Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 117

Audrey's POV:

Margaret's eyes widened, darting between Caspar and me.

"Samuel... your husband?"

I nodded. "It's complicated, but yes."

Margaret's expression transformed into one of profound joy.

The Bailey family froze in collective shock.

Eleanor's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening to an almost comical degree.

Sienna staggered slightly, grabbing the back of a chair for support.

"That's—that's impossible," George stammered, his gaze darting frantically between Caspar and me.

"Samuel West is ... he's not... you can't be..."

"I assure you, it's true," Caspar stated calmly.

"And I think, Mrs. Bailey needs rest. Perhaps the family could step outside for a moment?"

"But—" George began.

"Now," Caspar's tone left no room for argument.

Once they had filed out, Caspar moved to stand beside me.

"Mrs. Bailey," he said, his voice gentle in a way I rarely heard, "I understand your concern for Audrey. She means a great deal to me as well."

Margaret's eyes suddenly clouded with confusion.

"But... Audrey mentioned before that you two had separated. That your marriage was..."

"Ending," Caspar finished for her, his voice low.

He glanced at me briefly before returning his gaze to Margaret. "That was true. But circumstances have changed."

"Our first marriage wasn't Audrey's choice. She was pushed into it."

His voice softened. "If we marry again, it will be different. I want her to walk into it with hope and happiness, not obligation."

Margaret's expression remained concerned.

"There's such a difference between your worlds, Caspar. The Thornton name carries expectations, pressures."

She reached for my hand. "Audrey has endured enough pain in her life. I couldn't bear to see her hurt again, even in gilded surroundings."

"I understand your concern," Caspar said, and his voice was earnest.

"But I give you my word that Audrey will always come first with me."

He paused, his next words carrying the weight of a solemn vow. "I won't let her get hurt again."

I stared at him, something warm and unfamiliar blooming in my chest.

Margaret studied him for a long moment before her expression softened into one of acceptance.

"Well," she said finally, "that's all I needed to hear."

She squeezed my hand, her eyes twinkling despite her fatigue.

"I think I can rest easier now, knowing you're in good hands."

I leaned closer, my voice soft but insistent.

"You need to take care of yourself, Margaret. You have to get better."

I swallowed against the tightness in my throat. "I need you to be there when I... when we get married. "

A gentle smile spread across her face, bringing warmth to her tired features.

"Well, I promise."

Her eyelids fluttered then, a wave of exhaustion clearly washing over her.

"I'm feeling quite tired now, dear," she murmured, her voice growing fainter. "I think I need to rest."

I hesitated, reluctant to leave her side.

"We could stay a little longer. I don't mind sitting quietly while you sleep."

Margaret shook her head slightly.

"No, no. The doctor said I need complete rest." She gave my hand a weak squeeze.

"Come back tomorrow when I'm stronger. We'll talk more then."

I could see how the conversation had drained what little energy she had.

As much as I wanted to stay, I knew she needed her rest.

"Alright," I conceded softly. "We'll go."

We had barely stepped into the hallway when Eleanor moved directly into our path, her face set with desperate determination.

"Mr. Thornton," Eleanor began, her voice pitched unnaturally high. "If I could just have a moment of your time—"

"Mother, don't," Sienna hissed, grabbing at her mother's sleeve.

Eleanor shook her off without even glancing in her direction.

"It's important," she insisted, stepping closer to Caspar.

Caspar regarded her coolly, his expression neutral.

He gave a slight nod, silently permitting her to continue.

Eleanor squared her shoulders.

"There's something you should know," she said. "Something about the original arrangement."

She glanced at me briefly before continuing. "It was Sienna who was supposed to marry you. "

Sienna covered her face with her hands, mortification radiating from her every pore.

Caspar let out a soft, humorless laugh.

"And this information is relevant now because...?"

Eleanor faltered, clearly thrown by his response. "I just thought... that perhaps... Sienna should be the one who is with you."

The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop several degrees as Caspar's expression hardened.

"So you believe you have the right to dictate who I should be with?"

His voice was soft but carried a dangerous edge.

"Do you imagine my personal relationships are subject to your approval or suggestions, Mrs. Bailey?"

Eleanor blanched, suddenly realizing the line she had crossed.

"No, of course not. I simply wanted you to know the truth about the original arrangement."

"The truth?" Caspar's eyebrow arched elegantly.

"You mean the truth about how Audrey ended up being offered in Sienna's place?"

His voice remained perfectly modulated, but there was an edge to it that made everyone in the hallway go very still.

"I've been quite generous in overlooking certain aspects of our families' past dealings, Mrs. Bailey. I consider my debt paid in full for your family delivering Audrey to me."

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "That was the only fortunate outcome of our arrangement."

Eleanor paled. George took a small step backward.

"Should you continue to cause difficulties for Audrey—or for me—I may become less inclined toward such generosity." The threat in his voice was cold.

"Do we understand each other?"

Eleanor nodded numbly, suddenly looking much older than her years.

Caspar guided me toward the elevator, leaving the Bailey family frozen in our wake.

---

The sleek black Bentley glided away from the hospital, leaving behind the tension.

We sat in silence, processing what had just happened.

"Thank you," I said, turning slightly in my seat to look at his profile.

His face remained impassive, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"For what, exactly?" Caspar asked, his tone neutral.

"For what you said to Margaret. " I hesitated, "about me."

A slight twitch at the corner of his mouth might have been a suppressed smile.

"I simply stated facts," he replied.

"Besides, now that I've officially met your grandmother, our relationship has been affirmed."

I opened my mouth to object, then closed it again.

The Bentley slowed to a stop in front of the imposing Thornton Group headquarters.

Caspar moved to exit the car, then extended his hand toward me.

I hesitated, eyeing his outstretched palm with uncertainty.

"I think... maybe we shouldn't make our relationship public here. "

His eyebrow rose slightly in question.

"It's just—" I fumbled for the right words.

"I don't want to be the center of attention."

Caspar withdrew his hand, his expression thoughtful rather than offended. "I understand."

Relief washed over me. I reached for the door handle, but before I could push it open, Caspar's voice stopped me.

"Audrey."

I turned back, finding his gray eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"Yes?"

"Will you be moving in today?" His question was casual, but there was anticipation beneath it.

I smiled, then sighed in resignation. "Yes, I suppose I will."

When I prepared to walk into the building, I caught sight of Caspar watching me, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.