I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 212

"Why not get married? When you get old, you need a companion. Sitting alone in a cold, empty house... what kind of life is that?"

"Are you going to cook for her? Clean the house for her? Provide her with any sort of emotional value? Sarah can do everything herself, and she has money now. She's living her absolute best life. Stop reaching so far out of your league."

Seeing her father's face turn a bruised shade of purple, Gwen knew her words were harsh.

But it was the absolute truth. If she, his own daughter, found him exhausting, why would she let him inflict himself on her best friend's mother?

"Jason's dad is a widower too, and he found a partner ten years younger than him," George argued stubbornly.

When they had met Jason's family recently, Jason's father had brought along his younger partner. George had been burning with jealousy ever since.

"Jason's dad has a six-thousand-dollar monthly pension. How much do you have? Dad, you need a serious reality check."

George sulked right up until the day before Gwen's wedding.

"I'm not Mom. I'm not going to coddle you. Paying for your care is me doing my duty as your daughter, so reel it in. If you piss me off enough, I'll send you right back to your old apartment. See if that widow of yours even wants you back."

That hit George exactly where it hurt.

Since his hospitalization, that woman hadn't shown her face a single time. Even if she dropped to her knees and begged for forgiveness now, he wouldn't spare her a second glance.

He thanked his lucky stars they hadn't legally married. His brother had warned him back then that if they tied the knot, she might move her son and daughter-in-law into his house, forcing him to support her entire family.

By keeping things unofficial, they were together when it suited them, and when things got hard, they walked away clean without anyone stealing from the other.

He saw her true colors now. Fortunately, the title to his house was in his name. Renting it out would at least give him some pocket money.

When he passed away, the house would go to Gwen, which was the least he could do after everything she did to take care of him.

People always said to raise sons for a secure old age. He didn't have a son, just this one daughter. Her words were sharp and unyielding, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

George mumbled defensively, "I was just feeling a little sad that your mom wasn't here to see you get married."

By invoking her late mother, George effectively disarmed Gwen.

"Mom passed early because you stressed her out. Do me a favor and stop stressing me out. You're still relying on me to take care of you in your old age, remember?"

"You're right, kiddo. Let's leave the past in the past. Tomorrow, I'm walking you down that aisle and handing you over to Jason myself."

"My mom has an afternoon flight to catch up with her travel buddies. I've already said goodbye to Gwen for us," Sophie answered smoothly on her mother's behalf.

During the reception, George had been staring at her mother with a heat that made Sophie intensely uncomfortable.

"George, I think Gwen is looking for you."

Gavin placed a firm but polite hand on George's shoulder, physically turning him toward where Gwen was standing.

Sure enough, seeing her father trying to ambush Sarah, Gwen was already storming over. The glare she shot him looked exactly like a mother zeroing in on a misbehaving toddler.

George awkwardly shuffled toward his daughter. Gwen shot him a death glare before waving cheerfully at Sophie and Sarah. "Have an amazing trip, Sarah!"

Watching Sarah disappear through the venue doors, Gavin turned to Sophie. "Is George... interested in your mom?"

"Yeah. Gwen warned me a few days ago. She told me to just ignore it because she had already verbally destroyed his hopes and dreams."

"Wow. I'm definitely going to keep a close eye on you. I refuse to be throwing punches in my sixties just to keep other guys away."

Hearing the low, rumbling laugh in Gavin's chest, Sophie playfully pinched him hard on the waist.