Chapter 30 Convincing Them
When Alyssa was gone, hanging my head low with exasperation, inclined on the couch, rubbing my temples.
Draven served as support in the middle to convince Mama.
Dad held the same expression as me while Mama was fuming with wrath, losing her mind and pointing her finger at me outrageously.
“Draven, make your brother listen, why is he doing this?”
“What’s the problem with Alyssa, Mama? He has married her respectfully. She is his life partner. You guys must accept it,”
“How can I?! When she hit my son?”
“When Ken turned out to be an asshole, I extended my hand for help. When things went this far, I don’t know,” I started speaking in a low tone.
They turned to me slowly but the displeasure was transparent. Her jaw was clenched, hissing at me.
“I don’t care, I want that woman-”
Before she could disrespect Alyssa and stop her, Dad interrupted and stood beside her, holding her shoulder to refrain from speaking so ill of her.
“Enough, Harper,”
“But, Walter-”
“It is hard for me to accept this marriage too but it is a decision between two adults, fully aware of the consequences of their actions.”
“Oh, thank goodness you understand,” Me and Draven exhaled in relief at the same time.
Getting up, I almost turned to leave for my room, my head was bursting due to the constant yelling from Mama and required some relaxation.
As I rose, Dad called strictly, “But,”
“But what?”
“Why did you go that far just for her? Why try to stop the marriage, help her? If you had feelings for her, why not confess before?” He asked, intrigued to find where I would lead this marriage.
But, it wasn’t as complicated as they thought.
Giving him a stoic look, I shook my head, “It’s nothing like this, Dad,”
“What do you mean? What made you do this? Why be so hopeless for a stranger-”
Averting my gaze with glimpses of that traumatic time flashing, I made a rigid yet powerless fist.
My throat dried with disheartening feelings, confessing the true reason behind this marriage.
“I saw her in the same position as Lucia, and I couldn’t help myself but to… save her from her miserable fate.”
“...What?”
To say they were shocked would be an understatement.
Yet it softened them immediately.
“Yes, I just didn’t want her to have the same outcome as her. Fighting the world, being abandoned and eventual demise,”
“But, what happened to her was different, she made some stupid mistakes-”
Mama tried to whisper, coming closer to hold my shoulder for compassion but I stepped back, hissing in return.
“It ‘is’ the same, Mama,”
She opened her mouth but I didn’t let her speak.
“And don’t you dare to stand with the world- Oh, sorry, you did.”
“Because your sister was always wrong,”
I always hated how they chose to not mention her at all while mourning from inside.
They prioritized their values and this world over their daughter after all. I doubted they would comprehend my position.
“And that’s why I wanted to ensure Alyssa won’t have the same result and for that, I will become a better man myself,” I enunciated firmly.
“All this to… save her because you couldn’t help Lucia?”
“.... Yes, Dad,”
Unwillingly, my lips began to shake, the horrifying sight when she almost jumped in front of the truck flickered.
My body shivered, not wanting to imagine another death due to unendurable heartbreak. I won't let history repeat itself.
“I saw her there, same blind love, same fighting everyone, same… depression. I can’t witness it again,” I told them in a broken voice.
“Oh Vince, my son, why didn’t you tell us before?” Dad asked sorrowfully, pulling me into a hug instantly.
“I.. wasn’t sure,”
“Oh, if you had told me before I wouldn’t have… caused this uproar, I am so sorry, Dear,” Mama also came to the other side, rubbing my arm for assurance.
Taking her hand, I kissed it, having one request only.
“If you are truly sorry then accept Alyssa as the part of the family now, as my bride, that is all I could request,”
“Of course we will, I had no idea you had this reason behind this marriage….” Mama smiled, patting my back to not be vexed anymore.
I honestly didn’t expect them to melt but I guess the regret had also silently eaten them too. The real reason changed their perspective entirely.
“I am proud of you, my son,” Dad grinned, pulling away a little.
“Thanks,”
“Go, Alyssa must be scared. Reassure her, let her know we are here for her,” Draven added, giving me a look of approval.
“Sure,”
I couldn’t help but to smile peacefully when my family was convinced and willing to accept Alyssa as their daughter-in-law.
Deep down, I knew I would be able to accept her nonetheless but for that, I had to use my aim. I have to be more careful now.
After ending the argument with favorable terms, I went back to the room where Alyssa was worriedly waiting for me and rushed to my side when I arrived.
“Vince-! I-Is everything alright? Are your parents still angry? What should we do-”
Flashing an assuring smile, I held her shoulders to not panic and relax for now.
“I have convinced them. Relax. There is nothing to worry about,”
“What?” She blinked in disbelief.
“Yes. I told you, I am here, you don’t have to stress too much,” Smirking, I ruffled her hair before pulling away, holding my head high in pride.
“I…”
She shyly lowered her gaze, gripping her dress beautifully with a whisper that made my heart skip a beat.
“I wasn’t stressed, I was sad that you had to fight your family for me. But, I knew you will convince them somehow,”
“Really?” My eyes shone at her faith in me.
“Mhm,”
“And look, I did,” Chuckling, I plopped on the bed, gesturing to her to loosen up and not stress when I was here.
She sat on the couch, eyes intensely observing my majestic room, checking everything out while asking.
“So… are you supposed to carry that lie everywhere?”
“From now on, Yes,” I hummed, elbow on the bed as I rested my cheek over my palm to stare at her properly.
“You cheated on a better man and left that loser. I mean, let’s be real, what’s in him anyways?” I said cheerfully, hoping to lift her spirits.
“And we had a secret, forbidden relationship- How does that sound for a thrilling backstory?”
To my joyous smirk, her head shot towards me with incredulity.
“I thought you are a boring, cold, nonchalant type of man,”
“Then you are in for a surprise, Mrs. Lysander,”
“I am looking forward to it, Mr. Lysander,”
Giggling at my enunciation, she got up and waved her hand gracefully in the air, going back to her room to get ready for work.
My eyes followed the woman rising higher and higher once again.
Praying it reaches an unmatched level that no soul could throw her back to the ground again.