Chapter 6

I'm so thrilled that Cassian has agreed to let me bring my mom to our house. Right now, I'm in the limo, being driven to my mom's place. I can't wait to tell her that Cassian is okay with her staying at our mansion.

As the limo glides through the city streets, I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach. The city lights flicker past in a blur, each one bringing me closer to my mom. I can already picture her surprise and joy when I tell her the news.

We pull up outside her quaint little house, its familiar facade bringing a rush of childhood memories. I take a deep breath, smoothing down my dress before stepping out of the limo. The cool evening air is a welcome contrast to the warm leather seats.

As I approach the front door, I can already see her silhouette in the window. She opens the door before I even have a chance to knock, her face lighting up when she sees me.

"Mom," I begin, taking her hands in mine, "Cassian has invited you to stay with us at the mansion."

Her eyes widen with surprise, and I can't help but laugh at her reaction. I know this is a big change, but I also know that having her with us will bring so much joy to our home.

Her expression shifts from surprise to disbelief, then finally settles on pure joy. "Really?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. I nod, unable to suppress my own excitement.

"Really, Mom. Cassian and I would be thrilled to have you with us," I assure her, squeezing her hands gently.

Tears well up in her eyes, but they're happy tears. She pulls me into a tight hug, whispering a soft "thank you" into my ear. I return the hug, feeling a sense of contentment washing over me. This is right. This is how it should be.

We spend the rest of the evening packing her things, reminiscing about old times, and talking about the future. It's late by the time we finish, but neither of us mind. We're both too caught up in the excitement of what's to come.

The next morning, we load her belongings into the limo and set off for the mansion. As we pull away from her little house, I glance over at Mom. She's looking out the window, a soft smile playing on her lips. I reach over and give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Ready for the new adventure, Mom?" I ask, my voice filled with anticipation. She turns to me, her eyes shining with happiness. "More than ready," she replies, returning my squeeze.

As our limo glides smoothly towards the mansion, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. I glance over at Mom, her eyes wide as she takes in the sprawling estate coming into view. "It's beautiful," she murmurs, awe in her voice.

Once we arrive, I lead her inside, eager to show her around. The mansion, with its high ceilings and grand rooms, is a stark contrast to her cozy little house. But I know, with Mom's touch, it'll soon feel just as warm and inviting.

We spent the day exploring, from the sun-drenched kitchen to the cozy library, each room sparking her excitement. But it's the garden that truly captivates her. "It's like a little piece of paradise," she exclaims, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the blooming flowers and lush greenery.

Over the next few days, we settle into a comfortable routine. Mom's presence fills the mansion with the warmth it was missing. Her laughter echoes through the halls, her stories fill the dinner table, and her love makes the mansion feel like home.

One evening, as we're sitting in the garden watching the sunset, she turns to me. "Thank you," she says, her voice filled with emotion. "For this... for everything."

I smile at her, feeling a rush of affection. "No, Mom. Thank you. For being you, and for making our house a home."

"By the way, sweetie, I've noticed that Cassian is a serious type of man. I haven't seen him around you much. Has he been busy?"

I give her a small smile, nodding in agreement. "Yes, Cassian tends to have a serious demeanor, but he has a kind heart. And yes, he's been quite busy lately with work. He runs his own business, and it can be demanding at times."

Mom's expression softens with understanding. "Well, make sure you both take some time for yourselves, sweetie. All work and no play isn't good for anyone."

I laugh lightly at her advice. "I'll make sure to remind him of that, Mom. Maybe we could even have a family dinner one of these nights, just the three of us. What do you think?"

She smiles, her eyes lighting up at the suggestion. "I think that's a wonderful idea, sweetie. I'd love that."

And just like that, we start planning for our little family gathering. I can't help but feel a sense of contentment. With Mom here, our house feels more like a home, and I can't wait for Cassian to experience this warmth too.

Despite the joy of having my mom with us, a knot of worry forms in my stomach. I know Cassian only married me to fulfill his father's wishes. Our relationship, despite the legalities, lacks the emotional bond that a marriage should have.

I can't help but wonder how he'll react to the idea of a family dinner. Would he see it as an intrusion, a step too far into the personal space he's so carefully guarded? Or would he welcome it, a chance to break the monotony of his work and experience the warmth of a family, even if it's not by blood?

One thing's for sure, I need to talk to him. It's not fair to Mom, or to him, to keep him in the dark. I decide to approach him the next time I see him.

The following day, as he's leaving for work, I gather my courage and call out to him. "Cassian," I begin, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "Can we talk?"

I saw how Cassian's expression changed when he heard my voice. I felt uneasy. I'm afraid of his hot temper.

Cassian pauses, turning to face me. His expression is unreadable, but I don't let that deter me. "I wanted to talk to you about something," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

He raises an eyebrow, gesturing for me to continue. Taking a deep breath, I plunged ahead, "Mom and I thought it would be nice to have a family dinner, just the three of us. What do you think?"

For a moment, he just stares at me, his expression inscrutable. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for his response, the silence between us stretching out.

Finally, he breaks the silence. "Alright," he says, his voice neutral. "Let's do it."

I'm taken aback by his agreement, relief washing over me.

"Are you sure?" I asked, surprised.

"Do I look like I'm joking, woman?" His forehead creased in annoyance, and I could sense the irritation in his voice.

I flinch at his tone, but quickly regain my composure. "No, I just... I didn't expect you to agree so quickly," I admit, looking at him.

He gives a noncommittal shrug, his expression softening just a fraction. "Well, I did. Let's leave it at that."

With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there, a mix of relief and uncertainty churning inside me. His agreement, as gruff as it was, gives me a glimmer of hope. Maybe there's more to Cassian than meets the eye.

Over the next few days, I find myself looking forward to dinner with a sense of anticipation. I don't expect miracles, but I do hope for a chance to break down some of the walls between us.