Chapter 45

Ava’s Pov

It was weird, having to prepare to see my mom in the hospital. I’d been calling her as much as possible, though I admit it wasn’t enough.

I called ahead and let the hospital and my mother know that I would be coming in to visit. Ethan and I spent all morning dressing as nicely as we could, respectable and sweet. It felt wrong having to prepare so intensely.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, we were sitting in the parking garage of the hospital. I was staring straight ahead at the concrete wall, planning how I would explain everything that had happened since the last time I saw my mother.

A lot had happened.

“I am,” I assured him. “I just hope she likes you.”

Ethan laughed, disguising his own stress, “I hope so too.”

I smiled at him, and he held out a hand. I placed my palm in his and he brought it to his lips, pressing a chaste, comforting kiss to the back of our intertwined hands.

“Let’s go.” He let go of my hand and exited the car. He walked around and opened my door for me, I took a deep breath before standing up and following him into the lobby.

“I called earlier,” I told the nurse at the reception office. “I’m here to visit my mom. She’s under the account name Velasco.”

Ethan put her under his last name in the hospital since he was paying for the bills.

“Oh yes! You must be Ava,” She smiled warmly at me, “And this is your husband?”

I blushed, but nodded. Sometimes I forgot we were still technically a couple outside of the world of media and parties.

“What a cute couple,” She chimed and led us up to the very top floor of the hospital. “She’s in here, she should be awake for her meal now.”

I nodded a thanks, blushing harder at the cute couple comment, and hesitated at the door.

“You ready?” Ethan asked, nudging me forward. I closed my eyes and inhaled, then nodded.

Part of me feared that she would be in the exact same state she was two months ago at my father’s house. Another part of me feared she would resent me for sending her to a hospital and not visiting enough.

Ethan opened the door for me, urging me forward.

“Mom?” I called out as we entered. Her head lifted from the pillow and she turned to glance at me.

“Ava?” She gasped surprised, even though I told her I was coming.

“Hi mom!” I ran to her side, throwing myself at the foot of the bed and resisting the urge to crush her in a bear hug. I restrained myself and hugged her lightly. “I missed you.”

Ethan hung back as I reconnected with my mom for a few minutes. It wasn’t until she looked up over my shoulder and asked who he was that I introduced them.

“Mom, this is Ethan.” I beckoned him forward. “He’s my husband and the one who paid to get you medical attention.”

My mom’s eyes widened at the term ‘husband’, “When did you-”

“Two months ago. It’s a…” I paused, how did I want to explain it to her. “It’s a long story.”

Ethan pulled up two chairs so we could both sit at my mother’s bedside while we caught up. Ethan was his usual confident and charming self. He made the perfect amount of jokes and told sincere stories. My mom’s eyes sparkled with delight as she listened to him talk. She hadn’t looked that happy in years.

“I’m so glad my daughter has found someone as good as you,” She drawled after an hour or so of talking to Ethan. She didn’t realize that the marriage was fake. A business agreement that got muddled up and complicated.

Because her illness was so severe, she had no memories of the week that Ethan and I got married and moved out. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that it was a contractual agreement that I only agreed to to save her.

I wanted her to live in fantasy for as long as possible.

“Your daughter is one of the best people I know,” Ethan replied, making eye contact with me and sending a wink my way.

I suppressed a girlish giggle and shook my head.

“You’re a son to me now,” My mom’s voice was getting tired, but she continued to praise Ethan. “I want you to know that you are my family now, I will love you like a son. Thank you for taking care of my girl.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, emotions running thick. I was so worried that, before the marriage, my mother would succumb to her illness. The fact that she was alive and loved Ethan made my heart swell and constrict all at once.

I was happy that my mom and Ethan got along so well, but a part of me was filled with guilt over the fact too. My mother viewed Ethan as a son, now, but what about his secret relationship with Olivia? How could I wish for a relationship if it would only destroy another one?

I shook the guilt and concerns from my mind for the moment. I was so happy that, despite the drama and complications, my mother was saved from the situation.

“I’ll always take care of her,” Ethan assured her. His voice sounded so sincere that even I believed him for a moment, “I promise.”

My mother’s eyes started to grow heavy and tired, the nurses came in to let us know that visiting hours were over. We bid her goodbye. I promised to try and visit more, and the two of us left.

“She loved you,” I told Ethan on the ride home. “I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“She’s a good woman. I’m glad I was able to help her.” Ethan smiled and we went back to the house.

--

At the house, Ethan apologized and said that Mars wanted to meet him for a quick conversation about everything that happened in the media recently.

I wanted to be involved so badly, but I nodded my head and let him go.

Mars and Ethan go upstairs, apparently Mars was just around the corner when we got home. I was on my way to my room when I passed the door to Ethan’s office. It was opened just slightly enough that I could hear my name being said by Mars.

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help it. I leaned into the door frame and listened.

“I’ll admit, she’s doing well as Luna.” Mars’ voice is muffled through the door. “I wasn’t sure about her, but she’s really proven herself recently.”

Ethan agreed, actually sounding a little proud, “She’s amazing.”

My skin heated in a bright red blush, I leaned in to hear more.

“I remember your mother as Luna,” Mars continued, “She was incredibly graceful and strong, and she came from more meager beginnings, too.”

Curiosity flared in my mind. Ethan never told me the story of his parents, nothing besides the necklace anyways. Pride also bubbled in my chest, I wish I had the chance to get to know her. Maybe then I’d understand Ethan more.

Ethan and Mars talk a little more, I’m almost ready to walk away, when I heard the name ‘Olivia’ being uttered by one of them.

“We need to talk about Olivia,” It was Ethan’s voice. “Andrew has-”

A surprised yelp erupts from my lips and cuts off the words as the door to the office opens and I nearly fall.

“Ava? What are you doing?”