Married to the Devil

Chapter 55

To say the least, dinner was awkward.

Mum had brought out her famous chili and spooned a plate full of it for each of us. When she got to Derek, she hesitated for a few seconds with a look of disgust on her face, before she finally set it down. Dad was leaned far back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were wide in horror like he couldn't decipher if the man who sat in front of him was real or a ghost.

Mia sat on my side of the table and bounced in her seat. It made me feel good that she was on this side and not next to my parents. It was like three against two. And right then I needed all the support that I could get.

Mum sat down at the table, deliberately unaknowledging Derek. With her voice muted she whispered a few words under her breath. From what I could conclude they went something like this:

Dear God, please save our family from this asshole who sits at our table here today. Oh and please excuse my language.

I wanted to grab her by the front of her shirt and shake some sense into her. Asshole? Please. He had changed in all the right ways and was almost a completely different person from his troubled- teenaged- youth self. But clearly neither Mum nor Dad saw it that way. All they saw was his one mistake and like a biased judge in court, they had already written off his future without examining all the facts.

How was I supposed to convince them otherwise?

Mia cleared her throat, her eyes furrowed as if she suddenly realized the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Sooooo, Kate, how are you?"

I smiled and flashed my engagement ring that Derek had bought me yesterday.

"Perfect. Everything is absolutely​ perfect," I giggled girlishly, "Being a fiancée is such an amazing feeling. I can't believe I'm getting married. Again."

Finally, Mum looked up from her meal, her eyes narrowed as she glanced at me before shaking her head.

I ignored her looks and put on a cheery smile, "So Mum, how are you?"

"Fine," She said, her tone harsh and clipped.

I faked a smile, "That's great to hear. And you Dad?"

"In all honesty Kate, my day was going wonderfully until I had to attend this dinner."

"Oh," Was all I could muster up.

I was suddenly angry. I really thought that this dinner might change things for my family and I about my marital decision. I was wrong.

Derek spoke up with a sincere look on his face, "Mr and Mrs. Williams, I would just like to deeply apologize for my actions that fateful night. Events from my personal life caused me to act out and even though that's not an excuse, I really am sorry."

Mum said nothing. She stared down at her plate as if she was reminding herself of that night.

Dad began to speak, "That's a very thoughtful apology Derek. But the events of that night are too horrific for us to forgive you. I'm sorry but we just can't."

My fiancé frowned and my plastic smile faded in an instant.

Mum looked up angrily, "You will never be a part of this family. Have you forgotten what you've done? On my daughter's birthday no less! You weren't there to see her face when it happened. To see how broken she was because of what you did-"

"Actually-" I began.

Mum shot me a look, "Don't defend him Kate. He needs to hear this."

I quieted and let her speak.