Chapter 41

The cold Seattleair hits me like a slap in the face as we step outside the private hangar toward my car. After the warm Baja sun, this is the reality check. The reminder that our honeymoon bubble has officially burst, and things won't be as easy from this point forward.

Ameline shivers next to me, wrapping her arms around herself. I drape my jacket over her shoulders and pull her close. Her body melts against mine, still soft and pliant from the days we were away. I brush my lips over her temple, not ready to let go.

"I wish we didn't have to come back," she murmurs.

"Me too, baby."

But we have no choice. The clock is ticking on her surgery date. There's a lot to do before that day.

Am I ready for that? Can I be what she needs? So many questions and so much uncertainty. The only thing I know for sure is how deeply, terrifyingly in love with her I am.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks softly.

I glance at her, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm just thinking about how happy I am, going home with my wife," I say, my words cloaking all my anxieties.

The holidays are almost here, and what am I supposed to do with Ameline? I'm not ready to tell them the truth. And how am I supposed to introduce her? This is my roommate and has nowhere to go so let's adopt her. That won't fly. Fuck, I can't believe I got married without telling my parents.

"What are you thinking?" she asks.

I wave a hand. "Nothing, really."

"Well, since we're back in Seattle, we can approach the subject of your wealth."

I swallow a groan. So much for letting things go that easily. "There's no wealth. I'm just comfortable and have a few things at my disposal."

She laughs, then points at the private jet. "Just comfortable? People don't have planes at their disposal or a mansion in Mexico, and . . . you're rich."

"My parents are rich. My grandparents own the house," I try not to sound defensive, but it's almost impossible.

Ameline shakes her head. "We should sign a prenup or something that guarantees you that I won't be taking any of your wealth."

I frown. "Why would I do that?"

"That's what Dad does with all his wives," she states, then clears her throat. "I called him, you know? Dad. I wanted to tell him I was sick. Maybe if he knew about it . . . but he hasn't responded."

I pull her to me, resting my forehead against hers. "Sorry, baby. I wish there were something I could do to fix that."

"I know," she mumbles, hugging my waist.

I draw her closer, pulling her tighter to me, trying to take away all the sadness with this one hug. I wish I could do more, but for now, this is all I have to offer. The reassurance that I love her and she's not alone. "Ready to go home, wife?"

She smiles, eyes shining. "Say it again."

"Wife." I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. "I love you, Mrs. Decker."

And I do, but we're also back to reality, back to the looming holidays and the Decker family circus.

A circus I'm not ready to unleash on her yet.

As we approach our house, a light inside catches my attention. Is it one of my siblings, or perhaps my parents? I steer the car into the garage, my mind racing with possibilities. I assist her out of the car, scooping her into my arms. Her body fits naturally against mine.

She rests softly against my shoulder, her breath warm on my skin—her arms loop gently around my neck.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Decker," I whisper, brushing her lips with mine.

As we cross the threshold, Jude's voice suddenly cuts through the moment. "Aw, this is such a cute picture," he says, startling me.

I tense, turning toward him. "What the fuck are you doing here?" My voice is a mix of surprise and caution, eyes narrowing slightly as I take in his casual demeanor.

Jude stands there, nonchalantly holding a bag of chips, his longish hair tied into a bun. "Heard you got married. Decided to check on you and meet the missus," he says with a casual shrug.

My heart races. "What the fuck?" The words escape me in a hushed exclamation. Gently but with a sense of urgency, I lower Ameline back to the ground. My mind whirls. How did Jude find out?

Anger and confusion bubbles inside me. Did Archer tell him? So much for keeping my secrets and all that best friend shit we spewed when we were younger.

"So, are you going to introduce me to your bride?" He steps forward with a grin, extending his hand. "Jude Decker, the hot one of the two," he introduces himself with his typical arrogant air that's only characteristic of my twin.

Ameline can't help but laugh. "So you're burning up and in need of medical assistance? You should check with a doctor. It sounds dangerous."

Jude nods, his smile unwavering. "Funny." He looks at me. "She's funny."

"Cut the crap," I warn him.

"I meant that I'm the most handsome of the two among other things. You should've waited to meet me before marrying this asshole," he jokes, playfully clasping my shoulder.

I shoot him a warning glance, but the moment is lightened by Ameline's amusement. "I don't see much of a difference between you two—since you're identical—but it's nice to meet you, Jude."

"Oh, it's all in the personality." He winks at her. "You can always divorce him and choose me. It's never too late."

Before Ameline can say anything, her phone's ringtone interrupts her. She glances at it, and a flicker of concern crosses her features.

"It's—it's my mom. I'll answer upstairs," she says quickly.

Jude's eyes narrow as Ameline slips away to take her call. "What the fuck did you do, Gabriel?"

I'm not sure what to say, but then he continues. "You got married? Married. We don't even know her, and suddenly you're hitched. Did you even think about a prenup or something to protect yourself?"

"It's none of your fucking business," I snap back. "But who told you?"

"Archer was on his way to file your signed marriage license to make it legal." He smirks. "The asshole thought he could hide something from me."

"Can you keep this between us?" I ask. "Because, honestly, I'm not ready to discuss it with anyone in the family."

"Why would you marry a woman you barely know?" Jude presses, his eyebrows arching in confusion and concern.

"It's not like that," I say, and then I tell him how I met Ameline and forged a friendship with her.

He shakes his head. "Archer mentioned something about her being sick, dying, even. Is that true? Did you marry her out of pity?"

His words hit me like a physical blow, igniting a fury within me. In a flash, I'm pushing him up against the wall, my face inches from his. "Shut up, asshole," I growl, my voice a dangerous whisper. "She's not dying. She's going to be fine." The words come out more as a fervent prayer than a statement of fact fueled by a mixture of fear and hope.

Jude lifts his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I'm just trying to figure you out. Why are you marrying this chick all of a sudden?"

Because I love her,I want to say, but he needs more than just that. I know him better than I know myself. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I step back, releasing him. My voice is low, strained. "Ameline has . . . she has a brain tumor." The words are terrifying, and when I say them out loud, I realize how much it scares me to lose her.

I begin to tell him everything that's happened to Ameline in the past days. Jude doesn't interrupt me until I'm done.

"That's a lot, but you didn't need to marry her." The skepticism in his voice bothers me.

"She wouldn't accept my help any other way," I counter.

"Mom's not going to love this."

I scoff, knowing well that Pria Decker is going to be pretty upset when she finds out what I did, and Dad will be right next to her, giving me the look of disappointment he's perfected throughout the years. But this isn't the time for that. At least not yet.

Jude's reaction to my impromptu wedding just confirmed my fears and showed me how the family will react. There's no way I'm going to submit Ameline to any of this when she needs to be stress free. For now, she's just my roommate. We'll give them the news later. A lot later, when she's recovered, and I can handle their scrutiny.

"Which is why we're not telling anyone," I tell Jude.

"Really, you're hiding your wife?" He crosses his arms. "I can't wait to see how you're planning on blocking the sun with one finger."

It's not that hard. I just need his help. "We'll figure it out—I'm counting on you."

Just then, Ameline approaches. Jude and I fall silent, our conversation halted by her arrival.

"Mom . . . she's not doing well. She wants to see me," Ameline says, her voice carrying a heavy mixture of sadness and resolve. "The doctors are recommending hospice care."

I look at her, see the pain in her eyes, and feel a surge of protectiveness. "Let's get you to her as soon as you're ready," I say softly, then turn to Jude. "Her mom is at Seattle Memorial. I'll send you all the details. Can you get our people to figure out what's next and ensure they give her the best care?"

Jude closes his eyes and nods. I understand he doesn't approve, but I appreciate that he'll support me. He salutes me. "I'll be here for you."