Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 124

Audrey's POV:

I watched as Ethan practically dragged Daisy out of the room, his face a mask of controlled fury.

The door closed behind them.

An awkward silence settled over the room.

We rushed over immediately after receiving Dorothy's call.

Dorothy Thornton turned to Caspar, her elegant features arranged in an expression of mild disapproval.

"Caspar, really. You should have made it absolutely clear to that girl that she has no chance with you. Look at what it's led to—her showing up here, trying to convince me to intervene."

She shook her head, silver-streaked hair catching the light.

I forced an awkward smile, not quite knowing how to respond.

Dorothy was clearly unaware that I had let Daisy stay overnight at our place yesterday despite Caspar's attempts to stop me.

"Poor Audrey, having to deal with such nonsense," Dorothy continued, patting the seat beside her.

"Come sit with me, dear."

Caspar sighed, spreading his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Yes, Grandmother. It's all my fault. I should have been clearer."

The look he gave me was one of amused resignation.

"I've always wanted to meet you formally," Dorothy said, taking my hand in hers. "What a journey you two have had! "

My eyes widened slightly as the realization hit me—Dorothy knew about the identity switch.

I glanced at Caspar, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Dorothy's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"A fortunate case of mistaken identity that brought you together, wouldn't you say? Though I suspect fate had a hand in it all along. Some things are simply meant to be, no matter how circuitous the path."

I felt heat rising to my cheeks. "It was... unexpected."

"The best things often are." Dorothy reached out and patted my hand.

"When are you two planning to make it official again? A proper ceremony this time, I hope."

The question caught me off guard.

"I... we haven't really discussed it."

Given my current situation, marriage was the furthest thing from my mind right now.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Caspar's expression darken, his eyes momentarily losing their light.

"Well, you should have a good discussion about it."

Dorothy continued, oblivious to the tension her question had created.

"And children? Noah is wonderful, of course, but have you considered giving him siblings?"

The room suddenly felt airless.

"I can't have children," I said.

The words leave my mouth before I could think better of them.

Dorothy's eyebrows rose slightly, surprise flashing across her elegant features.

"I... had some complications a few years ago," I added quietly, not wanting to elaborate on the truth behind my statement.

"The doctors said it wouldn't be possible for me."

Dorothy recovered quickly, her expression softening into one of understanding.

"My dear, that's hardly important," she said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

"These things happen. Besides, you already have Noah. That sweet boy adores you—you're already his mother in every way that matters."

I managed a tight smile and a nod.

The conversation drifted to safer topics after that—Dorothy's charity work, my art, Noah's progress at kindergarten.

When we finally said our goodbyes, I felt emotionally drained.

The drive back to the Thornton estate was quiet.

Caspar's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white.

I stared out the window, watching the familiar landscape pass by in a blur.

It wasn't until we were inside, with the door firmly closed behind us, that he finally spoke.

"Have you ever considered marrying me, Audrey?" His voice was carefully controlled, but I could hear the tension beneath it.

I stood frozen, unable to formulate a response.

Being with Caspar and Noah felt like living in a beautiful dream.

Every morning I woke up expecting it all to disappear, for reality to come crashing back in.

How could I promise forever when I didn't know how long I had to give?

"Not being able to have children is also an excuse you use to deal with Grandma, right?" he asked when I didn't answer.

"I didn't lie," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "I can't have children."

"Can't or won't?" he pressed, stepping closer.

"It's the truth. And if that's a problem for you, if you need a woman who can give you more children, then maybe we should end this now."

The words came out harsher than I intended, almost defensive.

Caspar's expression hardened.

"How easily you talk about ending this," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Is that what you want? To walk away at the first sign of difficulty?"

I shook my head, frustration building.

"I know how these things work, Caspar. Family dynasties like yours need heirs. You have a massive empire that will need to be passed down."

"And what does that have to do with us? We already have Noah."

Caspar took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself.

He ran a hand through his hair, collecting his thoughts before speaking again.

"Will you marry me, Audrey?" he asked directly, his eyes intense but vulnerable now.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his question.

"I understand why you're asking, Caspar. Noah needs a mother figure, and he's attached to me. But—"

"Is that what you think about?" He interrupted me, frustration creeping back into his voice.

"That I'm proposing because it's convenient for Noah? Because I need a mother for my son?

"Isn't it?" I challenged, though my voice lacked conviction.

"Of course not," Caspar said firmly, taking my hands in his.

"This is because I'm falling in love with you, Audrey Lane. Just you. Not anything else."

His eyes held mine, intense and unwavering.

I stood there, speechless, feeling the sincerity of his words wash over me.

"I can't make promises right now," I said softly. "And I can't accept them either. Let's just... take it one day at a time, okay? See where this goes."

I'm afraid I can't be with them till the end.

Suddenly, Caspar pulled me into his arms, his embrace firm but gentle.

"No marriage? Fine," he murmured against my hair.

"Just stay with me, Audrey. That's all I'm asking."

His arms tightened around me.

"I'm not letting you go. You should know that about me by now—when I decide something is mine, I hold on to it."

There was a possessiveness in his voice that should have alarmed me, but instead, it made me feel a strange warmth.

"One day at a time," he repeated, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

"If that's what you need. But remember this: I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not letting you go either."