CHAPTER FIVE: UNSPOKEN VOWS

Alexa’s POV

I dressed quickly and drove to the restaurant Jason and I had agreed on.

My mind drifted briefly to my mother and whatever she had wanted to tell me earlier, but it was clear she wasn’t ready yet. I pushed the thought aside.

The restaurant was already buzzing when I arrived. I scanned the room once… twice.

No Jason.

A faint unease settled in as I took a seat and reached for my phone. Just as I was about to dial his number, the door opened.

Jason walked in.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe. He looked effortlessly composed, confident in that quiet way that made people notice him without him trying. I caught myself staring and quickly looked away.

“Hi, Miss Alexa,” he said with a polite smile. “Sorry I kept you waiting. I had a meeting.”

“It’s fine,” I replied smoothly. “I only just got here.”

He ordered for us with ease, his presence filling the space between us. When his gaze returned to me, it lingered.

“You look stunning,” he said.

I smiled faintly. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

There was a brief pause before he spoke again.

“I’d like you to attend my mom’s birthday and wedding anniversary this weekend.”

I blinked. “Oh… sure. I’d love to.”

“She wants to meet you.”

That made me frown. “Jason, you do know we’re not in a relationship, right? Why would you introduce me to your parents?”

He chuckled softly. “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not interested in you like that. This is just to make my mom happy. No strings attached.”

His words stung more than I expected — but I masked it quickly.

“Good,” I said. “Because I’m not interested in you either. I’m only doing this for my mom.”

A faint smirk touched his lips. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

We chatted lightly after that, keeping things safe and distant. At some point, I mentioned his brother.

“Your brother came by my office today.”

Jason raised an eyebrow. “What did he do?”

“Nothing serious. He said he wanted to check on me.”

He laughed. “That’s Jace for you. He flirts without even trying.”

“I noticed,” I said dryly.

Soon after, I stood up. “I have another appointment.”

“So do I.”

He offered to drop me off. I accepted without thinking too much about it. When we finally said goodbye, there was relief — and something else I refused to name.

Jason’s POV

Later that night, I sat at a bar with Rufus and Harry — my closest friends. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but tonight called for it.

“So,” Rufus said, grinning. “What’s she like?”

Harry scoffed. “Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“You’re both annoying,” I said.

“Are you going to marry her?” Rufus pressed.

I laughed. “I’m not interested in her. Why would I marry her?”

Harry leaned back. “So you have zero feelings?”

“You’re idiots,” I said flatly. “I’m doing this for my mom. That’s all.”

Rufus raised his glass. “I give it time. You’ll fall in love.”

Harry nodded drunkenly. “Facts.”

“This isn’t a romance movie,” I snapped. “It will never happen.”

“To Jason,” Rufus said, clinking glasses. “The next man to fall in love.”

I scoffed — but something inside me wasn’t as certain as my words.

Alexa’s POV

Barbara stared at me like I’d just confessed a crime.

“So you’re telling me Jason Anderson isn’t interested in you?”

“I don’t care,” I shrugged. “I’m not interested in him either.”

“Then why are you telling me?” she teased.

“Now I regret it,” I muttered. “I’m just doing this for my mom.”

Barbara sighed. “That man is dangerously handsome.”

“Drop it.”

She smirked. “If I were you, I’d seduce him.”

“You’re a terrible friend.”

“I know.”

We laughed, and for a moment, everything felt light again.

Jason’s POV

Mom called later, asking me to come home.

By the time I arrived at the mansion, she was already waiting.

“¿Cómo estás?” she asked warmly.

“Estoy bien.”

Jace arrived shortly after, and within minutes, the usual bickering began — until a familiar voice stopped us cold.

“Miss me?”

“Jennifer?” we said together.

Dinner followed… quiet, tense — until Dad cleared his throat.

“You both need to get married.”

Silence.

“I’m serious,” he continued. “Your mother and I want to see you settled.”

“That’s not fair,” Jace protested.

“I’ll make life difficult if you refuse.”

Then Mom spoke — her voice shaking.

“I’m dying.”

The world stopped.

“I have cervical cancer,” she said through tears. “And before I go… I want to see my children married.”

Pain tore through my chest. The kind you don’t recover from easily.

Outside on the balcony, none of us knew what to say — until Mom returned.

“Jason,” she said softly. “I heard you’re seeing Alexa Leonard.”

My heart dropped.

“Invite her to the party.”

“Yes, Mom.”

She smiled weakly. “You’ll learn to love her.”

“I hope so,” I replied.

But deep down, my thoughts whispered the truth —

I hope not.