Chapter 95 — The Answer
The question hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Mrs. Wilson didn't blink.
Richard Wilson watched quietly from his chair.
And Alex—
Alex stood just behind Amber, his hand still resting on the back of her chair.
Still.
Silent.
Waiting.
Amber's heart beat once.
Twice.
Then slower.
Because strangely—
She wasn't panicking.
She'd expected judgment tonight.
Tests.
Questions.
But not this one.
Not the most dangerous question in existence.
Do you love my son?
There were a thousand ways she could answer.
A polite dodge.
A clever joke.
A vague response.
But something about the way Mrs. Wilson asked—
Calm.
Direct.
Honest—
Made Amber realize something.
They weren't testing her intelligence.
They were testing her truth.
And Amber Gareth had many flaws.
But lying about feelings wasn't one of them.
She exhaled slowly.
Then looked directly at Mrs. Wilson.
"No," she said.
Silence exploded across the room.
Alex didn't move.
But she felt it.
That tiny shift behind her.
Not anger.
Not disappointment.
Just surprise.
Richard's eyebrow lifted slightly.
Mrs. Wilson remained perfectly still.
Amber continued before anyone could interrupt.
"I don't love him."
The words sounded strange in the quiet room.
"But," she added calmly, "I might."
Alex's fingers tightened slightly against the chair.
Amber leaned back slightly.
Composed.
Honest.
"I respect him. I trust him. I like him more than I planned to."
Mrs. Wilson watched her carefully.
Amber shrugged lightly.
"And your son is… persistent."
That earned the faintest hint of amusement from Richard.
Just the ghost of one.
Amber's gaze softened slightly.
"But love?" she continued. "That's not something I pretend to have after a few months."
Mrs. Wilson tilted her head.
"And yet you accepted his ring."
Amber glanced briefly at her hand.
The diamond flashed under the chandelier.
"Yes," she said.
"Why?"
Amber didn't hesitate.
"Because he didn't ask for love."
The room went still again.
Amber looked at Alex briefly.
Then back at his parents.
"He asked me to stay."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"And that felt honest."
Mrs. Wilson studied her face.
Searching.
Measuring.
Amber didn't look away.
Because this was the truth.
And truth didn't need defense.
Finally—
Mrs. Wilson leaned back in her chair.
Something subtle changed in her expression.
Not approval.
Not yet.
But something close to respect.
"Alexander," she said calmly, without looking at him, "did you know this?"
Alex's voice came quietly from behind Amber.
"Yes."
Mrs. Wilson finally looked at her son.
"And you're comfortable with that?"
"Yes."
Richard spoke for the first time since the question.
His voice deep.
Controlled.
"You're comfortable marrying someone who doesn't love you."
Alex answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Amber turned slightly in her chair.
"…You're not helping your reputation," she murmured.
His gaze met hers.
Calm.
Certain.
"I'm not marrying a reputation."
The room went quiet again.
Richard watched his son carefully.
Mrs. Wilson watched Amber.
And Amber suddenly realized something.
They weren't judging her anymore.
They were watching him.
Because Alex Wilson—
The controlled, calculated, untouchable man they knew—
Was standing behind a woman who openly admitted she didn't love him.
And he was still there.
Still steady.
Still certain.
Mrs. Wilson spoke slowly.
"Most women would've said yes."
Amber smiled faintly.
"Most women want approval."
"And you don't?"
Amber shrugged lightly.
"I prefer honesty."
Richard leaned forward slightly.
"And honesty says you might love my son someday?"
Amber met his gaze.
"Yes."
Mrs. Wilson's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And if you don't?"
Amber didn't hesitate.
"Then I'll leave."
Alex didn't react.
Not even slightly.
That silence spoke louder than any reassurance could have.
Mrs. Wilson noticed.
Of course she did.
She turned toward her son.
"You would let her?"
"Yes."
"Just like that?"
Alex's voice remained calm.
"If she stops choosing me, she shouldn't stay."
Amber looked up at him.
That stupid word again.
Choose.
Stay.
Why did he keep making it sound so simple?
Mrs. Wilson exhaled slowly.
Then, unexpectedly—
She smiled.
Small.
Rare.
But real.
"Well," she said, rising from her chair, "at least you're both honest."
Richard stood as well.
Amber blinked.
"…That's it?" she asked.
Richard gave a small nod.
"For now."
Mrs. Wilson walked toward her.
Amber stood instinctively.
The older woman stopped in front of her.
Her gaze dropped briefly to the ring again.
Then returned to Amber's face.
"You're not what I expected," she said.
Amber raised an eyebrow.
"Good or bad?"
Mrs. Wilson considered the question.
"…Interesting."
Amber accepted that.
Mrs. Wilson's eyes softened just slightly.
"Alexander has always been difficult to surprise."
Her gaze shifted between them.
"You managed it."
Alex finally moved.
His hand rested briefly on Amber's shoulder.
Warm.
Protective.
Mrs. Wilson noticed.
Again.
And something thoughtful crossed her face.
"Dinner is ready," she said calmly.
Amber exhaled quietly.
Round one survived.
But as they walked toward the dining room—
Richard Wilson spoke again.
His voice thoughtful.
Measured.
"Amber."
She turned.
"Yes?"
His gaze was steady.
Evaluating.
"One more question."
Amber folded her arms lightly.
"Go ahead."
Richard asked calmly—
"When my son inevitably makes enemies because of this engagement…"
A pause.
Then—
"Will you still stay?"
Amber didn't answer immediately.
But the look she gave Alex—
Said far more than words ever could.