My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 842

Mrs. Davis was at a loss for words for a moment before finally saying, “Tristan has someone he cares about. If we force him to marry Cynthia, he’s bound to resent it.”

Mr. Davis chimed in, trying to reason with Steven. “You know what they say—forced love never lasts. Tristan doesn’t like Cynthia, and Cynthia is such a proud young woman. Do you really think she’d stand for her husband loving someone else? Seeing her break down in tears like that… it would’ve been better to be honest from the start, let her meet other young men.”

Steven Davis shot them a sideways glance, his tone impatient. “You’re all adults, still talking about who likes whom? It’s not just about Tristan. Didn’t you both get married after just a handful of meetings? Love isn’t everything. What matters most is mutual support and companionship.”

He looked between them, stern. “Tristan may be too young to understand this, but don’t tell me you two, at your age, still don’t get it?”

Mr. and Mrs. Davis fell silent, a little embarrassed under his criticism.

Steven pressed on. “You both left for the States not long after Tristan was born. I’m the one who raised him. How much of your responsibility as parents have you really fulfilled? On this matter, your opinions don’t count.”

That was the final straw—Mr. and Mrs. Davis were visibly displeased, and neither of them spoke again.

On the drive home, Mr. Rivera tried to comfort his daughter. “Cynthia, if Tristan won’t come around, maybe it’s time to let go, hmm?”

He glanced at her in the rearview mirror, searching for a sign that she was listening.

Cynthia sat with her head bowed, hands propping up her chin, her eyes red and swollen. She pressed her lips together, silent.

Mrs. Rivera gently rubbed Cynthia’s back and exchanged a look with her husband, heaving a soft sigh.

Of course, Mr. Rivera’s heart ached for his daughter. He hated seeing her rejected so bluntly, as if she were somehow unworthy. When he spoke of Tristan, he couldn’t help but sound a little harsh.

“It’s just one Tristan Davis. If he’s not the one, there’s always Garfield Davis. I know plenty of young businessmen—honestly, they’re just as impressive. And if you’re set on good looks, honey, your old man can take you to Europe or the States to find a male model.”

He tried to keep his tone light, hoping to coax a smile out of her.

Mrs. Rivera shot him an exasperated look. “Can you be serious for once?”

She shot Mr. Rivera a warning glare.

He awkwardly looked away, falling silent.

Cynthia leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder, voice trembling. “But how can you help, Mom? Tristan’s made it clear how he feels, and he’s interested in someone else. What can I do to make him love me, to make him want to marry me?”

Love was never something you could force; it had to come from both sides.

Mrs. Rivera felt a headache coming on—matters of the heart were always the hardest to handle.

She couldn’t change Tristan’s feelings, but when it came to the wedding arrangements… well, that was another matter altogether.

The things Tristan had said at dinner made Mrs. Rivera uneasy. He was so resolute, so unyielding. If Cynthia really did end up marrying him, with a personality like his, she would face no shortage of heartache in their marriage.