Dawn's Pov

When David entered back into the room, I was still awake and sitting by the edge of the bed as I stared at the blank sky, slightly pressing the frozen bag against my still aching cheeks.

I didn't think a slap could hurt as much as it did. Or was it that I exaggerated the pain? I had never been struck on the face before. Not even by my mother.

I groaned a little when I pulled the ice away from my face. I should have anticipated that Amanda would react this way. Certainly, anyone would after being called desperate.

The second David crossed the room to sit gently by my side, I turned to him, my brows furrowing with concern. "How did it go?"

"I told her what needed to be said." He answered stiffly with his hand coming to touch my face. "Does it still hurt badly?"

I closed my eyes for a moment and relished in his warmth. "It doesn't."

"God, I'm sorry you had to go through this." His thumb brushed my cheek gingerly. "After the wedding, we're leaving okay?"

My eyes met his and the crease in my brows deepened. "David, you really don't have to leave because of me."

"I do." He persisted. "I won't be able to forgive myself if anything like this happens again and It's a decision I've made so don't try to change my mind."

I bit my lip. "But you don't have to be hard on her, it was my fault. I gave your dad the orchids and I said pretty mean things to her and if I hadn't pushed her so much she wouldn't have snapped or—"

"Stop." He withdrew his hand from my cheek and held my shoulder. "Just stop trying to feel for her and focus on yourself. I may have hurt her pride with my words but she hurt you, physically and yes, she's my mother and I'll treat her how I see fit." He let my shoulders go and got up from the bed.

"Where are you going this time?"

He stood in front of me and leaned over to kiss my temple. "I need another shower. Try to get some sleep. I love you."

He didn't wait for my reply before turning to stalk towards the bathroom. I could tell he was annoyed, more at himself than he was at the situation. I didn't blame him.

I heaved out a heavy sigh and replied. "I love you too...David." Even though he'd already disappeared behind the door.

***

Amanda wasn't at the wedding the next day and I knew this because I'd spent most of my day searching for her but she'd gone off the grid.

After David told me that we are going to be leaving, I wanted to talk to her and try to clear the air between us one last time because as much as I wanted to be out of here myself, I didn't think I'd be able to leave seeing David fighting with her especially when I knew they both loved each other dearly.

Albeit, after I'd searched for a while and still couldn't find her, I decided to relax in the wedding atmosphere.

After the vows were shared and rings exchanged at the holy altar of St. Gorge's cathedral, the reception commenced at the back of the estate.

We had a little cocktail hour where everyone mingled-some dancing to the soft tongue-twisting music and others stuffing their mouths with watery native delicacies.

The night of the wedding, after David was stolen away from me by his cousins for a dance, I slipped away from the crowd for a much-needed break.

The garden at the east wing of the estate looked like the only place quiet enough for relaxation and I had managed to make my way over there but the person I saw made me stop on my track.

Alas, It was Amanda and she was dressed in her casual clothes, sitting legs crossed on the white long bench as she hummed a melody and threw crumbs into the water for ducklings that swam to eat.

Deciding it was best to not interrupt her quiet time, I sort to leave but accidentally stepped on a twig that broke with a loud crack.

The humming stopped and Amanda turned immediately.

We held each other's gaze for a moment. There was nothing particular in hers, usually, I could see the scorn and distaste but they were ordinary, a little sorrowful tho.

"The feast is the other way." She muttered, breaking our contact and turning back to her quacking ducks.

I knotted my hands together and cleared my throat before taking a step forward.

When she didn't protest, I took a few more steps until I was standing close to her. "I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now but I'll just go ahead and tell you that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened between us. It was never my intention to disrespect you. What I said, I said out of anger. I'm truly sorry for testing you."

She didn't say anything, just continued to feed the ducklings. I inhaled a deep breath and continued notwithstanding. "I know you hate me and I know I earned It this time but what I also know is that I love your step son and he loves you so I won't stop, I won't stop trying to win you over no matter what, no matter how many times you'll push me away, no matter how many times you'll insult me, I'll keep coming back because I love David and if us reconciling will make him happy then I'll be at your mercy."

A moment passed, then another and another, nothing.

My shoulders slumped as I heaved out another breath and I was just about to turn to leave when she all of a sudden moved to the end of the bench whilst tapping the free space for me to sit.

I was cautious when I sat, not sure where this was heading. A moment of silence passed between us before she spoke. "I too was once In love. Just like you are." She looked at me. "It happened before I wedded David's father or as you'd said it, my sister's husband."

I bit the inside of my cheek and lowered my head to my thighs. "I'm sorry for saying that."

"It's nothing to be sorry for. You're not wrong. I did marry my sister's husband but it's not what you think." She sighed, looking up to the night sky. "Before that, I was In love. Fabian was his name, I encountered him a few times at the pub, he was a singer and pianist, his songs were marvelous and he played my favorite every night by 8:pm at royal Harvey, pub-'ne me quitte pas'-a song that still lingers in my heart."

She paused and took a deep breath. These were memories long buried, memories forced to forget and I understood how painful it was to bring them back to the limelight.

"Mrs. Amanda, you don't have to talk about it if you don't—"

"It's fine." She cut me and continued. "Back then I'd sneak out of the house and stay at the pub listening to him till everyone else was gone and it was only us left. He had the most charming voice I'd ever heard and his smile was just beyond comprehension."

There was a far-off look on her face as though she was reliving the moment.

"Every night we talked and bonded like we'd known each other for years, he invited me out to hang out with his band and went as far as introducing me to his parents. We were in love, hopelessly In love, but I knew that my father would never let me settle for a mere pub player, our status as the Guillory's carried along a lot of responsibility and weight. I couldn't choose who I loved. These things only ever happened and it was unfortunate that mine had to be unethical."

She looked away from the night sky and continued feeding the ducks.

"We continued our relationship in secret. When he proposed, I said yes, we were going to run away together and leave everything behind but then the night of our departure, Amelia died."

"Oh my..."

She exhaled and glanced my way before continuing. "She'd had a pregnancy complication prior and that night I was supposed to stay home with her because Henry was out of the country for a meeting but I had snuck out to be with Fabian and just when we were about to board the boat, I got a call that my sister had given up the ghost after bleeding to death in her bedroom."

My stomach tightened and my chest felt taut. "I didn't know that was how David's mother passed away."

"There's a lot more that you don't know." She smiled sadly. "After that, I fell apart. I could've been there for her and maybe if I had been, she would've been alive today but I wasn't and I blamed myself for her death. I didn't think I'd ever be able to forgive myself but I knew I had to do something to make it up to her so when I held David in my arms for the first time, I made a promise to protect and care for him."

Another heavy exhale and she continued. "I ended things with Fabian. The arrangement was made and I was set to remarry Henry but a week to our wedding, I found out that I was pregnant with Fabian's child."

I looked up, my eyes widening in shock. "Mrs. Amanda..."

She took a deep breath and pressed on. "I didn't think too much about it, I just did what needed to be done and I let it go believing in the greater good. It was a small price to pay, I had David after all, he was all that mattered to me, he was my redemption, the only thing that kept me going and I was ready to give my all for him...I still am."

I had no idea when I reached out to hold her hand. When she didn't push me away I squeezed softly. "I am so sorry you had to go through that."

"It's fine. I'm only telling you this because I want you to understand how much I love David. You were right about one thing tho. Maybe I was a little jealous. When he was younger he'd come for me for everything, I guess I got a little jealous that I wasn't the one making him smile anymore. I wasn't the one you ran to whenever you got hurt and depressed, it was selfish of me to believe no one could love him as I do but I was wrong, you're different, I mean you're here, trying to work things out with me after I've done to you."

She placed her hand on top of mine.

"I tried to push you off because David's been hurt before and I didn't want to see him go through that process again but after my conversation with him yesterday, I realize now that it's time to let go. He's no longer my little boy anymore and I no longer need to protect him. That's your job now."

I parted my lips but I was too stunned to speak. This had to be a dream because it was too good to be true.

"I'm sorry I misjudged you. You've changed him and made him a better version of himself and I'm grateful." She smiled warmly with a hint of sadness. "And if you do decide to forgive me, maybe we can make this mother-daughter-in-law thing work?"

I nodded, unable to believe this was happening. My heart was overwhelmed with so many emotions that it became impossible to breathe properly and it must have been the euphoric rush that pushed me to hug her. "Thank you, Mrs. Amanda," I mumbled, relaxing into her warmth as she chuckled and hugged me back. "Thank you for giving us a chance."

"It's going to take a while to get used to this."

"I understand." It was my turn to laugh. I did. I laughed heartily and stayed wrapped in her arms and it wasn't until footsteps approached that I broke away to get a glimpse of who it was.

"Dawn? Are you there?"

It was David.

"Honey, I've been looking for you everywhere..." His words slowly trailed off as he walked forward and digested the sight of both of us.

"Well, you found me," I said with a huge smile and then turned to see Amanda smiling too. "You found us."

David was silent after that. Words didn't need to be said, he knew, he understood, and he smiled.