Page 43 of When Love Changes Everything

The jab lands, but I refuse to let her see it. I straighten my spine and force my voice to stay calm. "If that was meant as an insult," I say, "I’m sorry to disappoint you. I love Mateo, and neither of us is bothered by our age difference."

Her smile spreads slowly, almost predatory. She is clearly enjoying the exchange. "You think that marrying him will change him?" she says, the mockery unmistakable. "Oh, darling," she purrs, tilting her head, "I think the one who’ll be disappointed is you."

"Look, Marian," I say, "The Mateo you knew—he was divorced, unattached, and out to have fun. He wasn’t looking for anything serious, and from what I’ve heard, neither were you." I pause, watching her eyes narrow slightly, but I press on. "The Mateo I know now is a completely different man. He’s not just someone who loves me—he’s someone who’s shown me, time and again, that he values commitment. He’s faithful, devoted, and willing to do whatever it takes to build a life together. The man I’m engaged to is someone who has learned from his past mistakes. And by mistake, I mean you, Marian." I pause, letting the words settle, watching her composure falter ever so slightly. "What happened with you was a mistake," I continue, my voice unwavering. "But Mateo isn’t the type to make the same mistake twice. He knows the value of what we have, and he will never take it for granted."

Marian’s expression remains unfazed as she lifts her hands in a slow, deliberate applause. "Bravo!" she exclaims, her voice full of mock admiration. "What a speech, darling. So heartfelt, so poignant... I almost believed it."

Her smirk deepens, and the air between us feels charged. The condescension in her tone is like nails on a chalkboard, but I refuse to let her see me falter.

"Marian," Lily’s voice breaks the standoff between us and reminds us we’re not alone. "Like I said, I don’t know when Noah and Davey will be back. I suggest you return to your hotel and call them later."

Marian’s smile widens, sending a chill down my spine. "Why leave when I’m having so much fun right here?" she says, tilting her head slightly, as though savoring the moment. "But, you're right. I think I will head back to my hotel room and give Mateo a call instead. He always comes running when I call. He and I need to get together and catch up. The last time I was here, we only managed to see each other a couple of times, and, well, the last time… we were interrupted."

Her gaze flicks to Lily. "He still owes me dinner," she adds with a sly grin, "and dessert. Mateo makes the bestdessert." The insinuation in her words clear.

"You're lying," I counter, my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my chest. "Mateo didn’t see you the last time you were here."

"Is that what he told you?" she asks, her smirk deepening. "Young people are so stupid. It would be sad... if it wasn’t so comical."

I refuse to let her see the impact her words have on me. I lift my chin, meeting her gaze. "I trust Mateo. He hasn't seen anyone else in six months. He's never cheated on me. Not then. Not now, not ever."

For a fleeting moment, her expression falters—a crack in the polished facade she wears so effortlessly. But just as quickly, it vanishes, replaced by that infuriatingly smug smile. Her eyes are brimming with an amusement that doesn’t just taunt—it dares me to rise to the challenge.

"Marian," Lily’s voice slices through the tension. "I don’t mean to be rude, but I think it’s best if you leave now—and call Davey later."

Marian lifts an arched, perfectly manicured brow with practiced precision. "Fine," she says, still looking at me. "I’ll leave—but not before letting both of you know that Mateo is going to be a daddy."

The words hit me like a freight train. My heart stutters, then seems to stop altogether. Blood drains from my face, leaving me cold, weightless—like I’ve been hollowed out in an instant. Stars dance in my vision, but it’s the void swallowing me whole that I notice most. Complete and utter emptiness. Numbness takes hold, coursing through me without mercy. The shock is deafening, drowning out the world around me. All I can hear is the relentless ringing in my ears as her words echo, over and over, tearing me apart.

Lily, still holding the door open, doesn’t miss a beat. "Marian, I have no idea whether or not you slept with my father while you were here, but if I were you, I’d book an appointment with a gynecologist. Those symptoms you’re claiming is pregnancy; they might just be menopause knocking on your door."

The dig lands perfectly, shattering Marian’s icy composure. Her eyes widen, and a sharp huff slips past her lips before she lifts her chin, trying to salvage what’s left of her dignity. She glares daggers—first at me, then at Lily—before spinning on her heel. The staccato click of her heels echoes through the room, but there’s no mistaking it: her retreat is anything but victorious.

"It’s not true!" Lily exclaims, her voice directed squarely at Marian, before shutting the door with a loud slam that reverberates as the final word in a battle of wills. She turns to face me, and the look of sheer shock on my face—coupled with the tears welling in my eyes—tells her everything she needs to know. I’m utterly speechless, a state so unlike me that it’s almost alarming. In this moment, I don’t need Lily, my fiancé’s daughter. I need Lily, my friend—the one who always knows how to comfort me no matter what.

"It's not true, Lisa," she repeats, softly this time. "She said it to get under your skin."

"Mateo said he never touched her," I murmur, my voice strange and hollow in my own ears. "He said he hadn't been with anyone in six months."

"Hadn't?" Lily says, her brow furrowing as she catches my choice of words. "Meaning he's been with someone now—with you."

I nod, meeting her gaze. "Lily, I—"

"It's okay," she interrupts. "It doesn’t matter. You're in love. I have no right to judge you." She places a gentle hand on her growing belly, the touch tender and protective.

"Lily, I don’t want to lose our friendship," I finally manage. "I’m selfish. I admit it. I want you, and I want Mateo. I want it all."

Lily laughs—light, genuine, and utterly unexpected. The sound catches me off guard, but it’s a relief. "I love you like a sister," she says, the familiar warmth in her voice returning. "You know that."

"I know," I say, my own voice breaking slightly. "What I've done feels like a betrayal of our friendship and your trust. I have no excuse, other than the immense love I have for your father. I pray that's enough for you to forgive me and let me be part of your family—not just as your friend, but as Mateo’s wife."

"I love my dad," she begins. "With all his faults and bad habits, he's still managed to be a wonderful father." She pauses, her eyes flicking to me with a knowing look. "But don’t let that fool you. He’s always been an insufferable Casanova. Chronic dater, never serious. He’s never wanted to settle down, not really. It's like he treats relationships like a revolving door—no commitment, no intentions of ever sticking with just one woman." She sighs."I’ve seen it too many times—women who thought they meant something to him, only to end up heartbroken and forgotten. You're my friend, and I couldn't bear to see you become just another name on that list."

I let her words sink in, each one stirring a knot of doubt inside me. Is this the man I’m about to build a life with? If her intent was to make me question everything, she’s done a remarkable job. She must sense my unease because her expression quickly softens. She takes a breath, her eyes briefly drifting to the side, as though gathering her thoughts. "I hope he’s serious about this," she says. "I’ve watched him chase after everything but love my whole life, always moving from one woman to the next. But you—Lisa—something’s different. I see it in him. So, I guess what I’m saying is, I really hope he’s foundthe one. I hope he’s ready to finally be the man he’s always had the potential to be. Not for me, but for you, for both of you."

"So, what are you saying?" I mutter, uncertain, almost afraid to hear her answer. "Do we have your blessing?"

She smiles and nods slowly. "Yes," she says, her voice sincere. "The way you stood up to Marian, defending my dad against her claims—it was impressive. I can't be the one who stands between you two."

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