Since youve already gotten the marriage certificate , you should live a good life from now on , Mom said .
I kept my head down , bracing myself for a lecture .
But when my moms voice reached my ears , I froze momentarily .
Slowly , I lifted my gaze , my mind going completely blank before the scene in front of me finally registered .
Her eyes were warm , and she had a gentle smile .
She patted my hand softly before reaching for Alexs .
Seeing the contentment on her face , I stared in disbelief , my hands instinctively clasping together .
That was when I noticed the long , slender fingers intertwined with mine .
I hesitated , trying to pull away , but Alex held on just enough to stop me .
He stood up , his long lashes casting faint shadows over his eyes the kind of eyes that could make someone lose themselves .
My heart skipped a beat .
I was completely thrown off .
Why was Alex even here ? And how had he managed to get my mom who was usually so strict to accept him ? Has he hidden his real identity from her ? After all , our marriage certificate didnt say anything about his connection to Austin .
And Mom wasnt the type to spend her time scrolling through pointless news articles on her phone .
My mom preferred tending to her flowers , sitting under the sun with a book in hand , and enjoying her quiet time .
Even in the hospital , she still carried herself with that same grace and calm .
Then she looked at us with a satisfied smile , speaking with quiet seriousness .
You two should go do whatever you need to do .
You dont have to stay here with me .
When I get discharged in a couple of days , well have dinner together .
Alexs lips curved into a slight smile .
He said softly , Rest well , Mom .
Ill visit again soon .
I followed him out of the hospital room .
From the moment I stepped inside , Moms demeanor had barely changed .
If anything , she seemed genuinely happy to see Alex .
But that didnt make sense .
She had never been fond of men with overly handsome faces .
I still remembered the first time she saw Austin how she couldnt hide her concern .
Moreover , she had given me a heartfelt warning , telling me not to choose a husband based on looks or wealth .
What mattered , she said , was his character , his sense of responsibility , and most importantly his family background .
At the time , I didnt think much of it .
Austin and I had known each other since high school .
I thought I understood him well enough .
So his family situation didnt matter to me .
As long as we loved each other , nothing else should have mattered .
It wasnt until later that I realized things werent as simple as they seemed .
Austins parents had always seemed distant , and uninvolved in his life .
But that was only on the surface .
In reality , Austin had moved to Nifelheim City for college just to escape Amandas suffocating control .
Alexs voice pulled me out of my thoughts .
You dont want to let go ? I snapped back to reality and realized I was still holding onto his hand .
Quickly , I let go , looking at him in confusion .
You didnt tell my mom who you really are , did you ? What do you think ? Alex raised an eyebrow , his smile teasing .
You dont want me to tell her ? Are you scared ? The amusement in Alexs voice made it impossible to read his true emotions .
I studied his face , that impossibly flawless face .
For a second , I almost believed my mom had been charmed by nothing more than his looks .
But that wasnt like her at all .
She was never one to be shallow .
I frowned , irritation creeping onto my face .
Alex chuckled, looking entirely at ease .
Your mom approves of me .
And as for the things she wasnt supposed to know she knows .
So , you dont have to stress about it .
With that , Alex patted my shoulder casually .
Tomorrow night , youre coming with me to a party .
Ill have a driver pick you up .
Youll be staying at a hotel for now .
Before I could even react , Alex slipped a key card into my hand and walked off .
I stood there for a long moment , feeling completely unsettled .
What did he mean by the things Mom want supposed to know she knew ? My palms felt slightly damp as I clenched the key card .
Taking a deep breath , I turned around and walked back into the hospital room .
1/2 Chapter 33 Back so soon ? Didnt leave with Alex ? Bonnie glanced up at me .
I hesitated for a second , then sat down beside my moms bed carefully , lowering my head .
Mom , youre not mad at me ? Maybe she had just been holding back her anger in front of Alex .
After all , marriage wasnt something to be taken lightly .
You two are already married .
Whats the point of getting mad now ? she said calmly .
Hearing this .
So she was upset .
But then she took my hand and gave me a long look .
Hes the one you like , isnt he ? And its obvious he likes you too .
Marrying you like this , without hesitation , means hell treat you well .
I kept my head down , silent .
Mom thought Alex was the man I had feelings for .
But where did she even get that idea ? Alex must have said something .
I frowned slightly .
My mom was a simple person if she had been convinced , then Alex had really known how to play his cards right .
Listen , Laurel , she continued .
Austin hurt you , and I know things between you two are complicated .
But for Alexs sake , try to let it go .
Her voice was careful , as if there was more she wanted to say but wasnt sure if she should .
My brows knitted together .
Whatever Alex had told her , he clearly hadnt badmouthed Austin in front of her .
Bonnie spoke up before I could respond .
She knows .
Laurel isnt going to hold anything against him .
She is Austins elder now itd be ridiculous for her to stoop to his level .
Dont stay here .
If youre not feeling well , go back and rest .
Go back , Mom said gently .
Aunt , why dont you go home and get some sleep? I offered .
Bonnie gave me a sidelong look before grabbing my arm and tugging me toward the door .
I took some time off work to stay with your mom .
If you want to keep her company , youll have plenty of chances later .
I hesitated , then finally nodded .
I had told myself I would stay in Nifelheim City .
But now that I was married to Alex , would I still be able to ? In any case , whether I stayed in Nifelheim City or not , I would take my mother with me .
I would never leave her alone at home again .
As for Bonnie her daughter was about to graduate .
Shed probably stay in the city for work .
Bonnie pulled me aside with a sly smile .
Your mom really likes Alex .
That caught me off guard .
I asked , Shes not mad ? Shes never liked the Herrera family .
Bonnie laughed .
Whats there to be mad about ? Alex is the CEO of the Herrera Group .
Your mom didnt like Austin because he was a mamas boy .
But Alex ? Hes different .
If you marry into that family , hes the kind of man wholl actually protect you .
I stiffened , blinking at her .
Alex wasnt a mamas boy , that was true .
But he definitely wasnt someone to be messed with either .
