Chapter 18
~) don’t understand, what do you mean?“ Lasked, my Town still deeply elchedon my face. The story 1 had grown up with Imolved childhood friends turning into lovers, and it had been painted as one of the sweetest love stories. Teven remembered seeing countless articles about my parents relationship from back in the day and how people had been obsessed with that.
“Your tather and I had an arranged marriage,” Stem stated plainly, setting down her coffee and scooting closer in me
My eyes widened in disbelief. The relation was completely at odds with the Laby tale image of my parents love story that i had held onto for years.
continued, dropping
“My parents knew his father, and, well, your dad was quite the rebel when he was younger. That’s why you grandpa sent him off to that fancy bounding school, bombellates bombshell. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my dad, the person I had always known as responsible and disciplined, hadbeen a rebel in his youth
“So, how did the idea of marriage even come up asked, my turen deepening as I struggled to reconcile this new information with my existing beliefs. I had thought that my dad had been sent to the prestigious boarding school because of its prestige, not as a form of discipline
“Well, your deeded to settle do. You know how naditional your grandpa b He wanted your dadmarcledby the age of 21, but instead, your dad kept making headlines for various misadventurn,“Mom explained further. I had abeays known my grandpatole a remarkable man, but perhaps he had treated my dad differently. “Despite all his rebelliousness, your dad was still excellent businessman. But you pandpa wouldn’t hand over his business until your dad had settled down,” Mom concluded, her loyalty to my dad evident in her words. “Tud was a rebel” repeated in disbeliet, eager for more details about this hidden side of my father’s past.
A huge one,” Mem continued, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Alter growing his wealth and making a name for himself in the industry, he went to great lengths to clean up his image.
Keruming to her narrative, Mom said, “One night, your dad was caught in a clubs, thoroughly intoxicated and causing quite a scene. Your grandpa had had enough; he needed some PR magic to is this mess. At that time, I had just completed my studies, and I had the opportunity to become your father’s agent, but instead, your grandpa had a different plan in mind. A faire marriage
Liraned in, curiosity piqued. “What did Nana and Fop think about it? inquired. Even though they had passed away when I was younger, I remembered their protectiveness and concern Mom’s expression grew somewhat sheepish as she admitted, “Actually, they were the ones who nichestrated the whole plan. They wanted me to their friend” “What?” I couldn’t help but exclaim.
A small, wistful smile graced Mom’s lips as she recounted, “We had a massive fight over it, but eventually, I agreed to become your father’s fiancée and, wventually, his wife.”
siece our parents
A hint of sadness touched her eyes as she added, “Everyone believed the story. After all, we were supposed to be childhood friends and neighbors, or in everyone believed since our were often seen together.”
My curiosity shifted, and I inquired. “What was Dad like back then?
“Quiet, demanding, booty, not very sympathetic, Momplied with a chuckle
“Seems like he hasn’t changed much.“I mumbled
Mum shot me a warning look “Your dad has changed a lot, trust me.”
Frustration and disbeliet welled up inside me, and poured out my feelings, saying, “Mam, I believed in true love because of you and Dad. I’ve seen the way you both look at each other, and It’s incredible. I’ve seen the way you and Dad look at each other and it’s incredible, all I could ask for Dad wouldn’t care if the would bound, as long as he’d have you It’s all I’ve ever wanted Tomantically – for someone to look at me like that. I believed in a good, organic love story And now you tell noo this?”
Man gently caressed my cheek and placed strand of hair behind my ear before pulling me close to kiss my forehead. Trust me, Lana, not much has changed, except for the way we met. Your dad was only cold for the first two months of our marriage, but after that, he warmed up. The cotton dates, the late–night talks, pille fights, dinners, gifts – ewrything I told you about, he did Your father made me feel loved in a way that seemed unimaginable. He was simply incredible, and he still is!
Teutated, for between skepticism and the longing for the kind of love my parents had. “He was a strict father and kept me hidden because he didn’t want me to grow up like he did. Mom continued. “I think you and your dad need toch down and talk about certain things – whenever you’re ready.”
The idea of such a conversation loomid ahead, challenging and overwhelming To avoid dwelling on it further, I shifted the subject, letting it test for another time, With Dad away on a business meeting, it was just Mom and me for dinner. After she left the house. I found myself alone in our st before heading to bed, trying to get some rest for the important meeting scheduled for the next day.
spacious home. I busied myself with some light unpacking
I should have been sleeping, preparing for the meeting with Naomi Smith, the author of “Hearts Entwined. The meeting had been moved op, and 1 felt a mix of excitement and nerves
Instead, I was awake and on my way to grab a snack. I walked past the hallway, something caught my eye: Alec’s huggage from our recent honeymoon was still on the floor. I sighed and gave nomy curiosity, opening it up. To my surprise, everything inside was nearly folded and seganized. Who even does that?
on
I noticed a magazine among his belongings and picked it up. Hipping through the pages, I stumbled upon something that left me breathless–a catalog of high–end jewelry. I browsed through the lavish pieces, but my attention was immediately draws to one particular item, it was a marquise–cutting with a halo band adorned with small, glistening stones. The center pem was a care ur diamond, and the g was simply sting but why was it circled with a marker on the page?
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Aler
inth an expensive piece! Especially for me? The answer remained shrouded in uncertainty, leaving me in a state of anticipations
hadn’t given me an engagement sing. My heart raced as I gazed at the dazzling jewelry on the page. But doubts quickly crept in Could Alec afford
