The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1492

Samantha paused, giving her son a side-eye filled with pure annoyance. She let out a small snort. “Go ahead and gloat while you can.”

“Mom, don’t underestimate me.” Kenneth looked like he could burst into tears, but he managed a lopsided grin. “I’ll bring her home to you soon. Just wait.”

There was not a hint of doubt in his voice.

Samantha narrowed her eyes, cutting straight to the chase, her tone suddenly serious. “You haven’t brought home a girlfriend in years. Now you’re chasing after Emily out of nowhere. Are you actually serious about her, or is this just a fling for you? Be honest.”

Kenneth’s lips pressed into a thin line. Emily’s face flashed through his mind, real and vivid. His voice steadied, definite. “I’m serious. I want to marry her.”

The feeling just kept growing stronger, almost overwhelming. He had no idea where this level of certainty even came from. Maybe he’d liked Emily for much longer than he realized. He’d always treated her like a younger sister, and maybe that’s what had kept him from admitting it.

“Remember what you just promised.” Clearly satisfied, Samantha’s lips curled up with a knowing smile. Still, she spoke with that mom kind of gravity. “If you really choose her, you treat her right. No games, no lies. And if you break the family rules…”

She broke off and glanced toward her husband, who was in the middle of sipping his water.

Catching Samantha’s eye without warning, Kevin, who was usually all authority and pride, suddenly looked awkward. His hand shook, the water in his cup threatening to spill. He cleared his throat. “You’ll be on your knees in the family hall. And then you’re out. Disowned.”

Kneeling in the hall… The weight of that landed on Kenneth, and his eyes dropped down to his father’s knees. Suddenly, it all made sense—why Dad always complained about aching joints when he was a kid. No wonder. Being a Gates family man was no walk in the park.

“Dad, honestly, you worry too much.” Kenneth forced a grin. “That rule’s not coming for me.”

He’d chased down his future wife like his life depended on it. Of course he was going to cherish her. Besides, Emily had Lottie and Anthony on her side. Even their parents—future in-laws he hadn’t officially introduced to her—were already backing her up. Bully Emily? He wouldn’t even dream of it.

***

Another full day in bed took Kenneth’s longing for Emily from bad to unbearable. He couldn’t see her. He couldn’t stand it. All he could do was call her, again and again.

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