AMY’S POV
My heart was pounding as the car pulled up to the hospital.
I was happy that my mother had called for me, it was a sign that she was ready to talk, ready to listen.
But at the same time, I had no idea what to expect.
Would she be angry?
Disappointed?
Would she try to talk me out of the marriage?
I took a deep breath and walked through the familiar hospital doors, making my way to her room.
When I entered, I found her propped up in bed, watching television.
She looked better than she had the day before, more color in her cheeks, more life in her eyes.
But my gaze immediately drifted to the bouquet of flowers on her bedside table.
White lilies and lavender, arranged beautifully in a crystal vase.
“Those are beautiful,” I said, gesturing to the flowers.
“Who sent them?”
My mother’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
“Richard brought them this morning.”
I blinked, genuinely surprised.
“Richard came to see you?”
“He did. We had a long talk.” She studied me carefully.
My stomach tightened.
Of course.
That’s why she’d called me here.
Richard had come to see her, and now she wanted to confront me about everything he’d said.
“Mom—”
“Sit down, Amy.”
I obeyed, settling into the chair beside her bed.
My hands were trembling, so I clasped them together in my lap.
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes searching my face.
Then she spoke, her voice soft but serious.
“Amy, I need you to be honest with me. Do you truly love Richard? Do you actually want to be with him?”
I opened my mouth, ready to give the answer I’d rehearsed in my head.
But the words that came out were different.
More genuine.
“Yes,” I said, my voice steady.
“I do. He treats me better than Derek ever did. He respects me. He sees me for who I really am and he’s willing to help me achieve my dreams.”
Then she let out a slow breath, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
“If that’s what you truly want,” she said quietly, “then I won’t hold you back.
I just…
I need you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Don’t regret this decision.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I know part of the reason you did this was because of me. But I don’t want you to look back in a few months or few years and wish you’d made a different choice.”
I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
“I won’t regret it, Mom. I promise. I know what I’m doing.”
She nodded slowly, though I could see the worry still lingering in her eyes.
“I hope so, baby. I really hope so.”
At that moment, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out and saw Richard’s name flashing on the screen.
My mother’s eyes sharpened.
“Is that him?”
“Yes,” I said, my heart rate spiking.
“Put it on speaker.”
I froze.
“Mom, I don’t think—”
“Put it on speaker, Amy.” Her voice was firm, brooking no argument.
“If you two truly love each other like you claim, then you have nothing to hide. And if I hear even a hint that he’s forcing you into this, I won’t give my blessing. I’ll make sure this wedding never happens.”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing.
Richard could say anything.
He could slip up, reveal the truth about our arrangement, ruin everything we’d worked for.
‘Please, Richard,’ I prayed silently.
‘Please don’t say the wrong thing.’
I took a deep breath, pressed the answer button, and put the call on speaker.
“Richard, hello,” I said, forcing a sweet, loving tone into my voice.
“My mom and I were just talking about you.”
“Good things, I hope,” he replied in a cheerful tone.
“Of course.” I forced a smile as I hoped in my heart that he got the hint.
“I wanted to inform you that I might not be available for the rest of the day because I have an important meeting,” he continued.
“If you need anything, just tell your driver.”
“Oh okay.” I let out a breath.
“Don’t worry about me.
I can take care of myself.”
“I know that but I love taking care of you.”
His words made my cheeks turn red and I noticed my mom sporting a small smile.
“Can you ask mom if it’s okay to send the designer for your wedding dress over today, so you guys can pick what you want?” He asked and I glanced at my mom who simply shrugged.
I frowned.
“Is that really necessary? I already have a wedding dress.”
Richard chuckled.
“You think I’ll let you wear the dress you were going to wear to your wedding with Derek?”
His voice was calm. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
But underneath, there was a steel edge.
My fingers tightened around the phone.
I cleared my throat, trying to settle the sudden flutter in my chest.
“I didn’t think about that.
You’re right, I’m sor—”
“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted, his voice calm but firm.
“I don’t like you apologizing to me. It’s alright. So, I’ll send over a trusted designer. You can discuss what you want to wear with her and make your decision together with your mother.”
I nodded instinctively, even though he wasn’t in front of me.
“Alright.”
A long pause followed, thick with silence.
Finally, I asked, “Is there anything else?”
He chuckled, and the sound was low, almost affectionate.
“Did you miss me?”
A jolt ran through me.
“Don’t be ridiculous, we just saw each other last night,” I mumbled as I tried to stop myself from blushing too hard.
“Ah… my Luna is too shy to even say she misses me?” he teased.
I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
My face burned hotter, and I glanced at my mom, who was looking at me like she was witnessing a soap opera.
I groaned inwardly and hurriedly turned off the speaker, lifting the phone to my ear.
“I did miss you, okay? Now go back to work,” I hissed, trying to end the embarrassment before it swallowed me whole.
He laughed softly.
“Hm?
Speaker finally off?”
“How did you know?”
“The sound changes when you put the phone on speaker.
There’s a faint echo.”
“Oh.” I didn’t even know that.
“Anyway, did I do well?” he asked quietly.
I blinked, caught off guard by the softness in his tone.
So that’s why he had acted so uncharacteristically romantic.
A smile crept onto my lips.
“Yeah… yeah, you did.”
“Well, take care then. I’ll just… ‘go back to work,’” he mimicked, and I clenched my fist, trying not to laugh.
“Take care,” I replied, then hung up with a sigh.
I turned back to Mom and found her eyeing me with narrowed eyes.
“What? Satisfied now?” I asked, rolling my eyes and slumping down onto my bed.