RICHARD’S POV
I watched Amy’s eyes go wide as the words left my mouth.
Her face paled, and she turned to me, her voice barely a whisper.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, her eyes blazing with panic.
“You said I had a week. You promised.”
I didn’t respond.
I kept my gaze fixed on her mother, my expression calm and unwavering.
I believed it was best to tell her the truth as soon as possible.
Dragging it out would only make things worse.
Amy might not see it now, but she would eventually understand.
“Amy,” her mother interrupted, her voice sharp despite her weakness.
“Is what he said true?”
Amy’s head snapped toward her mother.
“No, Mom, it’s not…I mean, it’s complicated…”
“I was talking to him,” Emily cut her off, her eyes locked on me.
“Alpha Wellington, is it true? Are you marrying my daughter?”
I met her gaze without flinching.
“Yes, Mrs. Hart. It’s true.”
Emily’s face crumpled with disappointment.
She looked at Amy, her eyes filling with tears.
“Amy, have you been cheating on Derek too?
Is that what this is?”
“No!” Amy’s voice was desperate.
“Mom, I never cheated on him. I would never do that. I caught him with another woman, and that was it. I ended things right there.”
I stepped forward, coming to Amy’s aid.
“Mrs. Hart, I need you to understand something. I’ve known about Derek’s infidelity for a long time. I actually warned Amy about it over a year ago.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed.
“You warned her? Why would you warn her about Derek’s behavior? What business is it of yours?”
I paused, choosing my words carefully.
“Because I had feelings for her. I’ve had feelings for Amy since the first time I saw her. And I knew Derek wasn’t good for her. I could see what he was, what he would do to her if given the chance.”
Emily stared at me, her expression unreadable.
Amy quickly jumped in.
“He told me about it some time back. I wanted to confront Derek, but I never got the perfect chance. And I didn’t have any evidence until I walked in on him myself.”
Emily was quiet for a long moment, processing everything.
Then her eyes sharpened, and she looked directly at Amy.
“So what is this?” she asked, her voice cold.
“Is marrying Derek’s uncle your plan for revenge against him?
Because I didn’t raise you to be petty, Amy.
I raised you to be better than that.”
“Mom, that’s not—”
“Marrying a man twice your age out of spite for your mate?” Emily shook her head, disappointment dripping from every word.
“What were you thinking? This is not who you are.”
I stepped forward, trying to defend Amy.
“Mrs. Hart, I understand your concern, but I want you to know that I care about Amy deeply.
I…”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Emily cut me off, her voice sharp as a blade.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, Alpha Wellington.
Stooping this low; going after your nephew’s mate.
She’s half your age.
She’s practically a child compared to you.
And even if Derek hurt her, even if they’ve separated, this is still not right.
You’re taking advantage of a vulnerable young woman.”
“Amy is not a child,” I said, my voice tight.
“She’s a grown woman who made a choice.
I didn’t force her into anything.”
“But you gave her no other options, did you?” Emily’s eyes blazed. This story is hosted at g.com.
“You saw her desperation and you pounced on it. That’s not love. That’s manipulation.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Emily held up a hand.
“Get out,” she said, her voice cold.
“Both of you.
I need to be alone.”
“Mom, please..
” Amy started.
“I said get out.” Emily’s voice cracked, but her resolve didn’t waver.
“The nurses will take care of me. You’ve already paid for it, haven’t you? So go.”
Amy stood frozen, tears streaming down her face.
I reached for her arm, gently pulling her toward the door.
“Let’s give her some space,” I said quietly.
She resisted for a moment, then finally allowed me to lead her out of the room.
I closed the door softly behind us.
Amy didn’t say a word.
She walked ahead of me, her shoulders rigid, her steps quick and purposeful.
I followed in silence, keeping a few feet of distance between us.
She walked out of the hospital, past the waiting room, through the sliding glass doors, and into the cool evening air.
I called her name, but she didn’t stop.
She kept walking, her arms wrapped around herself.
“Amy,” I called again, louder this time.
Still nothing.
I quickened my pace, reaching out to grab her hand just as she reached the curb.
“Amy, wait.”
She whirled around, yanking her hand out of my grip.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face blotchy from crying.
“You promised me a week!” she shouted, her voice echoing in the quiet street.
“You said I had a week to tell her myself. And then you just…you just threw it all out there like it was nothing!”
I took a breath, trying to keep my voice calm.
“It was better this way.
Dragging it out would have only made it harder.”
“Harder for who?” She jabbed a finger at my chest.
“For you?
Because it certainly wasn’t easier for me.
I wanted to tell her in my own time.
I wanted to explain it properly.
But you took that away from me.”
“Amy—”
“No!” She stepped back, her hands shaking.
“You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to make decisions like that for me. I agreed to be your wife in a contract. That doesn’t mean you own me.”
I stood there, watching her tremble with anger and hurt.
“You’re right,” I said quietly.
She blinked, her anger faltering.
“What?”
“I said you’re right.” I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated breath.
“It wasn’t my place to tell her like that. I should have let you handle it in your own time. I overstepped.”
Amy stared at me, her eyes searching my face.
She was probably expecting me to argue, to defend myself.
I didn’t.
I had made a mistake, and I owned it.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Truly.”
She seemed taken aback by the apology.
The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, and she let out a shaky breath.
“I just…” She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
“I don’t know if she’s ever going to forgive me for this.
She looked at me like I was a stranger.”
“She will come around,” I said gently.
“She’s your mother.
She loves you.
She just needs time to process everything.”
“How do you know?” Amy asked, her voice small.
“She was ready to tear me apart for you. A woman who loves her daughter that fiercely doesn’t just give up on her,” I said.
“She’s just disappointed, that’s all.”
Amy was quiet for a long moment, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Then she let out a long, slow breath.
“I need to go back inside,” she said.
“She’s just went through surgery.
I can’t just leave her like this.”
“Give some space,” I said.
“She has nurses to take care of her. When she sees you tomorrow, she’ll be ready to listen.”
Amy looked torn.
I could see the war raging inside her, the desire to fix things versus the fear of making them worse.
“You’re probably right,” she admitted reluctantly.
“I know I am,” I said, allowing a small smile.
“Now, let me take you back to the mansion.
You need rest too.”
“Can I go to your office instead?” she asked and I raised my eyebrows at her.
“I don’t think I want to be alone right now.”
I understood her immediately.
Everything she went through in a span of one day is a lot.
Staying alone would make her automatically think about it.
I opened the car door for her, and she slid inside without a word.
I closed the door and walked around to the other side, sliding into the seat beside her.
As the driver pulled away from the hospital, I watched Amy stare out the window, her expression distant and sad.
I knew I messed up.
I pushed too hard, moved too fast.
But I would make it right.