Page 109 of All for Love

As much as I appreciated her support, my gaze was on Margaux’s. Hers, however, was fixed firmly on her daughter. While her eyes weren’t narrowed anymore, she was still as white as a sheet and she seemed completely shaken.

“Is this really what you want, honey?”

Mercedes nodded without hesitation. “Kody makes me feel the way his father makes you feel. Can’t you see that? I love him. It was out of our control and we’re truly sorry that it hurt you, but it honestly just happened.”

Margaux looked at my dad, who seemed lost for words. The moment stretched and stretched, and I held my breath. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Dad nodded. “Fine. I’m on board. If those are our options, then we don’t really have a choice. I won’t lose you.”

He glanced at Mercedes before he looked back at me. “I won’t lie to you. It is going to take me some time to come around fully. This isn’t something I’m going to be able to process in the blink of an eye, but above all else, I want my sons to be happy. It’s what every father wants, and you deserve that more than anyone else.”

With his gaze back on Mercedes, he managed a tiny, tight smile. “I know my son will take good care of you, and I know that’s what your mother wants. For you to be happy and to have a good man who loves you and looks after you.”

When he brought his gaze back to mine, the tiny smile got a little bit wider. “You’re a good man, Kody. I know I haven’t told you that enough, but you are. You’re a good man and I know you wouldn’t have done this unless you really could see a future with her, so I won’t go so far as to say you have my blessing, but I’m also getting out of your way.”

It meant more to me than I cared to admit, but we hadn’t heard back from the biggest obstacle that was left. Margaux. Other than asking Mercedes if this was really what she wanted, she hadn’t said a word.

As everyone turned to look at her, she got up and went upstairs. My stomach dropped, but she didn’t look back. Didn’t explain herself or excuse herself. Simply headed up to their bedroom without another word.

Beside me, Mercedes sniffed softly. I reached for her, silently begging her damn mother to pull her head out of her ass and give us something, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

I’d given them a choice, and clearly, she’d made hers. Now I just had to hope that Mercedes was still on board—even if her mother never would be.