I'm Here
Seeing the look on my face, she quickly added.
“I’m not the mother-in-law who’s going to be in your face and your business twenty-four-seven. I just thought… since you’re getting to know the house, and I’m getting to know you, maybe we could spend some time together these first few days. But of course, if you don’t feel like it, that’s okay too. No pressure. I just don’t want you to feel neglected, like I’m not being a good host.”
I sat up straighter, unsure how to respond. “It’s fine, really. You don’t need to worry about me. I know you’re the First Lady... you have a lot on your plate. I don’t want to be a burden.”
She laughed gently. “No, you’re my daughter-in-law. I only have two sons, and I’ve already spoiled Bella rotten. I don’t think it’s so bad if I spend the rest of the day spoiling you, too.”
And she meant it.
I discovered my mother-in-law loved shopping and not the online kind. She took me out, hand in hand like we were friends. Lingerie, dresses, boots, you name it, we bought it. She whisked me to a salon, where we did our hair and our nails, and then even booked us a session at the spa. She didn’t spare a cent or a moment.
She gave me the day. An amazing day.
By the time I returned home, I was exhausted and relaxed, and for the first time in a long time, I’d managed to forget about the heavy cold reality waiting for me behind this house’s walls.
And I realized something else, something unexpected.
My mother-in-law was dope.
Not in a forced, trying-too-hard kind of way but in the most genuine sense. She was kind, present, warm without being nosy, and funny without even trying. She didn’t treat me like a burden or a duty. She treated me like family.
And maybe that was why, in the middle of all this mess, I kind of… loved her.
Just a little bit. And that little bit? Meant everything.
I was so tired, happy and so relaxed that day. I’d had way too much junk food, wine, sugary snacks, little pastries, you name it. I didn’t even bother thinking about dinner. I went straight to bed, collapsed on it, and slept like a baby. Deep, peaceful sleep. I didn’t even care if Cullen was home or if he was coming home. Honestly, he was the last thing on my mind.
And when I woke up the next morning, I was still in a great mood. His side of the bed was cold, as usual, but there was a dent. That told me he must have gotten in sometime during the night and left before I woke up.
I wasn’t about to let that ruin my good mood.
So I got ready and went downstairs, where I saw both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. I greeted them warmly, and to my surprise, Cedric—my father-in-law was genuinely nice. We had breakfast together like a normal family. After that, Cedric left for work, and my mother-in-law told me she’d be home all day.
Around ten, Bella showed up with Caesar. She'd bring him over to hang out as she usually did. I tried carrying Caesar, which, clearly, was not my strength because Bella couldn’t stop laughing at how awkward I looked. But it was fun.
Then came lunchtime, and once again, like clockwork, Cyrus walked into the house and called out with that same dramatic tone,
“Bella!... Mom! Where is my wife?”
The three of us laughed. Even Caesar, who didn’t really know what he was laughing about, joined in with his tiny giggles.
When Cyrus walked into the dining room and saw us already seated, he didn’t miss a beat. He kissed Bella. Kissed Caesar. Kissed his mom. Gave me a polite wave. Then sat next to his wife like he did it every day.
We all had a peaceful lunch together. When lunch was over, and they were getting ready to leave, Bella was heading back to her house, and Mrs. Cincinnati was carrying Caesar. They all started to walk out, and I thought I’d follow until Cyrus lingered behind.
Everyone else had already begun clearing the table, and I was about to leave when he raised a hand.
“Sorry,” he said gently, “can I talk to you for a moment?”
I froze. What could he possibly want to talk to me about that he needed us to be alone?
I paused, unsure, but nodded. “Sure.”
He waited until the last maid had stepped out of earshot before turning to me fully. His expression had shifted, no more teasing, no more theatrics. Just quiet seriousness in his eyes.
“I just wanted to check on you,” he said simply.
“Check on me?” I repeated, blinking.
“Yeah,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Look, I know Cullen isn’t exactly… present. And I don’t know how things are between you two, but I can tell when someone’s pretending to be okay.”
I swallowed. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, a little too quickly. “Everything’s fine.”
He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. “You know, I used to think I had everything figured out. Who I was going to marry. How life was going to go. But life doesn’t follow plans.”
There was something heavy in his voice... A hint of something unsaid.
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked softly.
He hesitated, then looked away briefly, before locking eyes with me again.
“Because I think… I think I was selfish and I messed up a lot of people's lives. I just want you to know my brother might act like an asshole but he is a good person.... at least a better person than me.”
I stared at him and thought, "highly unlikely."
He let out a breath. “ I just want you to know that if you ever feel lost, or alone in this family, I’m here. Not in a weird way,” he added quickly with a crooked smile. “Just… here. As someone who understands. We are family now.”
It was the kindest thing anyone had said to me in a long, long time.
“Thank you,” I whispered. My throat was tight, my chest aching in a way I didn’t expect.
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