Chapter 48 Adeline
Adeline's POV
Two weeks ago, I was getting used to riding on a bike for my own enjoyment rather than for the thrill of the speed when Percy surprised me once more with an engagement ring.
"So you know I won't rush you, but I'm going to remind you every day that I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He simply said. I said yes, and just like that, we were engaged.
The emerald ring feels heavy on my finger but in the best possible way. For the last two weeks, I’ve found myself staring at it during staff meetings, during elevator rides, and especially right now as Percy fixes his tie in the mirror of his bedroom.
"Stop fidgeting," I tell him, walking over to smooth the collar of his shirt. "You look fine. You look like you own the place, which you do."
Percy catches my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips to kiss the ring. That's also one more thing he's been doing since two weeks ago: kissing my ring.
"I’m not nervous about how I look," he admits. "I’m scared of how they will take this. My father, especially. Why did we think it was a good idea to bring the two of them together after what happened between them?"
"They will have to be adults and suck it up." I tell him even though I'm afraid of their reaction as well.
"And your mother?"
I pause. "Again, they will both have to be adults. She's been in a terrible mood since your father cheated, so there's nothing we can really do that won't make her sad."
Percy wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. "We tell them together," he reminds me. "United front. If she starts spiraling, we shut it down."
"United front," I agree. "If she calls marriage a prison, I will squeeze your hand twice, and we get the check."
"Deal."
The restaurant Percy reserves is a neutral ground for all parties involved. Le Coucou is elegant enough to please my mother and expensive enough to please Richard.
When we arrive, my mother and Richard are already seated. They are sitting on opposite sides of the table and trying their best to ignore each other. I'm only happy that they're not screaming at each other.
"Finally!" Richard booms, standing up to clap Percy on the shoulder. "I was about to send a search party."
"Traffic was murder," Percy lies smoothly as he pulls out my chair.
"Hi, Mom," I say, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She makes no move to hide her blatant criticism of my outfit.
"You’re wearing black," she observes. "To a family dinner? It looks like a funeral, Adeline."
"It’s silk, Mom, and this is not a family dinner." I tell her, and she huffs.
We order wine and make small talk about the firm and the weather. Richard is in high spirits, talking about a hostile takeover he just orchestrated. Melissa sips her water, her eyes darting between Percy and me, trying to figure out why we called this meeting and why we arrived together.
Under the table, Percy’s hand finds mine, and he gives it a squeeze to signal that it's go time.
"Actually," Percy starts, clearing his throat. The table goes quiet. "We didn't just ask you here for dinner. We have some news."
Richard perks up with his wine glass halfway to his mouth. "News? Is it the firm? Did you land the tech acquisition?"
"It’s not the firm, Richard," Percy says. He looks at me, his eyes steadying me. "It’s about us."
He takes my left hand, which has been hiding in my lap, and places it on the table.
The emerald catches the candlelight, flashing deep green.
"We’re getting married," Percy announces.
Richard stares at the ring, and my mother stares at my face before Richard explodes.
"I knew it!" he roars, slamming his hand on the table in triumph. "I knew it! A Volkov and an Akilov! The dynasty is secure! Wow, you children, how did this happen? When did this happen?" He signals frantically to a waiter. "Champagne! The best bottle you have, no two bottles!"
I look to my mother for her own reaction. Her face has gone cold, and her lips are pressed into a thin, white line.
"Married?" she repeats, the word tasting like acid in her mouth. "You’re getting married?"
"Yes, Mom," I say, feeling my stomach knot. "We’re happy."
"Happy?" she scoffs. She drops her napkin onto her plate. "You’re twenty-six years old, Adeline. You just got your life back. You just got your freedom back from Mason, and now you’re going to shackle yourself to another man?"
"It’s not a shackle, Melissa," Percy says, his voice low and warning. "It’s love."
"Oh, please," she snaps, turning her glare on him. "I know your type, Percy. You’re charming, rich, and protective. It starts as protection, and it ends as control. You want a wife to put on a shelf. Someone to look pretty at galas and raise your heirs."
"Mom, stop," I say, my voice trembling with anger. "Percy isn't Dad, and he certainly isn't Mason."
"They’re all the same!" she hisses. "Men want one thing: to own you. You worked so hard to become a lawyer, to be independent, and now you’re throwing it all away to play house?"
"Mom, stop!"
She points a shaking finger at the ring. "That isn't a gift, Adeline. It’s a collar."
"Melissa!" Richard barks, actually looking shocked. "That is enough. This is a celebration."
"I won't celebrate her making the same mistake I did," she says, standing up abruptly. She grabs her purse. "I won't watch you ruin your potential because you’re afraid to be alone."
"I’m not afraid to be alone," I tell her, staring her down. The guts of her to try and rewrite my life right in front of me. "I was alone. I survived alone. I’m choosing this because I love him. Why can't you just be happy for me?"
"Because I know how this ends," she says bitterly. "Call me when the divorce papers are filed. I will recommend a good lawyer. Oh wait, you know plenty of them."
She turns and storms out of the restaurant, and we all sit there in the silence that follows her departure. Richard sighs and clears his throat.
"Well," he says as he picks up the bottle. "More champagne for us."
He pours a glass for me and then for Percy.
"Don't listen to her," Richard says, surprisingly gentle. "She’s bitter. But you two? You make sense. You’re a good team."
"You're not surprised?"
"Why would I be? The two of you have what your mother and I lacked. That doesn't excuse my cheating, I know, but I'm sure you understand what I'm saying."
"Thank you, Richard." I turn to Percy and squeeze his hand. "I’m sorry."
"Don't be," he says firmly. "We expected it. We’re a united front, remember?"
"United front," I echo and pick up my glass.
My mother’s words sting, but as I look at Percy, I know that she's wrong. Percy loves me, and that's all there is to our relationship.
"To us," Percy says, clinking his glass against mine.
"To us," I cheer.