Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 162: Unshaken Bonds

The drive to Cedric’s home was quiet, yet thick with unspoken thoughts. Lydia sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed on the blurred city lights outside the window. The evening was settling in, casting a soft glow over the streets, but she barely noticed. Her mind was elsewhere—still at the photoshoot studio, still seeing Ashton clinging to Delphinia.

Cedric, who had been driving in silence, stole a glance at Lydia. He could see the tension in her shoulders, the slight crease in her forehead. He knew that expression all too well. It was the look of someone who felt like they were losing something they desperately wanted to hold onto.

As they pulled into his driveway, Cedric shut off the engine and turned to Lydia.

"You’re thinking about Ashton," he stated plainly.

Lydia let out a small, bitter chuckle, her fingers tightening around her arms. "How can I not?" she muttered. "Did you see him? He barely looked at me. Every time I tried to get close, he clung to Delphinia instead."

Cedric sighed, rubbing his temple before unbuckling his seatbelt. "Come inside."

She hesitated for a moment but followed him in. Cedric’s home was modern yet inviting, with a spacious living room that smelled faintly of cedarwood and leather. He gestured for her to sit, and she sank onto the plush couch.

Cedric sat across from her, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "Lydia, you knew this wouldn’t be easy," he said, watching her carefully.

Lydia exhaled sharply and leaned back, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment. "I was right," she murmured. "Ashton has already chosen Delphinia over me."

Cedric frowned slightly, his tone gentle but firm. "That’s not how this works. Ashton isn’t choosing one over the other, Lydia. He’s just—comfortable with Delphinia right now. She’s been a constant in his life for a while. You can’t expect him to suddenly switch gears overnight."

Lydia scoffed, shaking her head. "You didn’t see the way he looked at her. The way he avoided me. It’s like I’m a stranger to my own son."

Cedric studied her for a long moment before speaking. "Lydia, listen to me." He leaned forward, his voice steady. "Ashton has spent years without you in his life. It’s going to take time for him to let you in. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want you there."

She pursed her lips, her hands clasping together tightly. "Then why does it feel like I’m being pushed aside?"

Cedric sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because you’re impatient. You’re expecting him to act like the son you imagined, but he’s still figuring this out. And so are you."

Lydia glanced away, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "I just... I just don’t want to lose him," she admitted in a small voice.

"You won’t," Cedric assured her. "No one can replace you, Lydia. You’re his mother. That’s a bond no one—not Delphinia, not anyone—can take away from you."

Lydia met his gaze then, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Do you really believe that?"

Cedric nodded without hesitation. "I do. But you need to stop seeing Delphinia as a threat. She’s not trying to take your place. She’s just... someone Ashton trusts."

Cedric exhaled slowly, watching Lydia’s expression carefully. He could still remember the first time she had voiced her concerns about Ashton and Delphinia—how close they had become, how natural their bond seemed.

"They look like a real mother and son," she had said, her voice laced with something fragile, something almost defeated.

At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it. He had seen it too, of course—Ashton sticking close to Delphinia, the way he sought her out first when he was uncertain, how easily he let her comfort him. But seeing it today, Cedric realized it had only grown stronger.

Ashton was so attached to her.

It wasn’t surprising. The boy had been without a true mother figure for so long. Lydia had been gone from his life for years, and even now that she was back, things weren’t suddenly falling into place. They couldn’t.

Cedric knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Lydia was trying, but Ashton was hesitant. Maybe he didn’t know how to let her in yet. Maybe he wasn’t ready. And in the absence of that familiarity, Delphinia had unknowingly filled the space. She had been there, consistent and steady, and Ashton—lucky for her—had accepted it.

Was that really so strange?

Maybe Lydia saw it as Delphinia replacing her, but Cedric didn’t. He saw a boy who had been missing something for a long time, now holding onto the first thing that made him feel safe.

It didn’t mean Lydia was being pushed out. It just meant she had more ground to cover.

Still, he needed to comfort her, to make sure she didn’t let her doubts get in the way.

"Lydia," Cedric said, keeping his voice gentle but firm, "Ashton isn’t choosing one over the other. He’s just... figuring things out in his own way."

Lydia looked down, pressing her lips together. "Then why does it feel like I’m losing him?"

"You’re not," Cedric assured her again. "You just came back into his life. That’s not something either of you can rush."

She let out a slow breath, nodding slightly but not looking fully convinced.

Cedric softened. "Just be patient. He’ll come to you in his own time."

Lydia let out a slow breath, her fingers relaxing slightly. "I guess I just thought things would be different by now."

Cedric smiled faintly. "They will be. In time." He reached over, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You just have to be patient."

Lydia nodded slowly, absorbing his words. For the first time that night, she felt a small weight lift from her chest. Maybe Cedric was right. Maybe she wasn’t losing Ashton—she just needed to find her way back to him.

And for now, that was enough.

"I hope you’re right."

"I am."