Chapter Thirty-Two
Grace
I pull Huxley to the room set aside for me to change and do my makeup and hair. I shut the door and lock it behind us. “What did you mean by a trust?” My voice shakes. Actually, my whole body is trembling as I wait for his response.
“Exactly what I said. I had Bryce set it up with my accountant. It’ll automatically pay your mother’s bills. Twenty-five thousand to Johns Hopkins each month. The payments will continue until they become unnecessary.”
“But what about when she wakes up and needs therapy at some place other than Johns Hopkins?”
“Also covered by the trust. Like I said, it’s for all your mother’s medical care.”
My mind whirls, trying to process what he’s done. At first glance, it seems incredibly generous, but part of me is deeply afraid. Nothing this good comes my way without ripping away something just as good or better. I understood what I was giving up with Nelson and Karie—just my dignity and bit of autonomy. But what am I losing with Huxley? Is it something I can part with?
“On what conditions?” I can barely get the question out. “Do you need me to do anything?”
He frowns in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“There must be something you want in return." I take a deep breath. “I need to know what that something is.”
“Oh. Well, yes, there is one thing.”
Here it comes. “What?”
“I want you not to worry about how much your mother’s care costs.”
That’s… it ? I stand there stupidly, blinking.
“When I thought Nelson was giving you twenty-five thousand dollars a month in spending allowance, I disapproved. It seemed ridiculously extravagant, given that he doesn’t make the kind of money to support you in such a way. I assumed you were difficult—greedy, even—and demanded the money from him. I had no idea he was using your mother’s life to control you.” He lets out a heavy, impatient sigh. “Jesus, he let his entire family push you around. But you’re my wife now. Of all the things you could be worried about, the ability to afford your mother’s care shouldn’t even be on the list. I have a reputation for being a dick, but I’m not that big of a dick. No money could be spent better than in saving your mother’s life.”
Can it really be true? I blink away tears. Nobody’s ever put their money where their mouth was, showed me my mother’s life was indeed valuable.
“It doesn’t matter if we fight, or you piss me off or…whatever. This trust will guarantee that your mother is always taken care of. It’s out of my control, and legally irrevocable.”
I fan my tear-heated face, then dab at my eyes to prevent my eyeliner from smearing. “I don’t even know what to say.” My voice is shaky with a suppressed sob. The heavy burden on my shoulders is gone, and I didn’t realize until now how difficult the struggle to save my mom’s life was for me. I did it because I love her, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.
A buoyant sensation fills me, and I cry-laugh, looking at Huxley’s handsome face through the tears. “I’m… Oh my God. Thank you .” I hug him. “I don’t even know what to say other than that, and that feels inadequate to express how much this means to me.”
“It’s nothing.” He hugs me back, placing warm arms around me. “A small wedding gift.”
“Not small.” I shake my head. “It’s huge. Life changing. Life saving . I seriously don’t know how to thank you.”
A corner of his mouth quirks up in a smile, but there’s a hint of discomfiture. Is he embarrassed by my praise? “Money should be spent well.” He kisses the tears at the edges of my eyes. “Your mother’s life is worth it.”
All the unease and unhappiness of the last three weeks melt away. We didn’t get off on the right foot, and we seem to communicate badly at times and say petty things. But when it really counts, he shows he cares.
What does it matter that the wedding decoration and color scheme are more suited for a funeral than a wedding? My husband just made sure Mom will be okay. Genuine hope for the future starts to bloom in my fluttering heart.