Page 45 of Treasured By 3

We all laugh. Elaine pouts. “I feel like the odd one out. I’m the only one who’s not married or with someone. I thought I’d be before Valerie.”

“Are you saying I’m unlovable?” I ask, surprised.

“No, you just never showed an interest in relationships. I tried to push guys at you that were crushing on you and you ignored them or ended up becoming friends even though they were into you,” she huffs.

“I did not know,” I say.

Of course, I get teased for that all day. While the girls take a break, I go to the venue to verify that everything is going okay. I take care of a few issues, then run into the last person I expected–my mother. She looks around at everything, then looks at me.

Her eyes widen, and I narrow mine. “Sightseeing?”

“Valerie, I’d like you to reconsider. I want to be here for you. So does your father.”

I scoff, “the same man that accused my fiancés of holding me hostage?”

“He’s better now. Just call him. He understands. He did plenty of research and-”

“Why do you want to be here?” I say, cutting through the bullshit. “You want to be here to object to my wedding? To complain about how I’m ruining the name of ‘marriage’? Why, Mom?”

Her eyes water. “You’re my only daughter and I want to be at your wedding. Just because I don’t approve doesn’t mean that I should be punished and miss this. If you keep me out, you’re no better than your father.”

I just stare at her. What the hell is she talking about? “What in the psychological warfare is this?”

“You’re wrong,” Chase says from behind me.

I turn to see him. He put a hand on my hip and I don’t bother telling him we’re not supposed to be around each other today. He squeezes my side. “Valerie is nothing like her father, and you are not welcome here. We only want to celebrate this day with people who support us, love us, and are happy for us.”

“Thank you, baby boy,” I whisper in his ear.

“You don’t know our life. Valerie misremembers plenty and only sees the worst in people,” my mother hisses. “Keeping me away from such a big moment-”

“Is something you should get used to,” Chase uses the same tone he uses when addressing subordinates. “I won’t allow anyone to leech onto my wife and I won’t allow anyone to gaslight or sabotage her when she’s worked so hard to be her own person.”

“But-” My mom tries again.

“The answer is no. If you’re lucky, we’ll send you photos. However, Valerie has been in no contact with her father for long enough that he doesn’t have a place in her life. I don’t care about the home videos or the wonderful memories you have. I care about my wife’s future. We’ve tried to include you and it’s a toss up whether you’ll be supportive,” Chase says.

I tug on his shirt. I can’t believe he’s defending me, that he’s being so firm and unwavering. I’ve gotten used to his playful, easy going side, but I can’t remember the last time someone stood up to me with my mother. She pulls out the tears and I’m the terrible one–always.

On cue, she cries. “I’ve done so much for you! I tolerated so much. I’m working so hard to have a life with you, Valerie. Why are you letting this man treat me like this?”

“This man is going to be my husband as of tomorrow, and you can’t even muster up his name?” I demand.

Her mouth opens and closes. She looks at Chase like she can come up with his name, but she says nothing. I nod. “Exactly. You want me in your life when it’s convenient. You want to be there for the big moments to celebrate my achievements for yourself, but you don’t get to be in those moments if you’re not willing tobein my life.”

“Valerie!” she sobs.

“Security has a note that you and your husband are not allowed here tomorrow. It will be enforced,” I say.

Chase walks me inside to the stairs and I sit down, holding a hand to my chest. Chase lifts my chin. “Breathe like you tell your patients to, baby doll.”

I do just that, squeezing his hand the whole time. Then, I speak. “What are you doing here?”

“I got a call about an issue with the kitchen set up. The caterer doesn’t like it. I put my foot down,” he says with a shrug. “I’m glad I was here.”

“Me too,” I say. “I can’t believe she said that to me. I didn’t even know what to say.”

Chase sits beside me and kisses my temple while taking my hand in both of his. “You’re nothing like your parents, Valerie. You strengthen the people around you. You are a good person and good for us.”

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