Page 155 of I Replaced His Husband
He gave a bright smile and nodded. "Well, I found my True Mate, and he’s… amazing. Very sensitive and emotional, even more than Kay. He needs my support and protection. He demands it. And hey, I don’t have to be a damn hotel manager anymore. My parents were so… suffocating, always pressuring me into it. I hated the idea of being a hotel owner. I teach martial arts now, and I’m opening my own school. My parents would never have approved of that."
And suddenly I saw it, clear as day.
Maurice hadn’t run away just because of Kay’s ‘Clean Cut’ rule. The bastard had done it for himself too. He hated that life, the hotel business, the endless pressure from his overwhelming parents. And he found the kind of life he truly wanted, and even found a sensitive omega he could protect, someone who actually needed that from him.
What a perfect hand dealt by Fate. Everyone got what they wanted, what their souls had been craving all along. I could’vecursed him for being selfish, but honestly, I’d gained the perfect partner myself, so I just shrugged.
"Good for you."
Then he just turned and walked away again.
His silhouette, black against the silver dune grass, quickly disappeared into the shifting shadows. The sound of his footsteps faded beneath the steady roar of the sea.
I was left alone, feeling like I’d been put through a meat grinder. Torn up inside. There were moments I didn’t even know what to think.
In a way, Maurice had done the right thing, cutting everything off clean and walking away. But then again, everyone in our society had to face the reality of being left behind for a better match. It was like a sword hanging over all of us. Everyone but True Mates.
Maybe Kay could handle the truth even today?
Maybe he’d even forgive Maurice for not being honest. But the question was,could I? Was it me who needed more time, a stretch of calm, just Kay and I, without a ghost from the past standing between us, revived?
In the months that followed, I kept circling the same doubts: Was I right to handle it this way? Should I just let Fate do what it does, or should I step in?
But one thing I did know: Kay wasn’t fragile. He deserved honesty from the people he trusted. That should be the bare minimum. And at the same time, it was everything.
So I decided, when the moment’s right for both of us, I’ll tell him the truth.
10 MONTHS LATER
KAY
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My loose hair fell over my shoulders, and I was clad in a white satin suit that shimmered beautifully. Technically, as a widower, I shouldn't wear white, but it always looked good on me, providing a striking contrast with my raven hair.
Lake Nolan, my future dad-in-law, came over holding a small boutonniere of white orange blossoms. His face lit up with a warm smile.
"I’ve got some beautiful pins with pearl heads," he said as he began pinning the flowers to my lapel. "They’ll go perfectly with these."
This man was truly a blessing. I couldn't be happier about becoming part of his family. It was such a stark contrast to the Sanderses! Despite our relationship being much better now, we never grew as close friends; their naturally aloof personalities hindered it.
But Lake and Aiden weren't like that, not in the slightest. Their warmth, the way they embraced both me and Ray, was exactly what I didn’t even know I needed. Losing my parents at eighteen left me feeling hollow, and it was only now that I realized how much I craved the comfort of being surrounded by so much love. It felt good to step out of my old bubble and be part of something bigger, to be accepted, to truly feel at home.
Feeling uncharacteristically unfiltered, I suddenly blurted out, "My heat starts in a few days."
Oops, I didn't even know why I said it. TMI?
But Lake only raised one of his dark golden eyebrows and smiled subtly. "Well, then you picked a perfect time for your honeymoon," he said with a wink.
I hesitated, then whispered, blushing even more, "I won't use any contraceptives."
There was a brief silence before Lake leaned in, hugged me tightly, and kissed my cheek. He didn't say anything else, but I felt his supportive, gentle energy.
"Rain is a wonderful father. So caring and so tender with Ray. I don't feel capable of having as many children as you, but three or four more, why not?" I smiled at him in the mirror.
"You are both wonderful parents. Parenthood is a journey full of challenges, so many tears and so much joy, but even if I could turn back time, I wouldn't choose differently," he added softly. "Except maybe I'd handle things better with my eldest son, River."
I looked at him intently, already knowing River's story and why he had cut ties with the family.
"There will come a day when River knocks on your door. I'm sure of it. You'll find your way back to each other."
