AMY’S POV
I locked eyes with my mother, my throat tight, my mind completely blank.
I had no idea how to answer her.
How could I possibly explain everything that had happened in the span of a single day?
Before I could force any words out, a sharp knock cut through the suffocating silence.
I practically lunged for the door, grateful for the interruption.
I expected to see a nurse or doctor, someone who would give me a few more precious moments to gather my thoughts.
But when I pulled the door open, my heart stopped.
Richard stood in the doorway, tall and imposing in his charcoal suit, his green eyes calm and unreadable.
“Richard?” I blurted out, my voice cracking.
“What are you doing here?”
He smiled, a small, almost gentle curve of his lips.
“I wanted to check on your mother. See how she’s doing.”
My eyes widened.
“You can’t be here.”
“Amy?” My mother’s voice came from behind me.
“Is that Derek at the door?”
I turned to see her straining to look past me, her tired eyes searching for the man she still thought was my fiancé.
Richard stepped past me into the room before I could stop him.
He moved with the confidence of someone who owned every space he entered, his presence immediately filling the small hospital room.
My mother’s brow furrowed as she studied him.
She clearly didn’t recognize him, and I could see her trying to place his face.
“Mrs. Hart,” Richard said smoothly, bowing his head in greeting.
“I’m Richard Wellington. Derek’s uncle.”
Recognition flickered across her face.
“Richard Wellington,” she repeated slowly.
“The Alpha of Darkwood Pack.”
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“That’s me.”
Her eyes narrowed, confusion replacing the initial surprise.
“Why would the Alpha of Darkwood Pack be visiting me in the hospital?”
Before I could say anything, my mother’s gaze sharpened.
“Wait,” she said slowly, looking between Richard and me.
“Did you pay for my hospital bills? That’s why I’m in this private room and why I had the best surgeon in the city, right?”
Richard nodded, his expression neutral.
“Yes, I did.”
“But why?” she demanded, her voice rising slightly despite her weakness.
“Why would you, a stranger, pay for my medical bills? Why isn’t Derek here? Does he know I was rushed to the emergency ward?”
I took a deep breath, the words burning in my throat.
“Mom, Derek and I… we’re not together anymore. I called off the engagement.”
My mother’s eyes went wide.
“What? Amy, what are you talking about? You were going to get married in two months. What happened?”
I felt tears prick at my eyes, but I forced them back.
“He cheated on me, right after Dad’s funeral. I walked in on him with another woman.”
The color drained from her face.
“He…
he did what?”
“He didn’t even try to apologize properly.
He just told me to let it go and we could still get married.” My voice cracked.
“I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t marry someone who would disrespect me like that. So I ended it.”
My mother stared at me, her expression a mixture of shock and fury.
Her hands trembled against the blanket.
“That worthless, pathetic—” She stopped herself, taking a shaky breath.
“Please tell me you at least broke his nose.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“No. I just walked away.”
Richard stepped forward, his voice firm.
“But I can assure you, Mrs. Hart, Derek will be punished for what he did. He disrespected your daughter, and he will face consequences.”
My mother’s eyes snapped to him, sharp and assessing.
“And why are you so concerned about my daughter?
She’s a grown woman.
She can take care of herself.”
“I know she can,” Richard said smoothly.
“But that doesn’t mean she should have to.”
My mother studied him for a long moment, her gaze probing.
“Alpha Wellington, thank you for helping us with the hospital bills. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you, but you don’t have to concern yourself with our problems. I promise you, we will repay every single penny you spent on my hospital bills.”
“That won’t be necessary, Mrs. Hart. The money is not a loan. You don’t owe me anything.”
My mother’s eyes narrowed.
“Why? Why would you do all of this and expect nothing in return? That doesn’t make sense.”
Richard met her gaze without flinching.
“Because it’s my duty.”
“Your duty?” she repeated, confusion lacing her voice.
“What duty could you possibly have to my family?”
Richard’s lips curved into a small, almost gentle smile.
“It’s my duty as your future son-in-law.”
The room went completely silent.
My mother froze, her mouth falling open.
Her eyes darted between Richard and me, the pieces slowly clicking into place.
I felt my own eyes widen in shock.
He’d just said it.
So casually like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Amy,” my mother whispered, her voice barely audible.
“What is he talking about?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
I had no idea how to explain this.
No idea how to tell her that I’d traded my freedom to save her life.
Richard stepped closer to my side, his hand finding the small of my back.
The touch was warm, grounding, and completely unexpected.
“Your daughter and I are getting married,” Richard said, his voice calm and steady.
“In three weeks.”
My mother stared at him, then at me, then back at him.
Her face was pale, her hands trembling.
“Amy,” she said, her voice dangerously quiet.
“Tell me he’s joking.”