Page 53 of When Love Changes Everything

"Hello?" I say, absently.

"Congratulations, Lisa!" Marian's British accent cuts through, sharp and unmistakable.

My stomach sinks, the joy of the moment dimming. I regret answering instantly. "What do you want?" I ask, trying to keep my tone even while glancing at Davey. He's oblivious, sitting beside me and waving cheerfully at Katherine, Adam, and the few stragglers lingering outside to see us off.

Marian's laugh filters through the line, a little too bright, a little too mocking. "Oh, Lisa. Is that any way to greet your husband'sspecial friend?"

Her words feel like ice, sending a chill right through me. I glance at Davey, who’s now watching me intently, his curious eyes scanning my face.

"Who's that?" he asks quietly, as if sensing the shift in my mood.

I force a tight smile in an attempt to reassure him. "No one, Sweetie," I say, keeping my tone light even though my chest feels tight.

"Is that my son?" Marian’s voice cuts through the line, rising to an annoying shriek.

Davey tilts his head, his brow furrowing. "Who is it?" he asks again, more curious now.

"Lisa!" Marian's voice claws at my composure. "I can hear him! Put my son on the phone right now!"

"No," I say calmly. "This is neither the time nor the—"

"Fine!" she snaps, cutting me off. "But before I go, why don't you ask David where I've been since I left Cold Spring. Go ahead, ask him."

The knot in my stomach tightens, and though I know I should end the call, I find myself glancing into Davey's blue eyes instead. "Davey, where’s your mom, Sweetie?"

"Mérida," he replies with a proud smile, as if he’s just answered a trivia question correctly.

My heart pounds as I tighten my grip on the phone. "I don't believe you," I whisper into the receiver.

"Aha!" Davey exclaims, misinterpreting my words as meant for him. "Mommy called me from Mérida!"

"I told you," Marian says, her voice dripping with icy calm. "Men like Mateo don't change, darling. And when I call, he always comes running."

She pauses, waiting—for effect or for my reply. When I stay silent, she continues, her tone dripping with satisfaction, "Not only am I in Mérida, I’m in his house. In his bed, wrapped in his silk sheets."

My mind races, but I force my expression to remain calm and my mouth shut, for Davey’s sake. "Goodbye," I say coldly.

"Enjoy your honeymoon,hermosa," she says brightly, as if speaking to an old friend.

I end the call without saying another word. My hand shakes as I set the phone down on my lap, the sound of her laughter mocking me even after I’ve hung up.

"Who was that?" Davey asks again, his blue eyes wide with curiosity, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing behind my mask of calm control.

"Just someone who called the wrong number, Sweetie," I say with a smile I don't feel, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"Okay," he says with a shrug, turning back to the window just as Mateo opens the door, his face lighting up as he spots us. "Ready to go?"

"Yes," I reply quickly, forcing a smile as I pull Davey closer. But as the limo glides away from the venue, Marian's words echo in my mind, refusing to fade. They dominate my thoughts throughout the ride to drop Davey off.

When we pull into Noah's driveway, Mateo steps out and opens the door. I press a kiss to Davey’s forehead before Mateo helps him out of the limo. As they make their way toward the house, Iremain frozen in my seat, the same phrase looping in my mind:I’m not a crier. I’m not a crier. I’m not a crier.

"Did you say something, ma’am?" the limo driver asks, his voice breaking through my thoughts.

"Oh, I’m sorry," I mutter, shaking my head. "I was talking to myself."

A few minutes later, Mateo climbs back into the limo, sliding in beside me. He drapes an arm around my shoulders and presses a soft kiss to my neck. "You smell so good," he whispers.

"Mateo, please," I murmur, glancing toward the front. "The driver can hear us."

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