Page 95 of Pucking Secret

I nod, my heart swelling. “You’re going to love them both, and they’re going to love you, too.”

“How could I not love them? Especially Millie. I bet she has some of your father in her, just like you do. He was the only man I ever really loved, and he would be so damn proud of you, Owen.” She cups my cheek and smiles at me before stepping back and crossing her arms against the chill in the air. “You just take care of what you need to on your end. I’ll handle things here and let you know when I’m ready to head down.”

I grab her hand and give it a squeeze. “Thanks, Mom. For everything. For finally standing up to him. For standing up for me.”

She smiles, but there’s a tinge of sadness in her eyes. “I should’ve done it a long time ago, but I’m here now. I’m proud of you. You’ve become the man I always knew you could be.”

I don’t trust myself to speak, so I just nod and head toward the terminal, turning back once to see her standing there, watching me go. She waves at me and I give her a small wave back.

As I step into the airport, I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. Millie, Stacey, and now my mom… they’re my family. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us all together from now on.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: FOREVER HOME

STACEY

I look like absolute shit.Sitting on the edge of my bed, staring in the full-length mirror in my room, I can hardly recognize myself. I look haggard, with dark circles under my eyes and hardly any color in my face. It makes sense, since I haven’t been able to sleep. I’m too heartbroken and too stressed. A million things are running through my mind, the most important being how the hell I’m going to tell Millie her father won’t be around anymore.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. The faint light from the screen barely cuts through the morning gloom. With a groan, I grab it, expecting some mundane work message or maybe check-in text from Grace. To my surprise, it’s from an unknown number.

The text is short, just a link and a short sentence:

Elise: Hey, this is Elise, read this article.

Elise? How did she get my number? Curiosity burns through me, dissipating the fog of sleep. I tap the link, and the headline hits me like a punch to the chest:

Weston Stepson Calls Off Engagement, Declares Love for Long-Lost Family in Emotional Statement.

My breath catches, and I sit up straight, clutching the phone until my fingers ache. Beneath the headline is a picture of Owen. His expression is neutral and he’s staring straight down the barrel of the camera, looking almost defiant.

I scroll, the words jumping out at me:

Owen Scott, stepson of Gerald Weston, announced today that his engagement to Elise Richardson has been officially called off. In a heartfelt statement, Scott revealed he has a family in the United States — a woman he calls ‘the love of his life’ and a young daughter. ‘I’ve wasted too much time already,’ Scott said. ‘And I refuse to waste any more.’ Scott confirmed he is moving to the States permanently to be with them.

The phone trembles in my hand. I read it again, slower this time, letting the words sink in. My throat tightens as the realization hits me. Owen did this. Publicly. For me. For Millie.

I barely have time to process before my phone buzzes again. Another text from Elise.

Elise: Call me.

I waste no time. The phone rings twice before Elise answers, her voice soft but steady.

“Hi, Stacey,” she says.

“Why?” I blurt out, my voice cracking. “Why would he do this? Why now?”

Elise sighs. “Because it was the only way to ensure you and Millie were safe.”

I blink, confused. “Safe? From what?”

“Gerald.” She doesn’t hesitate. “Owen knew Gerald would try to control him, maybe even you and Millie, if he thought he still could. Going public like this? Declaring his family for theworld to see? It cuts Gerald off at the knees. He can’t threaten you without risking his reputation… and believe me, Owen made sure of that.”

My chest tightens, my thoughts swirling. “But…but why would he do this and risk hurting his mother so publicly?”

Elise’s voice softens. “Mrs. Weston — Margaret — helped too. She talked to Gerald’s siblings to make sure they’re watching him like hawks. They know the whole story of what he did to you and Owen now, every detail. Gerald’s family is furious, especially his two older brothers that control the majority shares to everything under the Weston umbrella. And, after Owen’s public statement, Gerald can’t touch any of you without it blowing up in his face. Even my parents are more than willing to let the engagement drop now. They don’t want to get wrapped up in Gerald’s drama.”

The room feels too small, too bright, too everything. “He… he did all this… for me?”

“Yes.” Elise states firmly. “He’s done with Gerald’s games, Stacey. Forever.”

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