Chapter 66 My mom Is Coming
Iva’s P.O.V.
We’re lying tangled in each other’s arms. His heartbeat thuds steadily beneath my ear, a rhythm I could fall asleep to every night. The warmth of his body, the way his fingers trace lazy circles on my back, it’s everything I’ve missed these last few days.
He murmurs against my hair, “Tomorrow, I won’t let you go out of my arms the entire day. I don’t know why you’re torturing us like this.”
I raise my head from his chest to look at him. His messy hair falls across his forehead, and his pout makes me smile. “You know why. Anyway, aren’t you enjoying it?”
He lets out a soft chuckle. “I love punishing you, but living without you? That’s the real torture.”
I brush my thumb along his jaw. “You’re the one who agreed to it.”
“I agreed because I knew you wouldn’t stop worrying otherwise,” he sighs, cupping my face gently. “And you were right, I am studying more with you away.” His thumb grazes my lips. “Still… I can’t risk my sanity for my studies.”
I laugh quietly. “You’ll pass if you stay focused, Will. I just want you to give yourself that chance.”
“I promise, when we live together, I’ll study. Just don’t torture me like this anymore, please.” He gives me that pleading look, the one that always melts me.
“Okay.” I brush my nose against his. “But only after you pass the exam you failed.”
“Done,” he says immediately, grinning widely before tightening his arms around me and pulling me even closer.
His lips find my forehead, then my hair. “You have no idea how much I love you, Professor.”
I close my eyes, smiling into his chest. “I love you more, Will.”
The next morning, Will’s arms are still wrapped tightly around me, his face buried in my neck, breathing peacefully.
For a moment, I just lie there, watching him, the slight curve of his lips, the dishevelled hair that makes him look maddeningly irresistible even in sleep.
Then my phone beeps. I check it. It’s a text from my mother.
Mom: I’m coming to your place in a few hours. And today, I want to meet the man you’re dating. I don’t want any excuses.
“Oh no…” I whisper under my breath, slipping out of his arms carefully.
Now, I’ve to make her meet Will. I was delaying it, because I was scared of her reaction.
Will stirs and his brows furrow. “What’s wrong, Professor?” His morning voice is low and husky, and under any other circumstance, I would’ve melted right there.
“Will, we have to get ready quickly and reach my apartment.” I rush to grab my clothes.
He sits up, blinking, still half-asleep. “What? Why?” he asks, rubbing his eyes and yawning adorably.
“My mom is coming.” I try to sound calm, though my pulse is racing. “She wants to meet you.”
That wakes him up instantly. His eyes go wide and his back straightens. “Wait, what? She’s coming today?”
“Yes.” I bite my lip. “She just texted me.”
He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, okay… no need to panic.” He stands and walks over to me before placing his hands gently on my shoulders. “Don’t worry. She’ll accept our relationship.”
“I just hope so,” I mumble, my stomach twisting with anxiety. “She’s open-minded but… what if she won’t like our age gap… You being my student…”
He cups my face gently, stopping my panic. “Hey. Look at me. We love each other, that’s what matters. I’ll make her see that.”
I nod, leaning into his touch and trying to absorb his calmness.
He presses a kiss to my forehead. “It’s going to be fine.”
We’re sitting side by side in the living room of my flat. I’m still fidgeting with my fingers while Will sits beside me, completely composed, his arm resting casually on the back of the sofa.
My heart won’t stop pounding. Every possible scenario flashes through my mind, my mother angry, my mother disappointed, my mother walking out without saying a word.
“Stop overthinking.” He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
I look at him, worried. “I can’t help it. What if she doesn’t understand?”
“She will, because she’ll see how much you mean to me. In fact, she’ll be happy, because you’ve finally chosen a life partner for yourself.” He reassures me.
I manage a small smile, comforted by the conviction in his tone.
Then the doorbell rings.
My heart jumps into my throat.
“That’s her.” I stand up immediately.
My legs feel shaky as I walk toward the door. I take a deep breath before turning the knob.
When the door opens, my mom is standing there.
“Hi, Mom.” I force a smile.
She hugs me briefly, then glances past my shoulder into the apartment. “I hope he’s here.”
I nod, stepping aside so she can see Will sitting on the couch. He instantly rises to his feet.
“Mom, this is Will.”
Her gaze shifts from me to him, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
And that’s when the moment I’ve been dreading finally begins.
Will walks toward her with that charming smile on his face that always melts me. “Good morning, ma’am,” he greets her, extending his hand. “It’s really nice to finally meet you.”
My mom shakes his hand, her expression is calm.
“Mom, Will is my student.” I finally tell her, putting my fear aside.
“Your student?” She repeats slowly, looking between the two of us.
I swallow hard, my palms going cold. “Yes, but before you say anything—”
She lifts a hand gently, stopping me. “Let me get this straight.” She glances at Will again. “You’re her student… and you two are in love?”
Will nods respectfully. “Yes, ma’am. I know how it sounds, but I love your daughter deeply. And I’m not ashamed of it. I’ll do anything to make her happy.”
My heart becomes so full at his words. He sounds so honest, so sure.
My mom studies him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she exhales slowly and looks at me. “You’ve always been the careful one, Iva. The one who never made reckless choices. So if you’re standing here, telling me this… it must be real.”
I blink, unsure if I heard her right. “You’re… not angry?”
She shakes her head with a small smile. “Angry? No. Shocked, yes. But you’re my daughter. I’ve seen you bury yourself in work for years, avoiding relationships, saying you’ll focus on your career first. And now, seeing you finally finding someone, I can’t be angry about that.”
I feel so relieved right now, but also surprised by her reaction.
Will looks just as stunned, but he steps closer and says softly, “Thank you, ma’am. That means a lot.”
She says, “Don’t call me ma’am, Will. Call me Mom. After all, you both plan to marry someday, right?”
My mouth falls open, and I stammer, “Mom…”
She arches a brow playfully. “What? You don’t plan to marry?”
Before I can even form a reply, Will steps forward and slides his hand into mine. His voice is full of emotion when he says, “Of course, we will. I can’t imagine my life without her. I want her forever in my life.”
He looks right into my eyes as he speaks, and for a second, I get lost in him. Completely. I feel so lucky to have him in my life.
The three of us are sitting at the dining table for lunch. Will serves food, refilling glasses, and constantly checking if I need anything with such care.
It’s so sweet.
Mom watches all this silently, her expression unreadable at first. Then I notice the faintest smile spreading across her face.
She looks at me and leans closer to my ear. “I can see you’ve chosen right. He’s young, but he knows how to take care of you.”
“You really think so?”
She nods, her eyes still following Will as he cuts a piece of bread for me and places it on my plate. “Absolutely. He’s respectful, attentive, and the way he looks at you…” She smiles. “That kind of love doesn’t lie.”
I look at Will, his focus entirely on me, his eyes full of quiet devotion, and I feel something in my heart.
He glances at me and catches my gaze, his lips curving up in a smile.
And for the first time today, I feel at peace.
My mother accepts us. It’s such a huge relief.
As soon as Mom excuses herself to the washroom, I notice Will is still watching the door she disappeared behind, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it.
He turns to me slowly. “Thank you.”
My brows narrow in confusion. “For what?”
He exhales with a small smile. “For letting me be a part of your world… your family.” He pauses, brushing a thumb gently over my knuckles. “You don’t know what it means to me, Iva.”
My heart squeezes. “Will…”
He looks down for a second, his voice even quieter now. “I never really had a mother’s love. And today, when your mom talked to me like that… when she smiled and told me to call her Mom… It felt like something I never had but always wanted.”
I rest my hand on his cheek. “You deserve that kind of love, Will. You’ve always deserved it.”
He leans into my touch, eyes closing for a moment. “Now I feel like… through you, I finally have it. A home. A family.”
I smile, my throat tight. “And you always will. You’re part of my life, Will. That means you’re part of everything that comes with it.”
He opens his eyes and looks at me like I’m the only thing that exists.