The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 119

Aveline

She turned to me with a pointed look. "Aveline, why don't we go to my room? Let Vivian get some rest."

I studied Vivian's tearful expression, trying to determine if this emotional display was genuine or another carefully orchestrated performance. But in the end, it didn't really matter. Whatever games she was playing, I wasn't afraid of her anymore. If she tried anything—anything at all—I'd destroy her without hesitation.

"Of course," I said with a gentle smile. "Get some rest, Vivian. Maybe you can tell me about those stray dogs tomorrow."

In Grandma Eleanor's room, I settled into the familiar armchair by her window while she bustled around, clearly preparing for what she expected to be a difficult conversation.

"Sweetheart," she began carefully, "I want you to know that I'm only looking after Vivian because she's pregnant and alone. It doesn't change how I feel about what she did to you, or how much I love you."

The uncertainty in her voice broke my heart. I stood up immediately and pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Grandma, how could you even think I'd be upset about that?" I said firmly. "If she really is pregnant and trying to change, then taking care of her is exactly what you should do. That baby deserves the best possible start in life."

I felt some of the tension leave her shoulders as she hugged me back.

"You're such a good girl," she murmured. "Now, tell me about today. How did the meeting go?"

I settled back into the chair with a satisfied smile. "Better than I expected, actually. Much better."

"Did you get your divorce?"

"Not quite yet, but we're on track. He asked for one month to handle some personal matters." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "It turns out one month from now will be the anniversary of his mother's death. She was the person he loved most in the world, and he wants to use this time to honor her memory by making proper amends to me."

Grandma Eleanor's eyes immediately filled with tears, her hand flying to her heart. "Oh, sweetheart... his mother's memorial day? That poor, dear boy."

"According to him, she was horrified by the whole marriage contract situation and made him promise on her deathbed to find me and apologize properly. He said she felt terrible that their family had taken advantage of a desperate teenager."

"Oh my," Grandma Eleanor whispered, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. "What a burden that young man has been carrying all these years. To lose the person you love most and know she died disappointed in your family's actions..." She shook her head, clearly moved. "That's the kind of guilt that can destroy a person's soul."

Watching my grandmother's emotional reaction, I felt my own heart soften even further toward my mysterious husband.

"What was he like? In person, I mean?" she asked, composing herself.

"Honestly? Nothing like I expected." I found myself smiling as I remembered Sebastian's careful courtesy, his respectful distance. "He was... gentle. Respectful. He didn't try to justify what happened or make excuses. He just acknowledged that his family had wronged me and asked for the chance to make it right."

"And you believed him?"

"I did. There was something in his eyes—this genuine sadness and regret. He wasn't trying to charm me or win me over. He just wanted forgiveness."

Grandma Eleanor nodded slowly, wiping away another tear. "You know, sweetheart, it sounds like this young man has spent the last six years feeling as trapped by this situation as you have. Just in a different way. And to want to honor his mother's memory by doing right by you..." She pressed her hand to her chest. "That shows such a beautiful heart."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. He was probably just as young and powerless when his family arranged this marriage. And if his mother was the only one who questioned it, he may have been living with guilt and shame all this time, wanting to reach out but not knowing how. Now he's found the courage to face you, driven by love for his mother's memory."

I considered this perspective, surprised by how it shifted my understanding of the situation. Seeing my grandmother so moved by his story made me realize just how noble his actions really were.

"So you think I should stop hating him?"

"Honey, I think you should drop this whole marriage mess and start thinking about your love life!" Grandma Eleanor said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're young, beautiful, and about to be free. Time to have some fun!"

"Grandma!" I felt my cheeks heat up. "What love life? I don't have time for romance!"

"Oh, don't give me that." She waved her hand dismissively. "Besides, from what Vivian's been telling me, you've already got someone very interested. That Orion fellow who's been looking out for you."

My stomach did a little flip. "What has Vivian been saying?"

"Well, she mentioned he was the one who rescued you from that kidnapping situation. And apparently, he's the reason that awful Dwayne disappeared so quickly—took care of that problem real fast." Grandma Eleanor's eyes sparkled with approval. "Sounds like a man who knows how to protect what's important to him."

I looked down at my hands, feeling heat creep up my neck. "He's... he's incredibly annoying. Arrogant. Self-centered. Absolutely infuriating and..." The image of him in that silk pajama shirt flashed through my mind, the way it had hung open just enough to show his chest. "And he's very... very..."

"Very what, sweetheart?"

I caught myself just in time. "Very irritating!"