Page 84 of When Love And Destiny Collide

"Wait a second," Marian’s voice calls out from behind us. "Let me give you a hug and a kiss."

"Bye, Mommy."

"I love you, Darling," she says, pulling Davey into a tight embrace, her voice softening with affection.

I stand on the porch, waving goodbye as Jon and Davey drive away, the warmth of their laughter lingering in the air. When I step back inside, I find Marian making herself at home, sprawled on the couch with a cup of tea cradled in her hands, her expression unreadable.

I settle into the armchair across from her, clasping my hands together as I prepare myself for the inevitable conversation ahead.

"I'm going to marry Lily," I declare, opting to lead with my strongest argument.

"That remains to be seen," she replies, her smile bright yet laced with a hint of challenge.

"Is there something you know that I don't?"

"Like what?" she asks, feigning innocence. "I just think Lily is too young to know what she truly wants. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes she’s not ready for someone like you—a commitment, a marriage, a child. She’ll end up breaking your heart."

"Where did this sudden interest in my love life come from?" I ask, narrowing my gaze as I assess her.

"I love you, Noah," she says softly, her eyes searching mine. "And I want you back."

"You don’t love me, Marian. You just love the challenge."

She smirks, undeterred. "Well, when she breaks your heart, you’ll know where to find me."

"Let me make this clear, just so there's no confusion," I begin, my voice steady. "Even if Lily breaks my heart into a million pieces, you and I will never get back together."

"Never say never," she replies, her smile unwavering.

"Let me ask you this," I say, holding her gaze, refusing to let her look away. "Why did you cheat on me?"

"It was a mistake," she whispers, her eyes darting to the side. "I regretted it and made that perfectly clear."

"Marian, I loved you," I continue, my voice steady. "For the first couple of years of our relationship, I believed we were happy. I thought I had found my soulmate—that we'd spend the rest of our lives together."

"Really? she snaps, her posture stiffening as her eyes harden. "Then why isshethe one wearing your family's ring?"

I pause, my gaze locking with hers. "When we visited Jon and Sharon the year we got engaged, I saw how different their relationship was from ours. Even then, I think I knew something wasn’t right between us. No matter how hard I tried to make you happy, it was never enough. My family's ring... it’s sacred. And deep down, I always knew you’d leave."

"I don't know why any of that matters anymore," she says, her voice cold, dismissive.

"It matters tome," I say, a trace of frustration slipping into my tone. "For so long after you cheated the first time, I kept asking myself—what did I do wrong? What didn’t I give you? What made you turn to someone else?"

"Why dredge up the past, Darling?" she replies, her voice dripping with a mix of sweetness and venom.

"Because after you left," I say, my patience thinning, "after a lot of self-reflection, I finally understood. You never loved me, Marian. And the only reason you're interested now is becauseI'm in love with someone else. You don't want me—you just don’t want anyone else to have me either."

"You are the father of my child," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "You are my husband. We’re a family."

"I'm not your husband, Marian. We stopped being a family a long time ago."

"You're splitting hairs," she snaps, her eyes narrowing as her frustration boils over.

"You can see Davey whenever you want," I say, my tone final, as if closing a chapter that’s long overdue. "But make no mistake—the next time you come to visit, Lily and I will be married. And I expect you to respect her as my wife."

"I’d like to take David with me back to London," she says, her words wrapped in the guise of a request but carrying the weight of a veiled threat.

"Absolutely not," I say firmly. "My son is not leaving the States unless I go with him. He’s about to start kindergarten. Maybe next summer, Lily and I can bring him to see you, but you’re not taking him."

---