

Then a smile—small, rare, but real—from the matriarch.

"Then make him proud."

Later that night, Adrian whispered, "You handled her better than I ever have."

She grinned. "That's because she sees herself in me."

He laughed, kissed her cheek, and whispered, "Wolfe has never sounded better than next to your name."