My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 279

HEROUS

Chapter 279

“You show her through consistent actions over time.” Dad spoke up. “Nate, trust isn’t rebuilt overnight. You hurt Rose for two weeks. It’ll take longer than that to prove you’ve changed. You need to be patient. Consistent. Honest about what you’re feeling instead of hiding behind fear.”

“I told her vampires appreciate flowers. Night-blooming ones.” Mom’s voice was thoughtful. “That’s good, Nate. She was giving you information. Helping you understand how to court her properly. Take that seriously.” S

“I am. I’m going to get her flowers. Tomorrow. And-and other things. Whatever she needs. Whatever shows her I’m actually trying.”

“Good.” Mom paused. “Nate, Rose has been spending time with me specifically because her mate was avoiding her. She needed-friendship. Support. Someone to talk to about pack culture and traditions. I’ve gotten to know her these past two weeks. And son-she’s perfect for you. If you’d given her a chance from the beginning instead of running scared.”

“What’s she like?” I asked. “Really like? Beyond what I saw in those first ten seconds before I panicked?”

“She’s thoughtful. Asks deep questions about why we do things instead of just accepting surface answers. She’s artistic-loves the night-blooming flowers in my garden, says they remind her of home. She’s diplomatic but honest. Kind but not naive.” Mom smiled slightly. “She’s also funny. Dry humor that catches you off guard. And she’s-she’s lonely, Nate. She’s far from home, learning a new culture, dealing with a mate who doesn’t want her. She’s been lonely and sad and trying very hard to hide it.”

The guilt intensified. “I did that. Made her lonely when she should have had me. Made her sad when the mate bond should have made her happy.”

“Yes. You did.” Mom didn’t soften it. “But Nate-you can also fix it. If you actually try. If you’re consistent. If you show Rose through actions that she matters. That the bond matters. That you’re done being scared.”

“I will. I promise.” I looked at both my parents. “Mom, Dad-how did you do it? How did you rebuild after Dad almost destroyed the bond? What made it work?” 1

Mom and Dad exchanged glances. Some private communication that came from decades of being mated.

“Honesty,” Dad said. “I had to be honest about what I’d done wrong. About why I’d made terrible choices. About what I was feeling instead of hiding behind excuses. Your mother needed to know the real me-flaws and all— before she could trust me again.”

“And consistency,” Mom added. “Connor had to prove over time-months, years-that he’d actually changed. That he wasn’t just performing until I forgave him. Actions over time. That’s what rebuilt trust.” 2

“And patience,” Dad continued. “Grace needed time to heal. Time to process the betrayal. Time to decide if she could actually trust me again. I had to give her that time without pushing. Without demanding forgiveness before she was ready.”

“And love,” Mom finished. “Underneath everything-the honesty, the consistency, the patience-was love. Real love. The kind that chooses each other every day. That fights for the relationship even when it’s hard. That refuses to give up.” 1

“Rose and I barely know each other,” I said. “How do we get to love when we’re starting from rejection instead of connection?”

“The same way we did. One day at a time. One honest conversation at a time. One choice to try instead of run.” Mom touched my face gently. “Nate, you’re not doomed to repeat your father’s mistakes. You’re also not

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guaranteed to avoid them. You’re just you. Making your own choices, Creating your own story with Rose.”

“What if I fail anyway? What if I try and Rose still rejects the bond?”

Then you’ll have tried. You’ll know you gave it honest effort instead of sabotaging it from fear.” Dad stood, moving to sit on my other side. “But Nate–I don’t think you’ll fail. I think you’re scared you’ll succeed. That you’ll fall for Rose completely and have to admit the Moon Goddess knew exactly what she was doing”

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