Chapter 67 The Family Dinner
It was Sunday, we were watching the show on the LED. To me, nothing existed beyond that, me in his arms, a bowl of popcorn on my lap.
The doorbell rang when we were busy and I mentally cursed whoever it was for breaking our rhythm.
From the intercom, we came to know it was Vince’s parents and the mention of his mother made my blood run cold, it frightened me as I instinctively held onto his arm.
“It's alright.” Vince smiled, giving me a reassuring look before the main doors opened and his parents emerged.
His father, standing tall and stoic, with his mother beside him.
Her usual mask of cold, high-society disdain was gone, the pride had been vanquished, replaced by something that looked suspiciously like humility.
Her eyes were low but I could no longer trust her. Not after the beating and lies.
"Vince," his father nodded sternly, sparing a glance at us, "We need to talk."
Vince stood before me like a shield, his arms providing me a safety and smoothness that made me hold my head high even if I was tense.
"Vince, please, I am sorry, I am so sorry," His mother stepped forward, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
“You hurt Alyssa, Mama, not me. If you should apologize to someone, it’s her.” Vince’s clear-cut voice came.
She looked at me, her eyes searching for mercy I wasn’t sure to provide.
“Alyssa, I am sorry, I... I behaved poorly. I was protective of my son, but I see now what you mean to him. I want to apologize. I want a chance to make it right."
I looked at him, my gaze wide and uncertain. I was a woman who had just lost one family, I was desperate for the warmth of another. Especially if it was Vince’s.
I wanted everything in our world to be… perfect.
"I will accept whatever decision Vince makes," I enunciated, passing Vince a faint smile, "He knows what's best for us."
I knew the weight of my trust was substantial, it astonished Vince but he cleared this throat and turned to his mother.
For a moment, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes, I wondered if even the coldest hearts could crack.
"I’ll forgive you. But let me be clear." He started sternly, tightening his grip on me before continuing in a low, warning tone.
"You stay away from the shadows of her past. You don't hurt her. You don't even breathe a word that might upset her. If you get too close, if you overstep, you lose me forever. Do you understand?"
Mrs. Lysander nodded fervently, a relieved sob escaping her. "I understand. Thank you, Vince."
"We’re hosting a family dinner on Friday," Uncle added.
"The whole family will be there. We want to celebrate the two of you properly. No business, no drama. Just family."
My eyes lit up, squeezing his hand in delight, to fathom the moment I will be accepted. I wanted this. I wanted to believe the world was as beautiful as his promises..
"We’ll be there," He enunciated.
As they left, I threw my arms around his neck, my face glowing with a sudden, radiant hope. I was beaming while grinning at him.
"Thank you, Vince. Thank you for giving us a chance. I’m going to be the best wife, I promise. I’ll make you proud at that dinner."
“I know you will, Alyssa.” he chuckled, kissing my nose.
Later, at dinner, his parents were being… perfect.
It was unnerving though.
I was with Auntie Dolly who was delighted to see me, “See. I told you this is the best decision, my dear.”
“You were right Auntie.”
Mrs. Lysander was showing me family heirlooms and laughing at the stories with a genuine-looking sparkle in her eyes. Maybe she had finally realized.
His father was actually engaged, nodding as I spoke about our hope for our future.
"You’ve done wonders for him, Alyssa," Mrs. Lysander said, patting my hand, "He’s finally found his peace."
I beamed, my cheeks flushed with wine and happiness. I looked at him across the table, our feet touching under the table with a playfulness.
"He’s my hero, Mrs. Lysander. I’d be lost without him."
“You’re thinking too loud again, sister-in-law,” a mischievous voice came from the other side.
I looked across the table at Draven. He was leaning back in his chair, rotating a wine glass.
Beside him, Cynthia rolled her eyes, pinching his cheeks.
“Ignore him, Alyssa,” Cynthia sighed.
“Draven thinks he’s the main character of every room he enters. It’s a side effect of being the second-born. No responsibilities, all the ego.”
“Hey! I have responsibilities,” Draven protested, pointing a fork at her.
“I’m responsible for making sure this family doesn't die of boredom. Vince is too busy being a brooding billionaire to tell a joke.”
Vince chuckled softly, “I’m not brooding, Draven. I’m observing.”
“Exactly! Brooding,” Draven countered, “Mama, tell him to stop ‘observing’ before he scares her.”
Vince’s mother laughed, a genuine, light sound that made my heart swell. She had been so attentive all evening, making sure my glass was never empty and asking about my favorite flowers.
“Leave your brother alone, Draven,”
Vince’s father raised his glass, his expression softened by the candlelight. “To new beginnings. And to the woman who finally tamed the lion.”
I forced a smile, raising my glass in a silent toast, marking this moment as my new beginning with a new family and I couldn’t be happier.
"Vince, darling," His mother said, standing up and clinking her spoon against her crystal glass. The table went quiet.
"We know we haven’t always been the easiest family to join. But we want to prove to you both that we are fully committed to your happiness."
She looked at his father, who offered a rare, knowing smirk.
"To make up for the past," She continued, her voice light and excited.
"We have prepared a surprise for you. Someone we know you’ve missed dearly. Someone who belongs at this table just as much as we do."
"He just landed this morning and couldn't wait to see his best friend," Mr. Lysander added.
My blood turned to ice. No.
My eyes widened as I caught the idea of ‘best friend’ he mentioned that induced a long lost dread I thought I killed from my heart long ago.
The doors of the dining hall swung open. A man stepped in, his coat still damp from the evening rain, a wide, easy grin spreading across his face as he scanned the room.
"I heard there was a party I wasn't invited to,"