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“I have one more question.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Do they know the truth about you and Tessa?”
“They fucking hate Tessa. They’ve always hated Tessa. My mother spent months trying to convince me not to marry her.”
“Okay.” I inhaled a deep breath. “I feel much better now.”
My heart was pounding out of my chest as we walked inside. Their home was like a museum with columns, portraits, and antiques in every corner. I couldn’t believe he grew up in this extravagance and decadence. I was mesmerized, trying to focus on one thing at a time, but there was too much to see.
“This is crazy,” I muttered under my breath.
“Tell me about it. This estate has been in my family for generations.”
“I can see that. The painting by the door? Is that a real Picasso?”
“Everything you see is real.”
“That painting alone is worth a fortune. There’s being rich, and then there’s wealthy. Your family is beyond both.”
“Don’t let it intimidate you.”
“How can I not?”
“Caleb!” His mom calling for him interrupted us. “Honey, we’re in the kitchen with the kids!”
I inhaled another deep, solid breath, making our way into the room.
“Caleb.” His mom rushed over to him, instantly pulling him into her arms.
They embraced for a couple of seconds before our eyes connected.
“Hi.” I extended my hand to her. “I’m Evie, so nice to finally meet you.”
“I know who you are. Welcome to our home,” she greeted, pulling me into a snug hug.
I was a little caught off guard. However, I quickly hugged her back. The rest of the day was easy, although I didn’t think it would be. Caleb’s father was just as kind as his mother was. I enjoyed being around them. It was effortless, like my connection with their son.
They caught me up on his life, telling me all about him when he was young. She even brought out photo albums, and we spent hours going through each one. The kids loved seeing their dad as a child.
One thing was for sure, though, Caleb was his mother’s everything. It was blatantly obvious how much she cared for him. It was amazing to witness the love they all had for each other. I didn’t have this growing up, and I was beyond grateful to see it for the first time in my life. Don’t get me wrong, Jax’s family was loving too, but this was different.
Familiar yet new.
After Caleb left to put the kids to bed, I walked outside, needing a minute to take in the day we’d just shared with his family. I didn’t realize how much being around him and his loved ones would affect me.
Until I heard a voice ask from behind me, “You love him, don’t you?”
I immediately turned, finding his mother standing there.
“I’ve always loved him.”
“I can tell.” She smiled. “My son is an amazing man.”
“He is. He’s an amazing father too. Ethan and Ariel worship the ground he walks on. You did a great job raising him.”
“Thank you. He was the easy child. Joseph was the opposite. They were both raised with the same morals too. Just proves it doesn’t matter how you raise your children. In the end, all you can do is hope and pray they’ll find the right path in life.”
