But Everett’s mother held her hand up to me before shooting her husband a stern glance.
“Kane?” she asked.
“Andrea, I can’t even begin to express to you how sorry I am for the way I acted,” he said solemnly.
My eyes flickered over to Everett as he gripped my hand tightly.
“What I said to you in your own home? It wasn’t right. Not by a long shot. You obviously make Everett very happy, and from the little bit he’s told me about you, it seems as if you’re an incredibly strong and hardworking young woman.”
“I appreciate that,” I said.
“I should have never called you a gold-digger. I can’t stand the fact that I considered it for even a second. I should know Everett better than that, and I should have taken the time to get to know you better than that. I know nothing about you except for what Everett used in our argument to defend you, and that's not fair to anyone. Especially you.”
“Mr. Wilder, I really appreciate your apology,” I said.
“Will you accept it?”
My eyes darted over to Ruby and she shrugged her shoulders.
“I’d make him grovel a little more, but that’s up to you,” she said.
All of us shared a little laugh before my eyes fell back onto Everett’s father.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” he said.
“When you stormed into my apartment, what was your purpose?” I asked.
Kane furrowed his brow before he cocked his head to the side.
“I’m not sure I understand,” he said.
“When you came to my apartment and barged into my home after Everett opened the door, what was running through your mind?” I asked.
“That’s actually a very good question,” Ruby said as she turned toward him.
“Was your intent to completely decimate a young woman in the only place she feels safe?” I asked.
Everett gripped my hand tighter than anyone ever had before and I watched heavy guilt wash over Kane’s face.
“No,” he said.
“Was it to make a fool out of me?” I asked.
“No.”
“Was it to make me cry, Mr. Wilder?”
I watched Ruby chew on the inside of her cheek as she shook her head at her husband.
“No, Miss Andrea. It wasn’t. But I’m so sorry I did that to you. I’m so sorry I—”
“Was it to protect your son?” I asked.
I looked over at Everett and locked my eyes with him.
“Was it to protect your family?” I asked.