He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 94

Rose didn’t agree with Sophia’s way of thinking—marrying for power and connections—but she could understand that Sophia’s words came from a place of concern for Houston’s well-being. Sophia wanted to protect Houston and ease his burdens. That much Rose respected. So she said nothing.

But Houston was having none of it. He set his glass down on the coffee table with a sharp thud and looked Sophia straight in the eye. "Aunt Sophia, that’s not something you should be saying to Rose. I married her for who she is, not for her family background. Where she comes from makes no difference to me."

Sophia stared at him, momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, she said, her voice tinged with hurt, "You’d really scold me over your wife?"

Houston’s face flushed with guilt. "Aunt Sophia, I..."

Sophia let a few tears fall, but then quickly brushed them away and smiled with practiced ease. "It’s fine. I may not be thrilled about Rose’s background, but she’s beautiful, kind, and clearly you care for her. That’s enough for me. I’ll treat her like my own daughter."

Houston let out a breath of relief.

By lunchtime, Sophia insisted on cooking for Houston and Rose herself.

While she was busy in the kitchen, Houston took Rose for a walk around the estate.

Neither of them expected Owen to show up unannounced with his girlfriend. As soon as Owen’s car rolled up, his loud voice echoed from outside. "Isn’t that the clunker Houston uses to pick up girls? Damn, is he back?"

Houston shot Rose an awkward glance, his handsome face tinged with embarrassment.

When Owen and his girlfriend walked inside, they immediately caught sight of Houston and Rose staring right at them.

Owen smacked himself. "That’s what I get for running my mouth."

Houston glared at him. "Get over here."

Owen shuffled forward nervously.

"Now say that again—with your head on straight."

Owen gave a theatrical sigh and rephrased, "Houston, weren’t you driving that car to pick Rose up all the time, until you finally won her over? I wasn’t wrong to say you used it to get the girl, right?"

Rose wasn’t one to read too much into things. Since Owen had put it that way, she didn’t think too much of it. "It’s all right, Houston. Owen was just joking. Don’t be too hard on him. Aunt Sophia would be upset to see you two fighting."

Houston relented. "You should thank Rose for speaking up for you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be getting off so easy today."

Owen grinned and stuck out his tongue. "Thanks, Rose."

Just then, Sophia came out of the kitchen carrying dishes—only to stop cold when she saw Owen and his girlfriend.

She yanked off her apron in frustration. "You little brat. You show up without warning? I didn’t cook for you. Go grab dinner somewhere else."

Owen wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pleading. "Come on, Mom. It’s Evelyn’s first time here. You can’t send her away."

Rose swallowed hard. So this is the famous Owen everyone talks about.

"Aunt Sophia," he finally said, his voice rough with emotion, "she’s not coming back."

Sophia sighed heavily. "She loved you more than anyone ever could. You would have done anything for her. It breaks my heart that you two didn’t end up together."

A sharp, unrelenting pain twisted in Rose’s chest.

She stumbled back upstairs and shut herself in the bedroom.

Lying on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, her gaze blank with despair.

Pressing a trembling hand to her aching heart, her mind spun with thoughts.

So Houston had a first love after all.

She’d never wanted to marry a man who still carried feelings for another woman. But she had no right to resent him—not when she’d been the one to rush into marriage, not when she’d asked nothing about his past before agreeing to marry him.

And to be fair, Houston had honored every promise he’d made to her as a husband. He had fulfilled his role with care and integrity.

They’d entered this marriage knowing it wasn’t built on love. She’d accepted that. So why was she being so foolish now?

Don’t be greedy, Rose, she told herself bitterly. You knew what this was—don’t start wanting more now. Houston’s already given you more than you deserve.