All Chapters of Call me Mom :Mated to my EX's Alpha Father: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Juliette's Point of ViewI woke up in a surprisingly good mood.The haze had receded overnight, leaving me feeling refreshed rather than drained. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warm and golden. Lucian's side of the bed was empty, but the sheets still held traces of his warmth.I stretched lazily, pushing away the embarrassing memories of last night. What was done was done. No point dwelling on it.Besides, today was important. Zoe was meeting her fiancé's parents for the first time, and I had promised to accompany her for moral support.I found her in the guest chambers, pacing back and forth like a caged animal."I can't do this," she said the moment I walked in. "I'm going to embarrass myself. I'm going to say something stupid. His parents are going to hate me.""They're not going to hate you." I guided her to sit at the vanity. "You're wonderful. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a daughter-in-law.""You have to say that. You're my best friend.""I say it because it's t

Juliette's Point of ViewAfter hours of comforting Zoe, her tears finally subsided.She lay in bed, exhausted from crying, her eyes red and swollen. I tucked the blankets around her and brushed the hair from her face."Rest," I said softly. "I'll be back to check on you later."She nodded weakly, too drained to speak.I slipped out of the guest chambers, closing the door quietly behind me. My own heart felt heavy. Zoe's pain had stirred up memories I tried not to think about. The loneliness of my childhood. The cruelty of my stepfamily. The constant feeling of never being good enough.I needed a distraction.Rosie appeared at my side as if summoned by my thoughts."Luna, is there anything you need?""I need to clear my head." I rubbed my temples. "Is there somewhere quiet I could go? Somewhere with books, perhaps?"Rosie's face brightened. "The manor has a wonderful library, Luna. It's in the east wing. Very peaceful. Hardly anyone uses it during the day.""Perfect. Show me the way."

Diana's Point of ViewWhen my mother-in-law summoned me, my stomach dropped.I walked through the corridors of the manor with dread pooling in my chest. My daughter had just been punished by that upstart Luna. Confined to her room for a week like a common criminal. And now Vivienne wanted to see me.This was going to be a lecture. I was certain of it.I would have to endure her disappointment. Her criticism of my parenting. Her thinly veiled insults about how I was raising my children.I prepared my defenses as I walked. Charlotte was just a child. Children made mistakes. That Luna had overreacted. Surely Vivienne would see that.But when I entered Vivienne's private sitting room, her expression wasn't what I expected.She looked calm. Almost pleasant."Diana. Sit."I obeyed, perching nervously on the edge of the chair."I've been thinking about your son," Vivienne said without preamble.My son? Not Charlotte?"Charles is fifteen now. A critical age for a young man's development." Viv

Juliette's Point of ViewI watched Caleb's retreating figure disappear through the doors.Something nagged at the back of my mind.These past few days, Diana had been unusually kind to me. Suspiciously kind. The woman who had barely concealed her contempt for me since my arrival was suddenly offering pleasant smiles and warm greetings whenever we crossed paths.Just yesterday, she had complimented my dress. Actually complimented me. Without a hint of sarcasm or backhanded insult.It had been unsettling, to say the least.Now, combined with what I had heard about her son being sent to the prestigious Thornwood Academy with special tutors and personalized attention, a theory began to form in my mind.I glanced at Lucian, who was still staring at the closed doors with that disappointed expression etched across his handsome features.Caleb had proven himself unreliable. Reckless. Impulsive. Willing to throw away his entire future for a rogue woman with a questionable past. These were not

Juliette's Point of ViewI accepted the book from Charles with genuine delight."The History of the Northern Territories," I read aloud, running my fingers over the worn leather cover. The binding was old but well-preserved, the pages yellowed with age. "Charles, this is wonderful. I've been looking for this everywhere.""I know, Luna." His cheeks flushed pink with pleasure at my reaction. "You mentioned it last week when I saw you in the library. You said you'd searched the shelves twice but couldn't find a copy. So I went through the archives in the east wing and finally located one in storage.""That was very thoughtful of you." I smiled warmly at him. "You went to a lot of trouble. Thank you."He ducked his head, clearly pleased by the praise. "It was nothing, Luna. Really. I'm happy to help with anything you need."Looking at him now, I could see why Vivienne had chosen to invest in his education. He was polite. Observant. Eager to be useful. There was a sharpness in his eyes tha