His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 682

Hester was about to press Niamh for an answer about the fake marriage, but Zachary stopped her before she could speak.

"Dad, Mom, I've sent you the location of your hotel. You can drive over yourselves... I'm going to take Niamh home," Elmer said, then left the restaurant with Niamh.

Night had fallen. The moment Niamh settled into Elmer's car, he began to apologize earnestly. "I'm so sorry, Nia. I'm really, truly sorry... I swear, I had no idea my mom was going to bring that up tonight."

Niamh looked at him, seeing the raw anxiety and desperation in his eyes. Those eyes couldn't lie. He really hadn't known.

"You know I like you, that I care about you... so I would never, ever have my mom pressure you into a fake marriage with me... I was completely in the dark about this. I thought my parents just wanted to meet you because they know how I feel..." Elmer explained frantically, his words tumbling out faster and faster.

He was terrified she would misunderstand. Niamh didn't love him yet, and if she thought he was using his mother to coerce her, she might never give him a chance.

Niamh saw the panic in his eyes and offered a faint smile. "Don't worry. I trust you're not that kind of person."

Her understanding and trust washed over Elmer with a wave of post-disaster relief. "As long as you believe me. I was so afraid you'd get the wrong idea..."

"And you're still defending her!" Hester raised a hand as if to strike him, but Elmer knew she wouldn't. He had barely recovered from a coma; she wouldn't dare lay a finger on him.

"Son, you're a PhD from abroad. You could have any woman you want... And yes, I admit, that Niamh girl is impressive. Divorcing her husband and managing to take over his company."

Elmer opened his mouth to argue, but then closed it again without a word.

"You've always been stubborn, even though you seem easygoing. I know that, which is why I said what I said tonight..." Hester continued. "I wasn't lying. Your great-grandfather really is on his deathbed, and all he wants is to see you married. Since you love Niamh so much, I decided to be the bad guy... If she has any sense of decency, she'll agree to the fake wedding. Then, with a little push from the relatives, maybe you two will make it a reality. Once you've had the ceremony, all you have to do is get the license, and then she can't run away!"