Page 96 of Resolute

He swallows hard before replying, “No, duckling. It’s adult stuff you don’t need to worry about.”

She doesn’t seem too convinced but nods her head anyway.

“How about we go get lunch? Does that sound like a good plan?” he asks, trying to lighten the mood.

Ava nods excitedly. “Oh yes, I’m starving to death,” she says, rubbing her belly.

A collective laugh explodes in our group, and Ava seems unfazed, which makes me laugh harder.

We head toward the two cars waiting for us—the white Rolls-Royce that dropped me off earlier and another identical one in black.

“Do you want to ride with Mummy and me? Or with Mrs. Evans and my brother?” Vicente asks Ava.

She points at him, then at me. “With you two!” she says confidently, flashing a wide grin.

“Let’s go, then,” Vicente says, helping her into the car first.

I love how he considers Ava’s opinion. It makes my mum's heart soar with happiness.

Vicente helps me inside, and he sits beside me, our legs pressing against each other.

“How are you feeling?” he asks once the car starts moving.

“Terrified. I don’t know what to expect from the conversation we’re about to have with your parents,” I answer honestly.

“You don’t need to worry about that, wife. I’ll handle my father,” he says in his powerful CEO voice, his jaw tight.

“Vicente,” I say, waiting for him to look at me.

“What? I mean it. That conversation has to be between him and me. No one else.”

I hold his hand and thread my fingers with his. “You don’t have to do this alone. We’re married now.” I raise our hands and place a kiss on his wedding band.

He releases a deep breath through his nose as he lays his head on the car’s headrest.

“Today is supposed to be a happy day. I won’t let him or anyone else take it away from us,” he says between clenched teeth.

I squeeze his hand. I wish he could relax and enjoy the day, but I’m sure he must have a million things on his mind.

“So, my parents’ situation aside, how are you feeling?” He effectively changes the topic, and I’m grateful for the respite.

“Excited and nervous, I think in equal measure,” I say with a chuckle.

A frown appears on his handsome face. “Why nervous? Am I such a bad person that you’re nervous about being married to me?”

Is he being insecure?That’s something I never expected from him.

“No, of course not. It’s just that you don’t get married every day, let alone to a billionaire who also happens to be your boss.”

He releases a deep breath and closes his eyes. Guilt tugs at my chest. I hate that I am making him feel this way, but he asked for the truth.

“You’re not a bad person. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you if I thought that. But everything has happened at lightning speed, and I have someone else to worry about if things don’t work out.”

I gesture toward Ava with a slight tilt of my head. She’s glued to the window, watching the city pass by.

“I know. I know,” he says against my hair. “I’ll try my best every single day to be the best husband and father I can be. I promise,” he whispers in my ear.

I rest my head on his shoulder, my fingers tightening around his. “That’s all I ask for. Thank you. And I promise to be the best wife I can be,” I whisper back.

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