Chapter 178

We ran until we were thirsty. Then we went to the pond to drink the cool, clear water before sitting in the high grass and watching the sunset.

Diana and Adam whispered in the back of our minds while we spoke.

“Are you still upset about your parents?” I asked.

“I feel like a huge secret was kept from me,” he said. “Daisy, I made decisions about my life based on my beliefs that romantic love doesn’t exist. My parents are two of the most practical and intelligent individuals I know. That means love must be real.”

“But how and why did they hide it from me?” he asked.

“You need to ask them,” I repeated.

“I’ve never looked for love or accepted it from any female, largely because of my parents,” he said. “And I don’t know if I can start now.”

“You can have love in your life if you want it,” I said. “You only need to open your heart to someone.”

“Open my heart? I don’t even know what that means.” Victor’s wolf hung his head.

I leaned against him. “You love your mom and dad, right?”

“We’ll, yeah,” he replied.

“If you can love them, you can love a mate,” I assured him.

His wolf looked at me sideways. “Isn’t that a different kind of love?”

“Yes, but it proves you can feel love,” I argued.

It made me sad that Victor thought he was doomed to never have romantic love in his life.

“You’re right about my speaking to my parents when Mom is better,” I said. “They have the answers I need.”

Hopefully, his parents could set his mind straight, and Victor would accept that love is real and within his grasp. He deserves to be happy with a mate.

“That’s a good idea,” I agreed. “I’m sure they can explain it better than me.”

He looked into my eyes. “Daisy, I ….” he began, but he stopped speaking when my stomach let out a loud rumble.

“Nevermind. I’m hungry, too,” he said. “Let’s go inside and eat dinner with Alex.”

We shifted and dressed in the rose garden and began to walk back to the house.

“Why have you always believed in love?” Victor asked.

“Let’s go inside through the ballroom,” I said. “I want to show you something.”

We changed direction, walked to the patio doors, and entered the ballroom. Then I linked arms with Victor and pulled him toward the fireplace.

I looked up at the portrait of my parents. “They were Fated Mates and deeply in love. Can’t you see it in how they look at each other?”

Victor studied the portrait. “They look happy and as if they take joy in being together. Is that love?”

I smiled at my parent’s images. “I think it’s a big part of it.”

“But when I first met you, you didn’t remember your mother,” he said. “Why did you believe in love before you saw this portrait?”

“Amy’s parents were also in love,” I told him. “They worked together in the restaurant every day to make it a success. But they didn’t mind the hard work. You could tell by watching them how much they loved each other and Amy.”

“Are they still in love?” Victor put an arm around my shoulders, and we began to walk toward the hallway.

“They were until Amy’s mother died two years ago,” I said.

“That’s sad,” Victor said. His expression matched his words. He seemed to be feeling more now.

“It was sad, and it still is sometimes. But Mr. Gray thinks the pain of losing her was worth the joy of loving her. That’s another reason I want to love my mate.”

Victor pulled me close to his side. “That’s a good reason.”

“Maybe Alex can tell you more about your parent’s relationship,” I suggested. “You should ask him at dinner.”

Victor didn’t say anything as we continued down the hall and found Alex in the living room.

Alex was glad to see us. “Victor, how is your mother? I heard from a friend about her accident.”

“She was badly hurt in the crash, but she’s hanging in there,” Victor told him. “We are still waiting for her to regain consciousness.”

Alex shook his head sadly. “I prayed to the Goddess on Lana’s behalf. Hopefully, she will hear our prayers.”

“My father won’t leave her side,” Victor said. “They are a more devoted couple than I had thought.”

“Your parents never liked public displays of affection,” Alex explained. “But their love for each other is obvious at times. Look at the trips they take to be alone together.”

Victor ran a hand over his beard stubble. He was more shaken than he wanted to show. The Klein family was good at hiding their emotions. “I've never noticed. And I’ve never heard them say the words to each other.”

Alex patted Victor on the back. “Nevertheless, let me assure you that your parents care for each other deeply. And that is a good thing, Victor. Love makes life worthwhile.”

Benson entered the room. “Dinner will be served soon, Mr. Wilson.”

“Victor, can you stay for dinner?” Alex asked.

“Yes. Thank you,” he replied.

“Benson, please set a place at the table for Victor,” Alex said.

“It’s already been done, sir,” Benson said as he hurried from the room.

Benson always anticipated our needs and handled many problems before we knew about them. I was glad I remembered to text him earlier about Lana’s condition, and he informed me that Alex knew of Lana’s accident.

We strolled to the family dining room with Alex and took our seats at one end of the beautifully set table. Benson watched as the footmen served us a delicious meal of rare steak and lobster soufflé.

While we ate, Alex told us stories about Lana and Harry from when he and my mother were first married and Victor was a baby. They were splendid memories. Victor enjoyed hearing the stories as much as Alex enjoyed telling them.

“I must remind them of that camping trip,” Victor chuckled. “I can’t imagine my mother sleeping in a tent or her reaction when it collapsed in the rain!”

Alex laughed. “Her face when she emerged from the flattened, soggy tent was priceless. But she was a good sport about it. We dried out the tents after the storm passed and stayed for the rest of the week.”

By the time dessert was served, Victor was feeling better. We enjoyed fruit cobbler with ice cream while Victor told us about some of the trips he had taken with Lana and Harry when he was a child.

“It sounds like you had splendid times during those trips,” Alex said. “I wish I could have traveled somewhere nice with Daisy.”

“Maybe we can someday,” I said, but I wasn’t sure if Alex’s health would make it possible. Yet, thinking about it made him smile.

“The meal was delicious,” Alex told Benson. “Please give the cook my thanks.” He turned back to us. “I must go to the living room and get comfortable. You two can join me if you like.”

Before Victor could answer, his cell rang. “It’s my father,” he said after checking the phone screen. “Hello, Dad,” he said anxiously.

Victor listened briefly to his father before promising to return to the hospital immediately.

He stood up and disconnected the call. “I have to go.”

I stood and hurried to his side. “Victor, what’s wrong?”

“Mom … she has taken a turn for the worse.” His voice was ragged. “Dad wants me to come right away.”

“I’ll go with you,” I said. “Can you drive?”

Victor nodded. “But I must leave now.”

“Go, and let me know if there is anything I can do,” Alex said. He was holding back tears.

“I’ll call you, Alex,” I said before taking Victor’s hand and walking out of the mansion with him.

I opened my own car door and climbed into the Lamborghini. This was no time for gallantry.

“Are you sure you can drive?” I asked as Victor slid behind the wheel and started the car’s engine.

“I’m sure,” he said. “But I can’t believe my mom is dying.”

“Don’t think about that now,” I said and squeezed his hand. “Think about the good times you had with her.”

Victor nodded and started down the driveway to the road. “I need to give her one more hug.”