Chapter 29

It was as if all the blood had drained from my body, leaving me a hollow shell. It had been years since I last caught a real glimpse at James’ parents, predominantly his mother. The woman was always involved in some charity work or planning the next big event to sponsor some worthy cause or another.

Diana Derek was a beautiful, self-made wonder woman. A living icon for independent women everywhere to go after their dreams as ruthlessly as possible. Anyone who ever made it into her inner circle of friends would easily be able to confirm that the woman was flawless.

She originally came from a wealthy and influential family before marrying James’ father. Much like her son, her marriage was also conducted through an arrangement of sorts. I had no way of knowing it was a happy marriage

No one truly knew if she and her husband had a happy marriage. Whenever the press managed to capture a picture of the couple, they were both always seen smiling. However, a person could hide a hundred feelings behind a smile...

Now, needless to say, apart from being a lethal businesswoman and strategic event planner, she was a stellar mother.

Growing up, it was easy to tell that she took immense pride in her children’s accomplishments. Whether it be academic or some sort of extracurricular endeavor, she made sure that they had the best opportunities.

Diana was a woman who expected great things from her children, which made me nervous beyond belief because there was no way I could imagine her all right with her eldest and only son being married to someone like me.

Any time I managed to catch a look at Diana, I always felt inferior. She executed power and feminine strength that I never thought I had what it took to ever reach her level.

The front doors swung open with a loud slam, causing a good number of staff to scurry off in different directions. I, for the time being, kept myself hidden within the doorframe to the kitchen.

‘Well, so much for confidence,’ I thought.

Diana appeared steamed and thoroughly pissed off while two strikingly similar-looking girls followed in behind her.

“Where on earth is James?!” she shouted. “One of you—find him! Now?!”

A deep voice came rolling through the air that eased a bit of my tension. “Mother, for the love of God, there is no reason to scare the hell out of my staff,” James drawled. He stopped in front of her, wearing a look of indifference. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

She narrowed her eyes in displeasure. “Spare me the innocent act,” she hissed. “Tell me, why the hell did I end up hearing about my son’s sudden new marriage through the goddamn newspaper like some random stranger?”

James merely shrugged. “I guess, you could say that it just sort of happened,” he stated.

Diana shook her head in refusal. “How could you make such an impulsive decision without ever consulting me about it first?”

“Because, believe it or not, I happen to be a grown-ass man who’s capable of making decisions that impact his life,” he said bitterly.

She pressed her hand to her head. “James, surely cannot be serious. This whole scene that the media has created is nothing but sheer entertainment,” his mother said.

“Certainly not. I asked Mia. She said yes. And here we are.”

Anger flickered across her eyes. Each time James spoke my name, I could tell that it caused Diana’s rage to simmer more and more. “I don’t believe this.”

James’ sisters started to step up from behind their mother. They both appeared interested and curious as they glanced about the place.

“So, where is this Mia?”

“Yes, what are her thoughts on this matter?”

Damnit. I knew I couldn’t hide behind my protective wall forever.

I had to shake the worry inside of me and face the reality of the situation. Taking numerous deep breaths, I meekly came out of my hiding spot while trying to maintain a bit of confidence. Everyone turned to stare at me. Diana, especially, looked as though she’d seen a ghost. It was probably because she couldn’t fully believe how much I’d changed over the years.

“Mia, my God...I hardly recognized you without all that weight,” Diana remarked flatly.

James released a vocal growl that echoed off the walls. Both his sisters took a tentative step back in shock. Instinctively, I placed a hand on his chest and immediately felt some of the tension leave his body.

“Mrs. Derek, I’m quite certain that this whole situation has taken many people on by surprise. I, myself, was completely taken aback when James first proposed to me. I’m still gaining my bearings with everything that’s gone on,” I explained.

Diana turned to stare at me with a notable look of disappointment. Shit.

I was fairly certain that I preferred her verbal insults compared to that one look.

“Mia, I’ve known you since you and your brother were little. I’m sure that you are a lovely girl with her whole life ahead of her. But to be a part of the Derek family comes with a high-ranking list of expectations that not everyone can live up to...”

James’ anger returned with a burning vengeance. He snatched my hand from his chest and held me close to his side. My cheeks flushed and my skin broke out in goosebumps.

“So help me God, if you manage to finish whatever the hell argument you’re trying to make, I will have to insist that we continue this conversation at a later date,” he snarled.

This particular statement did not sit well with the Derek Matriarch. Not one bit.

Diana curled her hands into tight fists. “Does she have what it takes to be Derek? To be a real Luna?!”

“It doesn’t matter if she does or doesn’t! I will be there to make sure that she gets through it all because she’s my m—wife!”

I caught that strange pause in his voice but remained quiet. There was no chance I was running the risk of getting in the middle of an argument with two of the strongest, proudest Dereks.

“Well, I’m afraid that I just can’t accept this,” his mother stated. “Do you not care about ensuring a promising future for the pack? What about producing an heir?”

James cocked a knowing brow. “I can readily assure you that neither of those things are going to be an issue.”

“Oh really?” she shouted doubtfully.

My stomach flipped numerous times.

“Mm-hmm,” James hummed with venomous delight. “Mia is already pregnant.”