Chapter 7
Just after I finished doing this, Frederick knocked on the bedroom door, his usual calm demeanor intact. His voice was soft, almost soothing. “You might want to get up and get ready. I’m taking you to your parents‘ place for dinner.”
Mr. and Mrs. Cortez were the type to value romance and freedom, so after our wedding, they’d hurried off to travel the world, claiming it was to give us space to build our own life together. Tonight, they were hosting us at their house for a family dinner.
I quickly freshened up, applying just enough makeup to look presentable and we drove over together. The house I grew up in was warmly lit, the garden well–tended, as always. My mom’s face lit up the moment she saw us walk through the door. Her smile grew even broader when she noticed the array of gifts Frederick carried in.
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“You two didn’t need to bring all this!” she exclaimed, though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her excitement. “We‘ re family now–what are you doing treating us like strangers?”
Frederick chuckled lightly, setting the gifts down on the table. “It’s nothing, really. I’d feel strange showing up empty- handed.”
The gifts weren’t just thoughtful; they were high–end, the kind that quietly spoke of good taste and attention to detail. My mom practically beamed and even my dad looked impressed. Dad invited Frederick into his study to discuss business, leaving my mom and me alone in the kitchen. As soon as the study door clicked shut, she leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “Daniel caused trouble at your place last night?”
I blinked in surprise. “How do you know?”
“I have a friend who lives near you. She
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came by this morning to ask what happened. That reckless man! You live in a high–end neighborhood and everyone knew it was your wedding yesterday. And then he’s yelling in front of your house like that? Doesn‘ t he think about what the neighbors will think of you?” The more my mom thought about it, the angrier she got. I could practically see steam coming out of her ears.
“What did Frederick say about it?” she asked, her concern clear beneath her frustration.
I shrugged. “Nothing. He didn’t even bring it up.”
My mom let out a heavy sigh. “That man is too good for his own sake. Listen, if Frederick ever seems upset about it, you have to calm him down and work it out. Don’t let that idiot Daniel ruin things for you.
Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. When she saw who was calling, her
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face tightened. It was Daniel’s mom. My mom didn’t have much patience left for them, but after over twenty years of friendship with the Rollins Family, she couldn’t ignore the call.
When she picked up, it wasn‘ t Daniel‘ s mom. It was Daniel himself.
“Mrs. McLaughlin, sorry to bother you at this hour. I just need to ask if you can help me get in touch with Lenore?”
My mom shot me a glance before sneering into the phone. “Daniel, if I’m not mistaken, you‘ re married now, aren’t you? What do you need to talk to Lenore about?“.
“It‘ s, um… it’s complicated. Please, Mrs. McLaughlin, I really need to talk to Lenore. Please, for the sake of our families‘ friendship, could you help me?”
At that, my mom’s patience snapped. “Daniel Rollins, if it weren’t for your
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face tightened. It was Daniel’s mom. My mom didn’t have much patience left for them, but after over twenty years of friendship with the Rollins Family, she couldn’t ignore the call.
When she picked up, it wasn‘ t Daniel‘ s mom. It was Daniel himself.
“Mrs. McLaughlin, sorry to bother you at this hour. I just need to ask if you can help me get in touch with Lenore?”
My mom shot me a glance before sneering into the phone. “Daniel, if I’m not mistaken, you‘ re married now, aren’t you? What do you need to talk to Lenore about?“.
“It’s, um… it’s complicated. Please, Mrs. McLaughlin, I really need to talk to Lenore. Please, for the sake of our families‘ friendship, could you help me?”
At that, my mom’s patience snapped. “Daniel Rollins, if it weren’t for your
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face tightened. It was Daniel‘ s mom. My mom didn’t have much patience left for them, but after over twenty years of friendship with the Rollins Family, she couldn’t ignore the call.
When she picked up, it wasn‘ t Daniel‘ S mom. It was Daniel himself.
“Mrs. McLaughlin, sorry to bother you at this hour. I just need to ask if you can help me get in touch with Lenore?”
My mom shot me a glance before sneering into the phone. “Daniel, if I’m not mistaken, you‘ re married now, aren’t you? What do you need to talk to Lenore about?“.
“It‘ s, um… it’s complicated. Please, Mrs. McLaughlin, I really need to talk to Lenore. Please, for the sake of our families‘ friendship, could you help me?”
At that, my mom’s patience snapped. “Daniel Rollins, if it weren’t for your
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parents, I wouldn’t have even picked up this call. My daughter is married now. If you have any decency left, you’ll leave her alone and stop trying to reach her. And if you don’t, don’t blame me for being harsh!”
With that, she ended the call, her face flushed with anger. Seeing her defend me so fiercely warmed my heart, even as a small knot of unease tightened in my chest. I thought Daniel was someone who valued his reputation. After a dressing–down like that, I figured he’d never dare show his face again. But to my surprise, later that evening, he showed up at our house, causing a scene.
“Lenore!” His voice rang out like a broken record. “I know you‘ re in there! If you don’t come out to see me, I’ll stay here all night and shout if I have to!”
My mom refused to let him in, but his shouting continued, his words slicing through the otherwise quiet night. The
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neighborhood had always been peaceful, so his behavior would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention and gossip if it went on much longer.
I shared my thoughts with Frederick about it. Frederick’s expression remained calm, though his eyes carried a glint of steel. Rather than stopping me, he said, “If he’s that insistent, maybe we should go out there and settle this ourselves.”
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