I Was Seated Alone at My Son’s Wedding — Then a Stranger Said ‘Act Like You’re With Me’

When we were alone again, he reached across the table and took my hand.

“I’m not suggesting we pretend the last 50 years didn’t happen.”

“I’m suggesting we decide what we want the next 20 years to look like.”

My phone buzzed against my purse, then again.

again.

“You should probably check that,” Theo said with knowing amusement.

“I suspect your son has done some research since we left the reception.”

I pulled out my phone to find 17 missed calls from Brandon and a stream of increasingly frantic text messages.

Mom, call me immediately.

Do you have any idea who Theodore Blackwood is?

He’s worth over $500 million.

What is your relationship with him?

Viven’s father wants to meet with him about the building purchase.

Can you arrange an introduction?

Please call.

We need to talk.

I showed the messages to Theo, who read them with obvious satisfaction.

“Interesting how quickly their interest in your personal life developed,” he observed.

“What are you going to do about the building?”

“Nothing.”

“The sale is final, the contracts are signed, and Ashworth Properties has 90 days to relocate.”

“Business is business.”

He paused, considering.

“though I suppose if someone convinced me that the current tenants had suddenly developed better manners and a proper appreciation for family relationships, I might be persuaded to consider a long-term lease arrangement.”

The implications were clear.

This wasn’t just about real estate.

It was about power, respect, and the sudden realization that the woman they’d dismissed as an embarrassment was connected to someone who could significantly impact their lives.

My phone buzzed again.

This time it was a call from Viven.

I looked at Theo, who nodded encouragingly.

“Hello, Vivien.”

“Ellaner!”

Her voice was strained, all traces of her earlier arrogance gone.

“I hope you’re having a pleasant evening.”

“Brandon and I were wondering if you might be free for dinner tomorrow night.”

“We’d love to have a proper conversation with you and Mr. Blackwood, if he’s available.”

The transformation was stunning.

12 hours ago, I’d been an embarrassment.

Now I was suddenly worth courting.

“I’ll have to check with Theodore,” I said, savoring the moment.

“We have quite a bit of catching up to do.”

As you can imagine, the silence on the other end was thick with frustration.

Finally, Vivien managed.

“Of course, please let us know what works for your schedule.”

I hung up and looked at Theo, who was grinning like a wolf.

“Well,” I said, raising my wine glass.

“This day certainly didn’t go as expected.”

“The best days never do,” he replied, clinking his glass against mine.