No. We’re talking about it now…
Charlotte's POV
"Are you even listening to me?" Mum stood with her hands on her hips, a large blue suitcase beside her, frowning right at me.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you." I waved her off with one hand, eyes still glued to my phone.
I can't wait to have you to myself tonight.
Luther’s message lit up the screen, his name followed by a red heart.
"What’s got you smiling like that?" Mum raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly, trying to peek at my phone.
"It’s nothing! And stop being nosy, Mum. Seriously." I quickly slipped the phone into the side pocket of my blue cargo trousers.
"I thought you'd be crying by now," she said, watching me closely.
"Because you’re flying off for your honeymoon?" I laughed lightly.
"Come on, Mum, I’m not a little girl anymore. And when you get back, you’ll be living at Stanley’s place, hubby’s house, should I say?" I teased, wiggling my eyebrows.
She gave me a playful slap on the shoulder.
"I just don’t get how you’re okay staying here alone now. A few weeks ago, you got so angry when I didn’t come home. Are the bad dreams gone or what?" she asked.
I rolled my eyes. That earned me another, slightly stronger, slap on the arm.
"I won’t be alone. Kate and Loveth are staying over till you return. Their parents even offered to help out. And about the dreams… I’ll be alright."
If only she knew I’d been counting down the hours to see Luther tonight.
"And Stanley asked Luther to check in on you three now and then," she added, completely unaware of the irony in that sentence.
Then her tone changed. Her face grew serious.
"Before I forget, about moving in with Stanley," she said quietly, reaching for my hand.
"Come sit for a moment."
We both sat on the couch. Stanley had just stepped out to grab a few things, though I knew he was giving us space to say goodbye. I was starting to see him differently these days, more like a responsible man. Someone I could maybe learn to accept, even if he’d never be Dad.
"Listen, sweetheart," she began gently, holding my hands in hers. "Stanley and I talked about where we’d live after the wedding. You know you’re a part of me, always will be."
"I know," I replied, giving a small nod.
"So yes, I’m moving out. But… you’re coming too. We’ll be renting this house out."
My eyes narrowed, and I tilted my head. "What do you mean with me?"
"Mum, I’m an adult. I’m in university now," I said, pulling my hands away and shifting to the other end of the couch. My chest tightened. I couldn’t believe she was actually serious.
"You’re just twenty-one, Charlotte. I can’t let you live here on your own," she said firmly, her face calm but strict.
"Don’t confuse me being okay with Stanley for being careless, Mum. But I’m not leaving Dad’s house to go live in someone else’s," I snapped back.
"And the fact you even decided this without asking me, seriously? You should’ve talked to me first."
I tapped my foot against the rug and let out a breathy laugh. I wasn’t sure if I was more hurt or angry. Maybe both.
“Why would I? I’m your mother. You’re under my care, my protection, and yes, my rules. Don’t think for one second this is up for discussion. My decision is final, Charlotte.”
I stood up straight away, lips pressed into a tight line.
“So let me get this straight, Mum.”
“You don’t care what I think, as long as you get to enjoy your new life with your husband, right?”
I tilted my head slightly, watching her carefully.
She sighed and looked away. “How about we talk about this when I get back?”
“No. We’re talking about it now…”
“Ladies,” Stanley’s voice cut in as he stepped through the front door, saving Mum from finishing her sentence. “Your flight’s in an hour, and traffic could be bad.”
Of course, he’d been outside the whole time. probably waiting for the right moment to step in.
“Right, wouldn’t want you missing your honeymoon,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I avoided looking at Mum.
“Well,” Stanley added, “Luther’s waiting outside.”
My heart skipped. Just like that, all the anger bubbling inside me softened. A strange warmth spread through me.
“Wait, Luther’s here?” I scratched the back of my neck, trying to stay calm, but I couldn’t hide the sudden excitement in my chest.
“He wasn’t supposed to drive us,” Stanley explained. “But he called a few minutes ago. Said it didn’t feel right making us take a cab when he had the time. Also mentioned he wanted you to come see your mum off and then ride back with him.”
“He wants me to come with him?” I asked, almost too quickly. My heart was pounding now. He hadn’t told me about this, maybe he wanted to surprise me.
“Of course.” Stanley’s eyes flicked to me with a knowing look. I bit my lip to hide the grin forming on my face.
“Then what are we waiting for?” I hurried toward the door, barely able to contain the bounce in my step.
“Is it just me, or did her mood just flip like a switch?” I heard Mum mutter as I stepped outside.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” I said to Luther with a little pout as he leaned against his car.
“I wanted to see your reaction.” His eyes dropped to my lips, then lifted back to meet mine.
“And?” I asked playfully, unable to stop smiling.
“Stanley ruined the surprise,” he replied with a smirk. He looked effortlessly good, tight white t-shirt, blue jeans, and fresh blue and black Jordans.
“I thought you two only got along during the reception for the guests’ sake,” Mum said behind me as Stanley opened the boot and loaded her suitcase along with a duffel bag.
“Now I see it wasn’t just an act,” she added, her tone hinting at something I didn’t want her to dig into.
“We had a proper chat during your dance,” Luther said casually. “Remember asking where we’d disappeared to? We were just having an important talk.”
I bit back a laugh. More like fooling around like wild teenagers, I thought.
“What was that?” Stanley asked, turning toward me.
“She said we were trying to get along… like old buddies,” Luther quickly answered, throwing me a quick glance and opening the car door.
“Oh. I thought I heard something else.” Stanley gave me a look, a weird, and I felt my stomach twist for a second.
“What?” Luther asked once we were all inside the car.
“Nothing,” Stanley said, brushing it off. “Maybe my ears are playing tricks.”
“I thought you two would still be at each other’s throats,” Mum said, buckling her seatbelt. “I’m surprised you’ve managed to put the past behind you. But I’m glad, honestly.”
Just then, her phone buzzed. A number she clearly didn’t recognise flashed on the screen. I noticed the way her body tensed. She didn’t answer, just pressed ‘decline’, then placed the phone face down on her lap with a fake little laugh.
“Wrong number,” she said casually, but I caught the edge in her voice.
I couldn’t help but wonder, how did she know it was the wrong number if she didn’t even pick it up?
A strange feeling crept in, one I couldn’t shake. Something wasn’t right. I just hoped whatever she was hiding had nothing to do with my father’s case.
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