But Magnolia isn’t finished. She turns to him, her tone sweet but sharp. “You always were stubborn, Jase. Chasing after things that made no sense, ruining perfect opportunities. I suppose this is no different.”
Her words burn hot in my chest. Everyone is so stunned they can’t speak. Nash’s eyes darken in anger, but Bailey’s quick to place a hand on his chest to settle him.
I push my chair out and stand, my hands trembling just slightly. “With all due respect, Magnolia,” I say, my voice calm and poised. “I’m not Indigo, and I don’t want to be.” Her gaze cuts to me, sharp as glass. I lean forward, my voice steady now. “I love your son. I’m carrying his child, and I don’t give a fuck what you think of me. I’m not going anywhere, and if you can’t see how real this love between us is, how we’ll never let Indigo, or you, or anyone come between us, then maybe you’re not looking closely enough.”
Gasps ring out from my friends, but I don’t stop. I appreciate their giving me the space to decide how this goes. They know I can handle it, and I will.
Billie glances over at me, pride shining in her eyes. Brynn leans back in her chair, a smirk tugging at her lips like she’s been waiting for someone to finally put her mother in her place.
Magnolia scoffs, “I beg your pardon, you will not insult me?—”
“No, you will not come into our home and insult Jase or me. I did you the courtesy of accepting how you weaseled your way into our home tonight, but I will not stand to be disrespected in my home.”
“You are on my property.”
“No, I’m on Jase’s land. This is the King Ranch. Jase is a King, my child is a King, and we have every right to be here.”
Her expression hardens, but she doesn’t argue. She stands, sets her napkin down on the table and heads toward the door, though before she lets herself out, she turns on her heels, blonde hair perfectly styled in place, and blue eyes so cold you’d think they were lifeless. Her ivory dress is tailored to fit her impeccably, and she looks every part of the wealthy, influential, and powerful woman she is.
“We’ll see,” she says, walking out into the cold winter night.
The door closes behind her, and I realize my hands are shaking, fisted at my side. Jase comes to stand beside me, sliding his arm around my waist.
“I cannot tell you how fucking turned on I am right now that you defended me and stood up to her without batting an eyelash. You are fucking perfect, Monroe,” he murmurs, and I can feel the pride in his voice.
I still can’t believe I did that. I knew it might come to it, that I’d need to set those boundaries, but I surprised myself with the certainty in my voice. “Someone had to.”
He laughs. “I’ll be back. I need to have a word with her,” Jase says, turning me in his arms and kissing me softly. His smile widens when he pulls away as he whispers so only I can hear him. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten the part where you said you loved me.”
I freeze, realizing I have no clue where that came from, but knowing that it’s the truth. “Jase, I…”
“Shhh,” he says, placing a finger on my lips, “Don’t worry. I won’t say it back until I know you're ready not only to hear it, but to believe it.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jase
Of course, when I step out, my mother is nowhere to be seen. Jake’s truck fades into the distance, kicking up dirt as it speeds down the gravel road back to the main house. I contemplate heading back in to check on Monroe, but I know I won't be able to get any sleep tonight if I don’t get some things off my chest. My sisters, Nash and Billie, are still here, and they’ll keep Monroe company until I return.
I climb in my truck and follow them to the main house, finding my mama walking up the front steps of the house as I pull into the long driveway. Shifting the gear into park, I hop out of the truck, not bothering to shut off the engine, and straight-line toward her. “You made Monroe feel like hell,” I say, not bothering with pleasantries.
She doesn’t bother turning my way and keeps walking as she speaks. “I only said what needed to be said. You don’t listen otherwise.”
I reach for her, grabbing her arm to force her to look my way. The look of horror on her face is almost amusing, but I let her go before she claims I’ve hurt her or attacked her. “She’s carryingmy baby, Mama,” I shoot back. “She’s my girlfriend. More than that, she’s the woman I plan to spend the rest of my life with, and you sit there praising Indigo, acting like Monroe’s not good enough. You need to let it go, Mama. Indigo’s in the past, and she’s going to stay there.”
Fury burns in her blue eyes, stronger than I’ve ever witnessed. My mother is a saintly Southern woman who’s always cool and composed, even if she’s raging inside. Her anger is released through insults and backhanded comments that make you feel horrible about yourself, but she never loses it in public.
I can see the moment she inhales sharply, trying her best to swallow back whatever insult is on the tip of her tongue. “You think you’re in love,” she says coolly, almost amused by my response. “But you’re young, impulsive. You’ve always thrown yourself into the wrong arms, Jameson. I’ve seen young ladies come in and out of your life, heard rumors of how you spend your nights, the promises you don’t make to them. But I won’t let you throw your future away like your sister. Monroe won’t be different. She’s not one of us. Worse, she’s one of them, and they are?—”
I stop her, unable to continue hearing her so blatantly insulting the people who mean most to me. “The best group of people I know. We’re half the people the Bishops strive to be. They are compassionate, accepting, and united, something the King Family is not. They’re not to blame for what he did to you.”
Her breath hitches as I imply what she’s so angry about. My father's infidelity, however long it lasted, was with Delia Bishop. My father had a son with her, and if what I’ve heard around is true, it wasn’t a one-time thing. Probably the reason Delia left so long ago and has stayed gone.”
“Don’t bring your father into this. That woman seduced him, put him under her spell and trapped him into sin. Her daughter has done the same to you.”
“How can you not see that he’s the only one to blame in this? Is that the fate you want for me? An unhappy marriage and future like yours? Because that’s what it will be with her. Indigo and I spent three years fighting, throwing our differences at each other like that was somehow going to solve our problems. If we were to be together, we’d turn into you and him. It wasn’t healthy, and frankly, I was miserable. Monroe is not like that. Things with us are better than they’ve ever been. She makes me better.”
Mama scoffs, “She’s not worthy of you. She’s her mother’s daughter. She’ll cheat and abandon you with her child. Monroe Bishop is not worthy of being in my family.”
