Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 142: Motherhood

The air inside the VVIP dining room felt heavy now that it was just the two of them. Delphinia sat still, her hands resting in her lap, fingers loosely intertwined. She had never been alone with Lydia before, and now that she was, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

Across from her, Lydia sat with a composed expression, her long, manicured fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. She wasn’t drinking, just idly playing with it, her thoughts seemingly far away.

For a moment, it seemed as if neither of them would speak. Then, Lydia finally broke the silence, her voice soft but carrying an unmistakable weight. "I didn’t expect Evander to marry."

Delphinia blinked at the statement. It wasn’t a question, nor did it seem like a simple observation. There was something else laced within those words—perhaps regret? Curiosity? She couldn’t quite tell.

Lydia let out a breath and tilted her head slightly, her eyes scrutinizing Delphinia as if trying to read her. "Evander was never the type to settle down," she continued. "At least, not back when I knew him."

Delphinia felt a twinge at those words. Back when I knew him. A quiet reminder that Lydia and Evander had a history, one that Delphinia was not a part of. She straightened her posture slightly but kept her expression neutral. "People change," she said simply. "Maybe he just needed the right person."

Lydia gave a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Maybe," she murmured. There was a brief pause before she added, "Or maybe he was forced to."

Delphinia’s fingers twitched in her lap. She refused to acknowledge whatever point Lydia was trying to make. Instead, she chose to stay quiet, letting the silence settle between them once more.

Lydia finally leaned back in her seat, exhaling softly before shifting the topic. "Thank you," she said suddenly.

Delphinia blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"

Lydia looked at her, her gaze steady. "For taking care of Ashton. For giving him the mother’s love he never had."

Delphinia parted her lips slightly, unsure how to respond to that. There was no malice in Lydia’s voice, no sarcasm. Just quiet sincerity. Swallowing, she forced herself to answer, "It’s the least I can do as his stepmother."

Lydia’s lips curled into a small, almost sad smile. "Step-mother," she echoed. "Yes. I suppose that’s what you are." She glanced down at her hands before continuing, "I can see it, you know. How much Ashton likes you." She hesitated for a moment before correcting herself. "No, how much he loves you."

Delphinia stiffened slightly. She hadn’t expected Lydia to say something like that. Her throat felt dry, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

Lydia gave a quiet chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I can’t help but feel jealous."

Delphinia’s breath hitched slightly. "Jealous?" she repeated, her voice softer now.

Lydia nodded. "Yes. It’s ironic, isn’t it? I’m his mother, and yet, he clings to you like you’re the only maternal figure he’s ever known." She looked down at the table, tapping her nails lightly against the surface. "But I suppose I only have myself to blame."

Delphinia stayed silent. She wasn’t about to comfort Lydia, nor was she going to deny the truth in her words. Lydia had left Ashton, and no matter the reasons, there were consequences to that choice.

"I want to fix things with him," Lydia said suddenly, her voice quiet but firm. "I really do. I know I can’t erase the past, but I want to try."

Delphinia nodded slowly. "Then do it."

Lydia looked up at her.

"Don’t waste your time arguing with Evander about what’s right or wrong or worrying about how I fit into the picture," Delphinia continued. "If you truly want to mend your relationship with Ashton, then focus on that."

Lydia studied her for a long moment before a small smile formed on her lips. "You’re surprisingly wise." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Delphinia exhaled lightly. "Not really. I just understand what’s important."

Lydia nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. Then, as if something crossed her mind, she leaned forward slightly. "You’re a good person, Delphinia," she admitted. "And Ashton is lucky to have you."

Delphinia felt a strange warmth at those words, but before she could respond, Lydia’s smile faded slightly, her next words sending a cold shiver down her spine.

"But you do realize, don’t you?" Lydia’s voice dropped slightly. "No matter how much Ashton loves you, no matter how much you do for him... you can never replace me as his mother."

Delphinia’s breath caught in her throat. The air suddenly felt heavier, the weight of those words settling on her shoulders like an invisible burden. She knew Lydia wasn’t wrong. No matter what she did, no matter how much Ashton came to rely on her, Lydia would always be his mother.

She knew Lydia’s words were a fact. And yet, the way they were spoken, the way they lingered in the air, made them feel like something else. A warning. A mockery. Or maybe... maybe she was just being too sensitive.

Still, the tightness in her chest didn’t ease.

She wasn’t trying to replace Lydia. She never had. But the implication in Lydia’s tone made it sound as if her presence in Ashton’s life was something temporary, something fragile—something that could be dismissed at any moment.

Lydia didn’t wait for a response. She simply stood, smoothing out the fabric of her dress before turning towards the door. "It was nice talking to you," she said, her voice light again, as if she hadn’t just left Delphinia with something so unsettling. Then, without another word, she walked out, leaving Delphinia sitting there, her heart pounding in her chest.

She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself. She wasn’t sure why Lydia’s words affected her so much. She had never wanted to replace Lydia—had never even considered it. And yet, hearing those words spoken out loud, in that soft yet pointed tone, made her stomach twist in an uncomfortable way.

After a moment, she pushed herself up from her seat, taking one last glance around the empty room before making her way toward the exit. Evander and Ashton were waiting for her.

And right now, she needed their presence more than ever.