You are marrying someone?
Charlotte’s pov
“You are marrying someone? Now? Just a few months after Dad was murdered? And after everything that happened to you too?” My voice rose as I stood up so fast. It felt like something took over me.
“You were the one who kept telling me to stop being alone. That I needed someone strong to stay with me. This is me doing exactly that,” my mother said without a single change in tone. She uncrossed her legs, stayed seated, and looked at me like everything was fine.
Her calmness made my stomach twist. It was the same expression she wore at Dad’s funeral. As if she had buried the feelings with him too.
“But I never told you to go and marry someone! The case is still open. The person who shot Dad is still out there, and you are acting like none of that matters!” I was not even dressed, but I could not stay in that house with her anymore. Not when she was doing something that felt like betrayal. How could she move on like this?
“So I should never smile again? I should keep mourning your father for the rest of my life? Is that what you want?” she asked.
I ignored her and climbed the stairs, needing to get my purse and get out of there. This house no longer felt like home.
“I am talking to you, Charlotte!” Her voice was louder now as she got up and came after me. She held onto my elbow and would not let me take another step.
I rolled my eyes at her grip, but she would not let go. “You are already judging me without hearing my side. That is not fair, and deep down, you know it.”
I looked at her hand, then at her face. Her eyes looked desperate now.
“What is not fair is what you are doing to Dad’s memory,” I said. “It is like he meant nothing to you. Like you have erased him already.” My voice lowered as his face came to my mind, full of life and laughter. My chest hurt.
“I could never forget him,” she said. “Even if I tried. But I also cannot stay stuck in a life that has ended. He is gone, Charlotte.”
She finally let go of my arm. Her shoulders dropped. Her face was no longer calm. Now, she looked broken.
“You think I have moved on too quickly, but you have no idea how much I miss him. Every single day, I miss him.”
“Then how can you get married? How long have you even know this man?” I asked, watching her body language shift. She looked around, searching for the right answer, but it did not come.
“About two weeks,” she said quietly, as if saying it loud would make it sound worse.
The air left my lungs. I stepped back like something had hit me in the chest.
“You are marrying someone you met just two weeks ago?” My eyes widened, and I stared at her, searching for a sign that this was a joke. Something to laugh at and forget.
“I love him,” she said quickly. “I do not need months or years to know how I feel. He makes me feel alive again and safe. I know it is sudden, but please, just meet him. Give him a chance. I know you will like him.”
She took both my hands in hers and looked at me with hopeful eyes, but all I could think about was how fast this was happening. It felt like she was running away from something instead of running toward someone.
“You were always the careful one,” I said. “Always the one who thought everything through. And now, this? I do not understand you anymore.”
There was a silence between us and it sat heavily between us. My father would have wanted her to live again, but this felt like something else. This felt too soon. Too sudden.
“I know this is hard to accept,” she said finally. “But even if I waited six or ten years, you would still be upset. That is the truth. I made my decision. I told you because you are my daughter. I wanted you to hear it from me, not because I was asking for your permission.”
She paused, and I could see her gathering her thoughts.
“This is what I…” she stopped mid-sentence. The doorbell rang.
Her face lit up. “He is here!” she said with a smile, her golden curls bouncing as she was ready to rush to the door like a young girl in love.
And just like that, the conversation ended. But inside me, nothing felt finished.
"Do I look okay? Is my makeup fine? What about this dress? Is it too short? Maybe I shouldn’t have worn this necklace. It looks…"
“Did you seriously bring your boyfriend to my dad’s house? Aren’t you even a little embarrassed?” I cut her off sharply, pulling my hands away from hers.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing or seeing.
"Don’t start…" she began, but the doorbell rang again, saving her from finishing.
She didn’t even glance at me as she smoothed her dress. It stopped just above her knees, showing off her long, elegant legs, something I’d always admired about her. As angry as I was, I couldn’t deny how attractive she looked.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. He really wants to meet you,” she said softly and walked quickly to the front door.
I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t sure how to feel. One moment I found out she was dating again, and the next, I was meeting the man she wanted to take my father’s place?
“Come in,” she giggled like a teenager after giving him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
I looked away in disgust. That should’ve been my dad beside her, not this guy. His hand rested lightly on her back as they walked toward me. I tried hard not to let my anger show.
“Charlotte, meet Stanley. Stanley, this is my daughter…”
“I heard you,” I cut in, coldly. I didn’t bother shaking his hand when he offered it. I crossed my arms instead, ignoring the warning look from my mum.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Charlotte,” he said kindly, his voice soft and gentle.
He didn’t look anything like my father. Maybe the only similarity was that he was around the same age. He had a neatly trimmed beard, unlike my clean-shaven dad. He was a bit taller than my mum but nowhere near as tall as my father.
“Did you even listen to what I just said?” my mother asked, her voice tight with frustration and a touch of sadness.
“Stanley’s younger brother is coming too. He really wanted to meet me before the wedding.”
The bell rang again. I sighed loudly, annoyed.
“He was outside taking an important call,” Stanley said, as my mum turned to answer the door again.
I folded my arms tighter, watching her disappear down the hall. I didn’t expect much, until I saw who walked in.
“You must be Sophie. I’ve heard so much about the woman driving my brother mad,” the man said smoothly. His voice was deep, calm, and confident. The way he spoke sent chills down my spine. He kissed my mum lightly on the cheek and held her hand with care.
“That’s enough, Luther,” Stanley said, stepping in protectively.
Luther’s eyes moved past him, straight to me.
His icy blue gaze made my heart jump. He looked younger than Stanley, maybe early thirties, but he was unbelievably attractive. He wore a black leather jacket, tight t-shirt, dark jeans, and boots. He looked like trouble, the kind that made your stomach twist.
“That’s my daughter, Charlotte,” my mother said, noticing where he was looking.
“Hi,” I stammered. My voice came out wrong, so I cleared my throat quickly.
“It’s great to finally meet you, Charlotte,” he said. Just the way he said my name, low and rough, made my knees feel weak.
“You too,” I replied, suddenly nervous. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
“I was going to cook something nice,” Mum said with a smile. “But Stanley thought we should go out instead.”
“Lovely. Now I have to go too,” I mumbled under my breath, earning a sharp look from her.
“Maybe we can have drinks after dinner,” Luther suggested, still half-looking at me. “I’d like to get to know my new family.”
“That’s a good idea! Go get dressed, sweetheart,” my mum said cheerfully.
I wanted to say no, but the words wouldn’t come out. I turned around and slowly walked upstairs. My legs felt weak. Just before I reached the top, I looked back, he was still watching me, his eyes fixed on my backside.
Just moments ago, I was furious about my mum’s new relationship. Now, I am flustered and confused… Because of a man who was about to become my uncle-in-law.
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