Rhett’s POV
I was furious to see Laurel’s stepmother and stepsister at my parent’s house and to top it all off, they had been visiting them for the past six months, and I wasn’t even aware of it. I didn’t bring Laurel over to my house for her to recall her past memories, I just wished she’d be happy without the thought and sight of them.
I finally decided to drop the news to my parents. I could see the clear shock on their faces as I announced my marriage to Laurel.
“What?” Anita asked, standing up in surprise. “Didn’t you reject her a year ago?”
“Uhm, yes I did but…” I was still speaking when my mother suddenly cut in,
“What do you mean ‘getting married’ Rhett?” She asked as her eyes widened in shock.
She glanced at Laurel who was staring at the floor, before returning her gaze back to me.
“Even given the history you’ve had with her mother and sister? And the whole chaos at the wedding?” She continued, her voice filled with concern.
I scoffed, “Mom, what does that have to do—“
“Son!” My father cut in, I could feel the seriousness in his tone. “Are you serious right now? Don’t forget what her family put us through.”
My father’s words gave me a flashback, and of course, he was right. I totally understood what he was saying and where he was coming from. After the revelation of Clara’s cheating a year ago, I ended the relationship instantly but the aftermath was devastating. The rumors went viral with paparazzi flooding our homes and offices, which had made the life of me and my family difficult. Clara’s family had also come begging shamelessly for us to take them back, which I now realized they must have been doing for the past six months.
I looked over at Laurel and I knew our relationship was different. She wasn’t anything like her mother and sister, and I just wished my parents could see that she wasn’t responsible for her adoptive family’s actions.
Anita, sensing the tension in the room, walked over to where Laurel was seated. Laurel was now peeling her nails out of nervousness and Anita held her softly, comforting her.
“Dad, Mom, come on,” Anita said, addressing our parents. “You know they aren’t her biological family, and they aren’t even on good terms. Didn’t you see what happened at the wedding? She’s totally not like them.”
Laurel raised her head, forcing a soft smile on her lips.
“I understand that the actions of my adoptive family have painted me in a bad light, but I want you to understand that I’m not like them or in support of any of their ways. I’ve suffered at the hands of their mistreatment years back and I’m also a victim of their evil deeds,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.
“But please, don’t let this come between me and Rhett. I want you to see me for who I am, not who my supposed ‘family’ has painted everyone from the Caddel family to be like, because of their behaviour.”
The room fell into silence as she spoke. I could see the sincerity in her eyes, and I knew for a fact she wasn’t the person her family’s name had tried to make her out to be. She was kind, resilient, and worthy of love. And I was determined to make my parents understand that, even if it was a fake marriage.
My mother rose from her feet. “Rhett, I can’t process everything that’s being said right now. Let’s talk another day,” she said with a stern voice.
“Me too,” my father followed suit, rising to his feet as well.
“Oh please, don’t be like this.” Anita pleaded, her voice filled with concern.
As they walked out of the room, I looked at Laurel and gave her a reassuring smile.
“I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, returning the smile. I walked behind my parents, till we reached their bedroom.
“Mom, Dad, please let’s talk this through,” I urged as I sat on the bed, facing them. “You know too well that I’ve never brought a woman home for marriage before. The relationship I had with Clara was arranged by you and her parents, which ended up turning out badly. But now the one woman I truly love and have brought over for marriage, you’re disapproving. Why? Just because of her adoptive family. A family that she didn’t even choose to be a part of.”
“Exactly, Rhett! That’s the problem.” My mother said firmly, gesturing her hands. “You want to marry the sister of your ex-girlfriend, the one who brought shame and difficulty upon you and your family. Why aren’t you seeing the wrong in this?”
“And I’ve stated several times that she isn’t like her family! Please try to understand this Mom,” I pleaded.
I turned to my father. “Dad, please try to understand what I’m saying. I love Laurel, and I do not care about her past history or what her family is like. She’s also cut ties with them if that’s what you’re worried about.”
My father heaved a sigh. “We’re just worried about you, son, what if history ends up repeating itself?”
I met his gaze with determination. “That will never happen, but even if it does, don’t you worry; I’ll handle it.”
“Viv,” that’s what my father calls my mom. “He’s never asked us for something this desperately before. Let’s do this for him,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
My mother looked at him with disbelief. “So, you’re just going to let your son marry into that family? Have you forgotten everything we had to go through because of them?”
She turned to me. “And you keep saying Laurel isn’t like them. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, you know.”
I paced around the room, frustration building inside me. “I don’t know how many times I have to explain to you, Mum. But I’ve always listened to you and not this time. I’ve made my choice, and I’m getting married to Laurel. Expect to see the wedding announcement in the media tomorrow.”