Chapter 3

When I got home, my mom was out on the balcony watering plants. Hearing the door, she didn't turn around.

"Back already? Weren't you guys picking out wedding decor for the condo?"

I took off my shoes, sat on the couch, and stayed silent for a long time.

Sensing something was wrong, my mom put down the watering can and walked over. Seeing my face, her brows knit together.

"Did you two fight?"

"His mom wants to move in," I said.

My mom paused, her confusion turning into deep concern.

"Didn't you two agree to live on your own?"

"We did." My voice cracked slightly. "We went to look at the place today, and she threw a fit because I only set up the master bedroom and didn't leave a room for her. When I mentioned our agreement, she exploded. Called me damaged goods, said I wasn't worthy of her son."

My mom's face darkened completely.

She sat down across from me, crossing her arms, staring at the potted plant on the coffee table.

"What about Chase? What did he say?"

"He said that's just her temper, and told me to let it go."

My mom was silent for a very long time.

The sun slowly shifted onto her face, highlighting the gray hairs at her temples.

"Chloe," she said softly, "I don't want to control your life. But you need to think carefully. Do you really need to marry this man?"

I opened my mouth to say something, then swallowed it down.

Around nine that evening, Chase showed up.

Holding a bag of fresh fruit, he stood nervously by our front door, looking like a guilty little kid who had failed a test.

My mom opened the door, looked at him without a word, and walked back into her bedroom.

He set the fruit on the coffee table, sat beside me, and tried to take my hand.

I pulled away.

"Babe, I'm sorry," he pleaded softly. "I messed up today. I didn't protect you."

I kept my eyes on the TV, ignoring him.

"My mom left. I sent her back to her hometown," he said, edging closer to me.

"I told her straight up that your family bought the condo, and we have no right to push our luck."

That made me turn to look at him.

He wore a desperate, pleading smile, his dimples showing, eyes bright and hopeful.

"Seriously, I got into a huge fight with her," he raised his right hand. "I swear, I will never let her ruin our lives again."

"You promise?" My tone was still cold, but softening.

"I promise." He grabbed my hand again, and this time, I didn't pull away. "Chloe, you're the one I'm spending my life with. I won't let anyone make you feel small—not even my mom."

That promise cracked the wall around my heart.

I remembered him stepping in front of me to take those drinks, waiting late for me at the office, and the way the pharmacy bag dug into his fingers when he bought me medicine.

All those memories flooded back, burying the day's ugly scene beneath them.

"You better keep your word," I said.

"I will." He pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on my head. "I won't ever let you down."