harleyscars Chapter 217: Give your relationship a name
Chapter 217: Give your relationship a name
While Kyle was talking to his cousin on the phone, Amanda stepped a little farther away and hesitantly called her mother.
She still hadn’t told her parents that she was dating Kyle. By now, she was sure they had already guessed it, especially after the way her father had treated Kyle during the gathering. Even so, the truth had never been spoken aloud.
Her mother was particularly reserved when it came to matters like these, largely because Amanda did not belong to an ordinary family.
As the sole heiress of Maylith, countless eyes were always on her. That was why her mother constantly reminded her to carry herself with dignity in public and avoid anything that could tarnish their family’s reputation.
Amanda had never regretted dating Kyle, not even once. Still, she knew her mother would see things differently.
And she had a feeling her mother was not as much aware of things as her father. That’s what got her nervous.
But today... she had to take this step.
Because she wanted to stay with Kyle.
And this time, she had no intention of lying.
Ring
{Hello? Amanda? Where are you? Have you looked at the clock?}
"Ah, hey, Mom. I’m actually with a friend. He’s in the hospital, so I’m taking care of him." She started casually, hoping to ease her mother’s concern.
{Which friend? And how is he?}
"He’s doing better now..." As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Kyle. He sat a short distance away, a faint smile on his face as he chatted with his cousin.
{Is that so? Then when are you coming back?}
There it was.
The question she had been dreading.
For a brief moment, the temptation to lie surfaced. But then she remembered the promise she had made to Blake earlier. This time, she wouldn’t deceive them.
Amanda let out a slow breath before saying, "Mom... I won’t be coming back today. I’m staying here, with him."
There was a brief moment of silence from the other end.
Amanda braced herself for the questions that were sure to follow. She was prepared to explain herself and, if necessary, argue if her mother demanded that she return home.
However, the first question she heard caught her completely off guard.
{It’s Kyle, right?}
"Huh?" Amanda blinked in surprise. "Mom... how..." She couldn’t even bring herself to finish the question.
{Well, if it had been anyone else, you wouldn’t have done much beyond sending flowers and sparing a few minutes of your day. But those rules seem to change when it comes to Kyle.}
"..."
Amanda fell silent.
Her mother wasn’t wrong.
Still, did she really come across as such a cold-hearted girl in other people’s eyes?
{Haah, Amanda... I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, especially when you’re clearly serious about this young man. However, I do want you to understand the consequences of being involved in a relationship like this without a proper name.}
Her mother’s tone became more serious. It wasn’t a reprimand. It sounded more like a patient explanation.
{You don’t come from an ordinary background where people quickly forget who dated whom. You are a member of the Maylith clan, a prestigious family whose mistakes people are always eager to gossip about.}
{And the person you’ve chosen to date belongs to a noble family as well. Whether you like it or not, the two of you are already under considerable scrutiny.}
Amanda crossed one arm beneath her chest and replied, "Mom... I am serious about him. And Kyle isn’t treating this casually either."
{I know. I’ve seen it in his eyes. I can tell how serious he is about you. But, dear, being a good boyfriend isn’t enough.}
Then her mother asked a question that made Amanda hesitate.
{I want to know if he’s ready to commit.}
Amanda’s fingers tightened slightly around her phone.
{Amy... is he prepared to give your relationship an official name? Is he ready to get engaged to you?}
Amanda fell silent at the question.
Almost instinctively, her gaze drifted toward Kyle.
She knew he was serious about her. She knew he couldn’t bear the thought of her no longer being a part of his life. During their brief breakup, she had seen firsthand how deeply he missed her.
But when it came to commitment, she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Kyle was still in a crucial phase of his life. He was new to the Aether world, constantly learning, growing, and pushing forward. Every day seemed to bring new opportunities, new people, and new experiences. Right now, he already had more than enough on his plate.
Could she really approach him and ask where exactly they stood?
"I’ll... talk to him about it," she replied absentmindedly, not even sure whether she truly meant those words.
However,
{Women don’t ask men to marry them. You can ask about his sincerity if you want, but he’s the one who should ask for your hand. Remember that, dear.}
Amanda groaned. "Then why would you even bring something like this up? Now you’ve got me all worked up..."
{Because I want you to be prepared for what may come next. Kyle is going to make a name for himself in the near future. And when that happens, you won’t want him getting swept up by society and, willingly or otherwise, choosing someone else over you.}
Amanda’s eyes widened.
"That won’t happen."
{It could. And if it does, there won’t be much anyone can do about it unless you secure your place in his life while you still have the chance. Be quick, daughter. I don’t want to see you crying all over again. Do you understand me?}
Amanda quietly hummed in response.
"I understand."
The memory of their brief breakup was still painfully vivid.
It had left her shattered, barely holding herself together.
And when she tried to imagine a future where another woman stood beside Kyle as his wife while she watched from the sidelines...
The mere thought made her chest tighten. She couldn’t bear it. Not even for a moment.
{Good. Now go take care of him. I’ll somehow handle your father. Thankfully, you called me instead of him, or he might have already shown up at the hospital.}
Amanda let out a wry smile.
"Somehow, I can actually imagine that happening."
{Hmm. Alright then, take care.}
With that, the call ended.
Amanda slowly lowered her phone and released a quiet sigh. Leaning against the window, she let her gaze settle on the man a short distance away.
Kyle was casually scrolling through his phone, completely unaware of the conversation that had just taken place.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
’In this life, forget about getting rid of me, Kyle.’
Her eyes softened as she continued watching him.
’I’ve already planned out the next seventy years with you.’
The thought brought a warmth to her chest, followed by a quiet sense of determination.
’And I won’t let anyone ruin those plans.’
Her grip around the phone tightened slightly.
’Not even you.’
°°°°°°°
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