Guinevere was still unmarried, and the two families had only just come to an understanding. To have this sudden disruption occur was bewildering.
The thought of emotional instability seemed absurd to the Cohen family. Guinevere had always been the epitome of grace and charm, and many distinguished men had courted her. She was more than worthy of Weston. How could she suddenly face such emotional challenges before their marriage?
Mr. Cohen’s thoughts were grounded in practicality, and his concern shifted quickly to the implications of the union. He looked at Chris with a measured expression. “Mr. Ford, if there’s anything in our business partnership that needs addressing, we’re open to discussion. After all, we’ll be family soon. Please feel free to bring up any concerns.”
He continued, his tone slightly more stern, “Gwen is an actress, and we’ve always been reluctant about her career in the entertainment industry. But she’s not involved in the family’s business. Soon, she’ll marry Weston and become part of your family. If there’s a problem, bring it to us directly. Don’t let her bear the burden of anything that concerns your family’s interests.”
Mr. Cohen’s words were blunt but clear.
Chris’s expression shifted as he listened. He responded, “Mr. Cohen, surely you’re not suggesting that our business dealings would interfere with their relationship?”
While the Cohen family had come to discuss their concerns, both families knew that the real issue was the tension between Guinevere and Weston. Mr. Cohen, however, was testing the waters.
Pleased with Chris’s reply, Mr. Cohen nodded in relief. “I’m glad to hear that. Our families have known each other for years, and we trust you. But Gwen’s situation…”
Chris interjected, “Don’t worry. We’ll take full responsibility. Whether they marry or not, we will always treat her like our own. She’ll forever be Zack’s mother, and nothing will change that.”
This was exactly what Mr. Cohen wanted to hear. He nodded with satisfaction. “I trust you won’t forget your words today.”
Chris assured him, “Of course not.”
With that, the two men reached a mutual understanding. Wendy, seeing an opportunity, turned to Mrs. Cohen and spoke with sincere kindness, “I apologize for causing you concern. Gwen is like a daughter to me, and regardless of the circumstances, nothing will change.”
Her promise seemed to settle the matter for both Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. They were not here to escalate the situation, only to offer their support to Guinevere. As they’d achieved their goal, they decided to leave the matter there. “We hope this won’t happen again. We know our daughter better than anyone…” Mrs. Cohen’s tone softened as she added, “Postpartum depression is something to take seriously. Please keep an eye on her.”
Wendy responded reassuringly, “We will do everything we can to support her and ensure she gets the care she needs. Don’t worry about that.”
Mrs. Cohen appeared relieved. The tension that had been building began to dissipate, and the discussion came to an end. Surprisingly, throughout this exchange, no one had asked Weston for his opinion. He had been seen more as a figure to help clean up the situation than as an active participant in the resolution. Chris, in particular, had treated Weston with a detached authority, as though Weston were only needed when things got difficult.
As the situation seemed to calm, Weston remained aloof, watching the exchange with a cool, unreadable gaze. His eyes would occasionally flicker towards Guinevere, but he remained silent, his emotions veiled.
Guinevere, now quieter, sat next to Mrs. Cohen, occasionally casting a glance at Weston. Mrs. Cohen noticed this and, with a knowing smile, spoke pointedly, “If you want to sit with Weston, you’re welcome to move closer.”
Mrs. Cohen’s words were deliberate, encouraging them to consider their future together, nudging them toward the marriage she hoped for.
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