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My mom’s outrageous cry startles us both while my eyes widen like saucers as they clash with hers when I look sideways. I hurry to rise and approach her cautiously. Red blotches form on her cheeks as she reins in her anger.
“Let me explain, Mom.”
She dramatically presses her palm against her chest, shaking her head at me. “My own daughter didn’t think to invite her mother to her wedding. And at the courthouse. How am I going to show my face to my friends?”
I close the gap between us, only for her to halt me with her hand. I explain in a soft tone, “We didn’t want to wait and I didn’t think you’d want to come. And why would I? You haven’t spoken more than two words to my husband.”
“This isn’t the Bianca I raised. Disrespectful and selfish.”
I flinch while tears gather in my eyes. Arya rushes to my side and intertwines our arms. She speaks strongly and with a firmness I didn’t expect while defending me. “Ma! Why would we be against it? Dash is perfect for her, and so what if she didn’t want to have a big wedding?”
“Lower your voice, Arya,” admonishes my mom while I stand mute, feeling gutted at her displeasure. All because I didn’t marry the man she wanted. Turning to me, she declares, “I do not accept this.”
“Afraid the papers make your opinion irrelevant.”
Dash appears in my peripheral vision, walking with a thunderous expression aimed at my mother. The unadulterated relief that falls over me is both unexpected and staggering at his mere presence.
Like nothing can touch me if he’s by my side. This man—my husband—has made me feel more protected in the last month than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Not even when I was hopelessly in love with Niall.
The second Dash is near, I’m pulled into his warm embrace, making Arya’s hand disappear. I lower my gaze, not wanting him to see the tears yet again at my mom’s behest but as always, he misses nothing when it comes to me.
Tilting my face, he rubs the tear that escapes free with his thumb. His sharp gaze twists to my mom, who glares at us with her chin held high.
His voice is chilling as he speaks, “I warned you last time not to ever upset Bianca. Apologize to my wife.”
“Dash!” I gasp at the same time my mom does.
“How dare you?”
At the commotion, my dad and Aryan aren’t far behind. Immediately, they sense the tension in the room and the rage pouring off of Dash. Outwardly he’s contained, but only I know he’s teetering on the edge, ready to storm down on others.
“What’s going on?” demands my dad. His poised gaze flickers to Dash and for a second, fear flashes in his eyes that leaves me stunned. My emotions are too frazzled to unmask its meaning.
“Bianca married him without our permission,” Mom complains, turning to him. Only to be rendered shocked when he speaks.
“I know.” He raises one hand to silence her when she tries to reply. “Dash already told me and they have my blessing. We’re going to welcome him into our family.”
“But—”
“What’s done is done. To celebrate, we’ll throw them a reception party next month and invite all our friends and family to properly introduce them as a couple.” He stares at Dash for confirmation, who then peers down at me.
“It’s your choice, kitten,” he whispers for my ears only, and I nod.
I slide my hand into his and face my dad. “We’d like that, Papa.”
“Good. Now let’s have dinner.”
Chapter Forty-three
BIANCA
“Motherfucking hell,” I mutter to myself as I flush the toilet and amble to my office.
Nothing makes my day turn hellish than when it’s the first day of my period, especially when they surprise me while I’m at work. The bane of every woman on the planet’s existence.
I dread them almost as much as they’re a relief when I tick it off every month. Because the alternate possibility is worse. Actually, they are a pain in the ass either way. I don’t care if I sound whiny.
Because hello, mood swings.
