The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife (Blair and Grayson) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

~MARCO~

Caterina’s hands were still on my arms. I stepped out of them. I did not like her touching me. “Send her home,” I said to my mother, not bothering to play along with this nonsense.

Why would she show up here like this? After all these years. Why?

My mother did not move. The concern stayed on her face. The annoyance sat under it.

“Marco.”

“I need to speak to you and my father. It’s important. She shouldn’t be here for it.”

Caterina drew back as if I had slapped her. In the past, I never spoke to her or about her like this. It was definitely a first. But I was not interested in whatever act this was by the both of them.

“I came because you crashed,” she said in a hurt tone. “I don’t need to be dismissed like staff. I can let myself out if you truly do not wish to see me.”

“Yes. You need to go.” I confirmed for her.

Francesca’s smile thinned. “You are being rude. Caterina and you were once very close. If you have something to say, you can say it in front of her. She is not a stranger in this house. And she clearly cares about you a lot. After all these years, she still came to check on you after a serious accident.”

I looked at my mother and almost laughed. She wanted an audience to hear what I had to say.

Fine.

“If that’s how you want to do it,” I said.

I lifted my hand. The ring was right there. I’d bought it myself. One for Loretta and one for me.

“I am married. The wedding was today.”

My mother’s hand went to her chest. It was definitely the most dramatic expression I’d ever seen on her face in all my life.

She did not speak. For a second she looked as if my words had struck her somewhere a doctor would need to take a look at.

Caterina’s eyes went wide. Her mouth opened and nothing came out.

I knew she would be shocked as well. She had been my first and only serious relationship, one that deeply influenced my understanding of love and trust. After she broke my heart, I deliberately avoided pursuing any romantic connections, fearing the pain of heartbreak again.

To protect myself, I sought out someone who didn’t genuinely like me-someone unlikely to develop feelings or attachments. That’s why I chose Loretta. She didn’t care about who I was or my success. She was different from the others.

This was a strategic choice to make the eventual divorce process less painful and to minimize emotional complications once the marriage ended.

Caterina had ruined that part of me. She knew she had. I understand why she was surprised I finally got married. She probably thought I would be stuck on our past forever. Especially since no paparazzi had reported anything about me being in a relationship with anyone.

“You’re married?” Caterina asked, hesitantly.

“Yes.”

“To that girl you said you were seeing?” My mother finally found her voice again. “I told you to bring her here so I could meet her. I never said marry her. How can you do such a thing without telling anyone in your family?” “I did tell someone.” I admitted. “Luca. He

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My brother would probably kill me for letting my mother know that little detail. That he knew about it and didn’ t tell the rest of the family. Just went along with it.

“My Marco does not do stuff like this.” She shook her head. “You talk to me. You have always talked to me before a decision this large. A car, a contract, a house. You are not the type to get married and not tell your family. Where is the proof? Your father will not approve-”

“I’m sorry that I did not involve the rest of the family but it was a last minute decision,” I informed her.

“You are injured. You are not thinking properly. The crash-” she started but I cut her off.

“The crash did not mess with my head. They checked all of that. I did this willingly, mother.”

Caterina had a hand over her mouth. She looked at the ring, then at me, then at my mother.

“Proof,” my mother snapped. “Now. Before I call a family meeting.”

I walked out.

She followed. Of course she followed. Caterina came too, even though I wasn’t sure why she was involved in any of my business. This didn’t concern her. Still, she was watching everything, as if trying to confirm for herself that I really did get married.

The album was still on the passenger seat, face down.

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