Chapter 532
Judy’s POV
I sat motionless as I stared at Gavin and Rachel in the archway of the parlor. Matt also tensed from beside me, though his eyes were fixed on his books in front of him, and not on the pair of them. My eyes never left Gavin’s, and his eyes seemed to be glued to mine as well, though I couldn’t decipher the emotion lingering in them.
Without taking his eyes off me, Gavin asked, “Why were you looking for me?”
Rachel held herself closer to him, clinging to his arm like it was her lifeline.
“I wanted to ask your opinion on a few outfit choices for the charity banquet on Sunday,” practically purred. “I want to dress to impress after all. It’s not often you get asked to be the date of Gavin Landry to an important event like that.”
My heart clenched in my chest as I stared at him. His face was indifferent, and his body was tense as he listened to what she said.
As if just noticing me in the room, Rachel’s eyes flickered to mine, and she smiled.
“Oh, hi Judy. I didn’t see you there,” she said. “You seem hard at work. Don’t let us disturb you.”
Rachel tugged on Gavin’s arm; he stood firm for a moment, his eyes still on me, and I wasn’t sure why he was staring at me like that. But then, almost reluctantly, Gavin turned and left with her.
I stared at the open archway that Gavin once stood in, my heart feeling almost empty and my hands trembling uncontrollably.
“Is my dad going to marry Miss Rachel?” Matt suddenly asked, finally lifting his gaze from the book to meet mine.
I felt my face pale at his question, and I met his eyes.
“Why do you ask?” I asked him, my voice coming out strained.
“Because Rachel told me she was going to be my new mom,” Matt said, a grimace on his face. “But I don’t want her to be my mom… I don’t really like her. She’s different…”
“Different how?” I asked, raising my brows.
“I can’t explain it,” he murmured. “I just have a weird feeling about her. I really don’t want her to be my mom.”
My chest tightened from his admittance, and I found myself pulling him into my
arms.
“Your dad will do what’s best for you and Irene,” I told him softly. “He won’t make her into your mother without speaking to you about it first. He’s a fair man.”
As I spoke those words, I knew they were the truth. Gavin was a fair man and would always include his children in his decision-making, especially when it affected them to this extreme.
“Speaking of Irene, how is she?” Matt asked. “I haven’t seen her for almost a month.”
Matt’s wolf had finally calmed down at the mention of Irene, but Gavin still thought it would be best if they stayed separate for right now.
During our training sessions, I had also been training with Matt’s wolf. Matt mentioned that Gavin had also been training with him, so things were definitely better for him, considering he’s the youngest person in history to shift.
“She’s doing good,” I tell him. “She misses you.”
“Do you think she’ll ever be allowed home again?” He asked. “The more I think about it, the more I don’t think she’s a bad person. What she did was pretty bad… but I think in her head it was justified. I don’t think she really meant to hurt me.” Cóntent
“That’s really big of you, Matthew. I’m so proud of you for coming up with that conclusion on your own,” told him, giving him a gentle
squeeze. “I think a little bit more). n’e
space will do you both some good for right now. Plus, your father is actively trying to find a couple to adopt Emalyn, and until then, Irene has a responsibility. It’s better if she stays there for right now.”
He nodded like he understood, though he still looked a bit conflicted.
“I wish you could just marry my dad,” he finally said, his voice almost vulnerable. “You’d be a much better mom…”
I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to cry. I wanted to tell him, “Me too,” but
the words died on my lips. Instead, I gave him another squeeze and then a pat on the back.
“Let’s get back to work,” I tell him.
He reluctantly agreed.
We spent the next few hours
ver
studying and then going over combat and defense techniques. hadn’t seen or heard from Gavin the rest of the time, but just as I approached Beta Taylor’s waiting car, a hand stopped the car door from opening. I quickly turned to see Gavin standing only inches from me, his gaze penetrating through me.