"She doesn't need anyone to tell her that Valerie is my wife, she was there at our wedding".
Prince walked into the room with a walking stick , I went and helped him get to a seat.
"Are you serious now Prince,... this has to be a joke.... you can't settle for..... that".
The mother whispered but I could still hear her, I bowed my head, and faced the floor.
"Well I am serious, you can now stop talking about it not like your opinion mattered anyway".
"Really! Yeah I know you do hate me Prince, I am not your birth mother and you think I know about her death and then accepted your father's proposal just a month later but please I am trying at least, you didn't even care to talk to me about taking a bride and her?"
She gave me a distasteful look.
"Yes, what's wrong with her?"
Prince replied with his brows arched, he stretched out his hand, I knew he wanted me to hold him.
So I walked to him and held his hand.
"I am here".
"Please, don't get upset about…"
"It's okay..."I quickly replied, without letting him finish his sentence.
"Meet my step mother Debra".
I smiled at her awkwardly with a wave.
"Nice to meet you again ma'am".
His step mother was still staring at us in disbelief, and seemed to lack words.
"Debra, this is my wife Valerie".
Prince introduced.
Zoey clapped her hands like she just listened to a presentation.
I saw her roll her eyes then blinked.
"Whatever, so what happened baby?"
She spoke softly and examined his face, she really did care about him I guess.
Then she was staring at me like I stole from her.
"Are you the cause of this?"
She snapped.
My heart almost skipped at his question, my jaw dropped and I wanted to defend myself but nothing came out of my mouth.
"Golddiggers, did you set him up so you can take part of his wealth after his death? Is that why you deceived him to get married to you instantly? Maybe you will give it another try.."
"Debra!"
Prince who couldn't take it, stood up with his walking stick looking in the wrong direction.
"She is at your right, brother".
Zoey said calmly.
He looked to his right.
"How could you accuse her of that!".
He yelled with his throat hoarse then smirked "Well I am not surprised, a woman like you, what do you know about true feelings! You probably got married to that monster of a father for his money, you are the real gold digger, is that why you made him kill my mother so you can be her replacement!"
"Prince!"
I cautioned.
I slowly looked up to the face of his step mother, she looked like she would tear up any moment, her eyes were glistening wet, then she forced a smile and looked away to seal those tears.
"I know how much you hate me but yet I kept trying , pushing hoping one day you or Zoey will see me as a mother".
"You are not needed in our lives, trying is a total waste of time"
Prince replied brutally.
She chuckled sadly and looked up to meet my gaze. I looked away sadly, so embarrassed on her behalf, I felt bad about the way Prince treated her.
"Baby.., please apologise to her".
"Why should I, she got half of my father's wealth, she can go to hell, Zoey and I need no mother".
"I do need one, our baby will need a grandparent too".
I replied tartly.
"She seems to be a good lady, a victim of your father's waywardness and now she is here trying to be a family".
"She is right Brother, Debra has been trying to please us".
Zoey added softly.
Prince went silent, we all waited patiently for his final decision.
"I can give back the half your father gave me, I never asked him for it, I was surprised when his lawsuit told me about his will, I hate that he completely abandoned his kids".
She said softly.
"I may not be your mothers replacement but I want us to be family Prince, that's the whole reason why I didn't remarry".
"Baby…"
I went to him and held his hand.
He caressed mine with his fingers , I smiled softly at him.
"Fine, I accept you as a family ".
I was happy for Debra and Zoey looked so happy too. She ran and hugged Debra. I kissed Prince and whispered thanks to him, I am sure an active mother figure in his life will improve him too.
"Thank you darling I promise whoever did this to you won't go free, I will make sure of that".
She said to the Prince.
"The agencies are on the case , so don't worry".
Prince replied to her dryly.
"It was sweet Valerie who took care of him all this while, she also helped him recover faster, her words of encouragement and hope helped him get better".
Zoey added.
I am sure she's doing this to make me feel better because I can remember that I was in fact not an encouragement to Prince, I was the one breaking down every time, while Prince was the one doing all these for me, even when he was the person in the worst situation, all I could think of is sucide suddenly, now I feel so ashamed of myself.
His step mother came and hugged me, to my surprise.
"Thank you, I don't know how you did it, but I am sure he does love you".
I smiled back awkwardly.