Chapter 43
Dominic looked at Kevin and Zephyra’s smug expressions, feeling a mix of alienation and disdain. ‘Do they really believe Audrey will ever kneel and apologize to them?‘ he muttered.
Unable to hold back anymore, Dominic snapped coldly, “Enough! Stop talking about it. Audrey will never apologize to you.”
Audrey had long stopped caring about being Mrs. Hayes.
Seeing Dominic defend Audrey, Zephyra was sad. At the same time, a flicker of anger also appeared. ‘How can he still be standing up for Audrey?‘ she thought.
“You’ve been bewitched by that bitch. And now, you’re still protecting her,” Zephyra shouted, her voice laced with venom.
Hearing this, Dominic lowered his gaze, a bitter smile appearing. “I wish I could protect her, but it’s too late. She doesn’t want me anymore.”
Dominic was the one who’d been left behind. For a moment, he looked hollow, like all his strength had been drained, his eyes empty and shoulders slumped.
Zephyra failed to notice his pain. She only felt satisfaction and said, “Well, at least she had the decency to walk away.”
“After all,” Zephyra continued, “she’s no longer the Rhodes family’s daughter. You two are worlds apart. She should be out of your life.”
“Stop talking!” Dominic cut her off, pressing his hands to his ears. “It’s you two. You were always in my ear, saying she wasn’t right for me, planting doubts.”
Dominic continued, “You say you support everything I do, but in reality, you’re always trying to control me!”
It was his parents who kept whispering to him that Audrey was unsuitable, that her family was beneath theirs, that she didn’t belong at his side.
Each of those memories now cut into Dominic like a knife. He felt his chest tighten as he whispered, his voice trembling, “I’m so done. If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t have held back with her, wouldn’t have pushed her away. We could have had a future together!”
But now, that hope was gone.
Zephyra and Kevin both stared at him, momentarily stunned into silence by his outburst.
Meanwhile, Alistair received a call from Willowdale. It was his mother, Evelyn.
Evelyn’s voice was gentle yet tinged with urgency. She asked, “Alis, what’s this marriage certificate you posted about? Are you married? Who’s your wife? Why didn’t you tell me about something so important?”
Audrey rolled around on the couch, hugging her blanket and thinking, ‘Alistair has announced our marriage publicly; maybe I should make a move
too?‘
Audrey thought of posting on Instagram but quickly realized she didn’t have a private account. Her current account still had mutual friends of Dominic’s, and posting now would likely stir up endless questions.
Imagining people assuming Alistair was a gold–digger, like Sophie had, made her reconsider. So, Audrey decided against it, yet she couldn’t shake the nagging sense that she should be more upfront.
To ease her guilt, Audrey climbed out of bed and went to the kitchen to heat some milk for Alistair. He’d been working so hard, so she should check on him, as any good wife would.
Standing outside his study, Audrey paused, hand raised to knock, but stopped when she overheard the conversation.
“Mom, I didn’t mean to keep the marriage a secret,” Alistair said calmly.
Audrey’s hand froze mid–air. She knew she should walk away, but her feet wouldn’t move, and she found herself listening.
Unaware of her presence, Alistair continued, “I married because of Sunny. He’s my son, and I’ll always be responsible for him. I don’t take marriage lightly.”
Evelyn sighed. “You’ve only been in Riverdale for a few days and got married? How can I believe you?”
Alistair pressed his lips together in silence.
“Fine,” Evelyn continued, “I know you’re a grown man and always have your reasons. But about this girl, you have to tell me something, at least.”
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