Gian knew her next words would be the main point. He maintained his gentle smile and listened patiently.
“But I still don’t think you two are a good match.”
Her mother continued, “You’ve been good friends for years, and you know each other’s personalities and tempers too well. That’s fine for friends, but it doesn’t necessarily work for a marriage.”
Kirsten was about to argue but was silenced by a single look from her mother.
“I’m a bit tired today. I think I’ll go rest in my room.”
Her mother set down her coffee cup and stood up, her tone laced with a hint of dismissal. “You two chat. I won’t be staying to entertain.”
The meaning couldn’t have been clearer: she was indirectly telling Gian to leave.
Kirsten’s expression instantly turned cold. She watched her mother’s retreating back, her heart filled with anger.
Gian, however, remained composed. He gently patted Kirsten’s hand, signaling her not to be impulsive.
“It’s alright. Your mother should rest if she’s tired.”
He stood up and gave a slight nod to Kirsten’s dad. “Sir, we won’t disturb you any further. We’ll come visit you and Auntie another day.”
Kirsten’s dad looked apologetic. “Gian, I’m so sorry. My wife, she…”
After all, the Atwood family was also a prominent and powerful family.
He had to maintain a level of decorum.
“You don’t have to explain, sir. I understand.”
Gian smiled, his tone still gentle. “Matters of the heart do take time to develop. I’ll give her the time she needs.”
With that, he and Kirsten turned and left the Delaney family home.
Once they were outside the villa gates, Kirsten could no longer contain herself, her expression growing colder. “What is my mother’s problem? Is the Atwood family not good enough for her? We’re willing to go through with this marriage alliance, and she’s still not happy?”
Once they were in the car, Kirsten’s anger hadn’t subsided. She turned to Gian, her tone apologetic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to go like that. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way.”
She had thought it would be a simple meeting, just going through the motions, but she hadn’t expected her mother to be so blatantly disrespectful.
“It’s fine.”
Gian started the car, his voice gentle. “This will take time. We just need to be patient.”
“Your mother just can’t accept it right now. Once she gets to know the situation, she’ll understand.”
Kirsten was stunned. She turned to look at Gian, hardly believing her ears. “I thought you’d give up.”
After all, being so bluntly rejected by a future mother-in-law was a blow to anyone’s pride.
Most people would have been discouraged and ready to back out.
“Why would I give up?”

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