Chapter 222

[ 872 words ]

Emilia’s POV

I was so startled the tray nearly slipped from my hands, the bowl of soup teetering close to the edge.

I spun around and found Sebastian right behind me, one eyebrow raised in that infuriating way of his. My face went stern. “What the hell, Sebastian? You scared me half to death. Do you always sneak up on people like some creepy stalker?”

He snorted and crossed his arms. “I’m the sneaky one? That’s rich, coming from someone lurking outside their in-laws’ door like a spy.”

I lifted the tray defensively. “I’m not lurking. I made Mom some soup and was about to bring it in.”

“Then why are you standing out here like a statue instead of knocking? Unless you’re doing exactly what it looks like. Eavesdropping.”

I shot him a glare. “They’re fighting. I didn’t want to walk in at a bad moment.”

“Fighting or not, standing out here with your ear to the door isn’t exactly appropriate, is it?”

I rolled my eyes. He had a point, damn him, but I wasn’t about to admit it. I raised my hand and knocked firmly. “Mom, Dad, can I come in?”

“Come in.” Titus’s voice came through, rough and tired.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, Sebastian right behind me. “Mom, I made you some soup. You should eat while it’s still warm.”

The sight stopped me cold. Mila was sitting on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face. My heart clenched. I quickly set the tray down and pulled out a handkerchief, pressing it into her hands. “Mom, please don’t cry. Whatever it is, we can figure it out.”

Sebastian moved past me toward his father. “Dad, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Titus’s voice was clipped, his jaw tight. “Nothing at all.”

Sebastian turned to his mother, concern crossing his face. “Mom, talk to me. What happened?”

Mila’s eyes flashed with anger. “Ask him! He thinks I don’t know why he’s been coming home late every night. But I’m not stupid. I know exactly what’s going on!”

My stomach dropped. Oh God. Was Titus actually having an affair?

“For the last time, Mila, I’ve been meeting old friends who just got back from abroad. We’ve been catching up over drinks. That’s all!” Titus’s voice rose in frustration.

“Drinks?” Mila’s laugh was bitter. “You never drink, Titus. You hate alcohol. So why now? Do you really think I’m that much of a fool?”

Before anyone could react, she grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. It caught him square in the face and knocked his glasses clean off his nose.

I stood frozen, my mouth hanging open. I’d never seen anything like it. The perfect, composed Mila Simons was coming completely undone.

“You’re being completely unreasonable!” Titus bent down, snatched up the pillow, and stormed toward the door. “Fine. I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight. You can stew in your paranoia all you want!”

The door slammed behind him, and Mila dissolved into sobs. I rushed to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Mom, it’s okay. Couples fight sometimes. It doesn’t mean anything. Dad loves you. He’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“You don’t understand, Emilia.” Mila’s voice broke. “He may act like he loves me, like he cares, but deep down he’s just trying to make up for what he did. No matter how good a man seems, they all cheat in the end. Titus is proof of that.”

I blinked. “Wait, you really think he…”

“I know him better than anyone.” She wiped her eyes hard. “Men can’t be trusted. Any of them. Not even my own son.” She turned to glare at Sebastian, who’d been standing silently in the corner. “Emilia, you need to keep a close eye on this one. Once they go wild, there’s no reining them back in.”

Sebastian’s face darkened. “Mom, what the hell does Dad’s behavior have to do with me? Are you seriously dragging me into this because you’re jealous I have a good relationship with my wife?”

“I’m just telling her the truth,” Mila snapped. She turned back to me, her expression dead serious. “Men are all the same, Emilia. Take Sebastian. His freshman year of college, he went to a business dinner with his father. Got drunk and slept with some random girl at a bar.”

My jaw dropped. I turned slowly toward Sebastian, who looked like he’d been struck by lightning. His face had gone pale, his eyes wide with panic.

“Mom!” he practically shouted. “Are you trying to get me divorced again?!”

He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me toward the door. “Come on, we’re leaving. My mother’s clearly lost her mind.”

I yanked my arm free and fixed him with a look cold enough to freeze lava. “Oh, we’re definitely talking about this later.”

Then I turned back to Mila, keeping my voice calm and soothing. “Mom, it’s okay. Just breathe. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I stayed with her another twenty minutes, rubbing her back and murmuring reassurances until her tears finally eased and her breathing evened out. Only when I was sure she’d calmed down did I get up to leave.

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