Chapter 31 Meeting The Parents #3
Instinctively, she smoothed her gown with trembling hands before nervously tucking a loose blonde curl behind her ear.
Cassian noticed.
Without saying a word, he shifted closer until their sides touched. Then, in full view of everyone, he slid his arm firmly around her waist and pulled her against him.
The familiar warmth and solid strength grounding her instantly calmed some of her nerves.
"Mom. Dad."
The couple turned.
The moment the elegant woman saw Juliet standing beside her son, her eyes immediately lit up.
Cassian looked completely unbothered by the attention gathering around them.
His arm remained securely around Juliet as he said in his deep, steady voice,
"This is Juliet."
He paused briefly before adding, without the slightest hesitation,
"My fiancée."
Juliet's breath caught.
The elegant woman smiled warmly.
"So you're Juliet."
Before Juliet could even respond, the woman stepped forward and enveloped her in a warm hug.
Juliet froze.
She had expected scrutiny.
Judgment.
Questions.
What she hadn't expected was immediate affection.
The older woman held her for several moments before pulling back and taking both of Juliet's hands into hers.
She was elegant in a quiet, effortless way, with soft features that mirrored Cassian’s structure. Her eyes were almond-shaped, calm and perceptive, carrying a natural warmth that made people feel immediately at ease.
A few fine lines at the corners only softened her beauty further, like someone who smiled often and meant it. Her dark hair was neatly styled, pinned back in a simple, expensive-looking clasp that matched the understated grace of her evening dress.
"My name is Eloise," she said warmly. "I've been wanting to meet you for so long."
Beside her, the distinguished man stepped forward slightly.
He stood tall with a composed, refined presence, with the same unmistakable features as Cassian: sharp yet balanced bone structure, a straight nose, and calm, steady eyes that observed everything without rushing.
His hair was neatly combed back, salt beginning to thread through the dark.
He carried himself like someone used to rooms going silent when he spoke, yet his expression now was unexpectedly gentle.
“And I’m Casper,” he said, voice calm and courteous. A faint smile touched his lips. “It’s nice to finally meet the woman our son won’t stop talking about.”
Juliet blinked.
She turned to look at Cassian.
Cassian looked entirely unashamed.
If anything, he looked faintly smug.
Eloise laughed softly at Juliet's stunned expression.
"My son rarely talks about anyone," she explained affectionately. "So believe me when I say we were very curious about you."
Juliet opened her mouth. Then closed it again. For reasons she couldn't explain, her vision suddenly blurred.
No one noticed at first.
No one except Cassian.
The moment he saw her eyes redden, his expression changed.
Immediately, he stepped closer.
"Juliet?"
His deep voice was noticeably gentler.
Juliet quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, blinking rapidly. "I don't know why I'm crying."
But she did know.
For years, she had desperately sought acceptance.
No matter how hard she had tried, she had never truly been welcomed by Vincent's family.
She had spent years feeling as though she would never be enough.
Yet these people, who had only just met her, were looking at her with such warmth.
It overwhelmed her.
Eloise's expression instantly softened.
"Oh, sweetheart."
She pulled Juliet into another embrace.
"From now on, you're family."
That was all it took.
A tear slipped down Juliet's cheek.
Without hesitation, Cassian reached up and brushed it away with the pad of his thumb.
His dark eyes remained fixed on her face.
"Why are you crying?" he asked quietly.
Juliet let out a shaky laugh.
"I'm happy."
For several long seconds, Cassian simply looked at her.
Then, in front of everyone, he lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.
The intimate gesture caused several nearby guests to gasp quietly.
Cassian ignored them.
His arm tightened around Juliet protectively as he kept her tucked securely against his side.
Eloise’s gaze softened as it lingered on Juliet’s face, taking in the tears, the way Cassian held her like she mattered more than the entire world. Casper’s expression, usually composed and unreadable, carried something quieter now—approval, maybe even relief.
They exchanged a brief glance.
No words were needed.
Eloise gave a faint, almost imperceptible nod, then gently touched her husband’s arm.
“Come,” she murmured softly.
Casper inclined his head.
And just like that, without drawing attention or interrupting the moment, they turned away.
Their steps were unhurried, fading into the flow of the ballroom crowd as they deliberately gave the couple space—leaving Cassian and Juliet alone in the center of everything and yet somehow apart from it all.
Unfortunately, not everyone watching was pleased.
Across the ballroom, Vincent had witnessed the entire interaction.