[BL] A Marriage Ruled by Family, Saved by Desire-Chapter 68: A Victory Without a Fight

~Alistair’s POV~

Alex raised an eyebrow. "No breakfast?"

I shook my head with a small smile. "We can eat at home. I just want us to get back and relax properly."

Alex didn’t argue. He nodded and got out of bed with me.

We got dressed and started getting ready to leave. Not long after, our driver came upstairs to collect our bags and the gifts Alex had prepared from the anniversary celebration.

Once everything was packed, we headed downstairs and left together.

The drive home was quiet and calm. Alex held my hand most of the way, occasionally squeezing it while looking out the window.

But the moment we arrived at the house, the calm feeling faded.

As soon as we stepped out of the car, Alex stopped walking.

I followed his gaze toward the garage.

There was a car parked there that we both recognized.

Alex’s mother’s car.

The atmosphere around the house suddenly felt heavier.

Alex turned to the driver. "When did my mother arrive?"

The driver looked slightly uncomfortable. "She came yesterday, sir."

Alex frowned. "Yesterday? Why didn’t you call me to tell me she was here?"

The driver shifted nervously. "Madam said no one in the house should call you to inform you she was here."

Alex exhaled slowly.

For a second, neither of us moved.

Then he straightened and walked toward the house. I followed beside him.

When we stepped inside, we found his mother sitting in the living room, watching television like she owned the place.

Alex clearly wasn’t happy to see her. Every time she appeared, trouble usually followed.

For a moment, I wondered if things would have been different if Alex hadn’t been ignoring her calls. Maybe she wouldn’t have shown up here like this. But it was too late to think about that now.

She was already here.

Alex didn’t stop in the living room. He started walking straight toward the stairs.

Behind us, her voice cut through the room.

"Alex. Didn’t you see me?"

Alex stopped and turned back slowly. "Good morning, Mother," he said, his tone clipped and formal.

As soon as he greeted her, I quickly bowed my head slightly in respect. "Good morning, Mom."

Alex’s mother gave a small wave in my direction. "Good morning, Alis," she said.

Then she turned to Alex, her expression tightening.

"I have been calling you repeatedly. Why aren’t you picking up my calls?" she snapped as she turned to face him.

Alex didn’t even blink. He pulled me a little closer to his side, his arm firm around me, a quiet but clear gesture that told his mother exactly where I stood.

"I’ve been busy, Mother," he said calmly. "I was spending time with my husband. I was giving him my full attention, the way he deserves."

A warm feeling rose in my chest. He wasn’t just defending me. He was making it clear that I came first.

His mother’s lips tightened, but she didn’t argue about that part.

"Fine," she said sharply. "The reason I came is that I’m attending a friend’s party this weekend, and I want you to come with me alone."

Alex gave a short, humorless laugh.

"Mom, which part of this situation do you not understand?" he said. "I left your house because of what you did. You haven’t apologized, and I haven’t even said I forgive you yet. And now you show up here to invite me to a party?"

He shook his head.

"I’m not interested in going anywhere with you."

"You will come with me," she insisted, her voice rising. "This event is important. Everyone will be there with their children, and you will be there too."

Alex didn’t move. If anything, he looked even more solid standing there.

"Fine," he said. "If I come, my husband is coming with me."

His mother frowned.

Alex didn’t back down.

"If Alis isn’t allowed to come with me," he finished calmly, "then I’m not going to your party. Period."

His mother opened her mouth to argue, her face reddening, but I decided it was time to end the confrontation for now. I leaned into Alex, resting my hand on his arm.

"Baby," I said softly, making sure my voice carried enough for her to hear. "I think I need to go upstairs and change. I’m not comfortable staying in these clothes."

Alex’s expression softened instantly when he looked at me. In that moment, it was obvious where his priorities were.

"Excuse me, Mother," Alex said, turning back to her briefly. "When I’m done with my husband, I’ll come back downstairs and we can talk."

Without waiting for her response, we walked upstairs together. For the first time, Alex was truly standing up to her in our own home.

When we reached the privacy of our room and the door clicked shut, a quiet wave of relief washed over me. The air felt lighter immediately. Alex was still tense, his shoulders squared as if he were still bracing for a fight. I walked over to him, reaching out to touch his chest.

"Baby," I whispered, turning my back to him slightly. "Help me with my clothes."

Alex let out a long breath, and I felt his hands settle gently on my shoulders. His fingers moved slowly as he began to help me out of my jacket, his touch careful, lingering for a moment against my skin. With every small movement, I could feel the tension leaving him, as if the simple act of helping me was slowly pulling him away from his anger.

I decided to play the part of the understanding, selfless husband, the one she could never claim I wasn’t.

"Baby, take it easy with your mom," I said, my voice soft and soothing. "You know, she’s still your mother at the end of the day. If she really wants you to go alone with her to the party... I’m okay with it. I’m used to this, Alex. Just go with her so she’ll be happy."

Alex stopped moving. He turned me around to face him, his eyes fierce and resolute. "No, baby. No way. I am not going with her alone, not anymore."

He lifted his hands and cupped my face, his thumbs brushing softly along my cheeks.

"The past isn’t going to repeat itself, Alis," he said. "It’s time I stand up for my home. For us. I won’t let anyone ruin what we have again. If you’re not beside me, then I’m not stepping into that party."

I looked up at him, my expression one of sweet, humble acceptance. I leaned forward and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his neck. "Okay, baby. If that’s what you want."

But inside? Inside, I was soaring. A sense of absolute victory surged through my veins. Finally...