Page 70 of My Downfall

“Dad, could you call Mom in please.” His gaze flicks to mine and his eyes widen as he takes in Mia.

“What’s this about?” He frowns.

“I need to speak with you both. We have some things we need to discuss and there’s someone I’d like you both to meet.” She fidgets uncomfortably on my lap, and I know it’s got nothing to do with the position and everything to do with the cold man on the screen.

“Give me a minute.” The screen goes blank as he mutes the video while he calls my mom.

“Stop fidgeting,” I grunt as she continues to move about on my lap.

“I shouldn’t be on your lap right now.”

“Yes, you most definitely should be.”

“It’s your parents,” she grates.

“And you’re mine.” Before she can say anything more the screen blinks to life and my mom and dad appear.

“Hudson. How are you, darling?” My mom will never not be the impeccable lady she was born and raised to be, especially around strangers. Don’t mistake it for kindness, though. It most definitely is not. I can already see her eyes narrowed in on Mia, assessing her, weighing her worth and why she’s here.

“I’m good, Mom. You?”

“Busy. Always busy.” It’s a little dig to me phoning spontaneously. Most parents would like their kids to phone, call, or drop in unannounced. Not mine.

“I’ll make this quick. We have a few things we need to discuss but before we do that, I’d like you to meet Mia.”

“And why exactly do we need to meet her? No offence, dear.” My father pretends to soften his question, but I know he doesn’t really care.

“Because she’s important to me. Very important.”

“I see,” my mom murmurs. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Mia.”

“You too, Mrs. Davenport, Mr. Davenport.” She nods at them on the screen.

They both turn to me. “What is it you needed to discuss, Hudson?” They’ve dismissed her, she’s irrelevant to their lives and they no doubt think they’ll never see her again.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

I’ve done what I wanted, though. They’ve met her, that’s all I needed before I propose.

“Sweet pea.” I cup her cheek in my palm and turn her face toward mine. “Why don’t you go take that bath? I’ll be up shortly.” Her cheeks heat at my words and I can’t help but smirk at her embarrassment.

“It was lovely to meet you both,” she says to my parents before she slides off my lap and quickly exits the study, closing the door behind her.

I turn back to the screen and lay it out for them. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“You cannot be serious?” My mother splutters.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

“Taking a step back from the family business to play Dean was one thing, but marrying this nobody is taking things a little too far.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”

My father heaves a sigh before his eyes find mine again through the screen. “Just make sure you get her to sign a prenup for God’s sake.”

“There will be no prenup.” I will not start my marriage signing something to dictate what happens if we end.

“Don’t be so stupid, son.”