Married To My Ex-Husband’s Rival by Jobet GraySon

Chapter Seventy Eight

Third Person POV.

Amber’s heart pounded in her chest as she took small, cautious bites of the food in front of her. Each morsel felt heavier with each passing moment, her anxiety mounting. She glanced at the variety of dishes spread out on the table, amazed at the effort Sofia had put into preparing this meal. But she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by it all.

Sofia observed Amber’s hesitance. “Is something wrong, dear? Is the food not to your liking?” she

asked.

Amber quickly shook her head. “No, everything is delicious, Nonna. Thank you so much for preparing

all this.”

Sofia’s frown deepened. She knew the polite smile was hiding Amber’s unease. She had seen it many times before, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Amber wasn’t a fan of Italian food.

Leaning closer to Amber, Richard’s voice was filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

He had known for a while now that Amber wasn’t a big eater and that she struggled with food, but he had given her space to address it as she saw fit. He had feared mentioning it might add to her discomfort, and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable or break their rule to not pry without her

permission.

Amber forced a smile and nodded. “I’m fine, Richard. I was just a bit overwhelmed with all the food.

But really, it’s all very delicious.

Sofia’s gaze shifted between Amber and Richard, sensing the underlying tension. She cleared her throat

breaking the quietness at the table. “Amber, my dear, there’s no need for you to force yourself. If

else. You also don’t need to feel obliged to

the food doesn’t suit your palate, we can make

eat everything. Just take what you can.”

Amber’s face flushed with embarrassment. “No, really, Nonna, I appreciate the effort, and I assure

you, the food is wonderful. It really is. I’m just not a big eater”

around her, Amber’s anxiety grew. She didn’t want to be the center

make Sofia feel bad. She knew her relationship with food was complicated and a

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Oucter Seventy Eight

to take a spoonful of the risotto and swallow it, hoping to aleviate

now was not the time to pry, she shifted the conversation. “Amber, my dear, I’m glad you’re enjoying your food. So tell me. Pietro, how long do you two plan on staying for your honeymoon? I do hope you intend on staying for a long time

knew his grandmother’s tendencies to criticize and nitpick his decisions, so he swifty thought of a response that would stop her from finding anything

Nonna, Richard replied. “But we also have plans to

“Other countries?

haven’t decided on all the destinations yet,

1. go.

response, and fortunately for Richard, she

their

to you both, but just out of curiosity, do you two plan on having children?” Sofia asked suddenly, and because of how shocked she was to hear such a

choked on her food.

herself, Sofia stared back and forth at them wondering

I mean, I’m only acking a newly married couple if they intend

told you before that children are a big no for me, Nonna.

and Amber turned to him with

even though the knew that their relationship wasn’t real

20

2 Mar

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Chapter Seventy Eight

want to counter him just for the

being serious, babe? You don’t want kids?” she asked,

you two didn’t discuss such an important subject before getting married? What are you both, idiots?”

time ago.

“Do you want kids?” he asked Amber, trying to play along with her so his

too weird.

idea to have little Richard and little Amber running around the house. If we have a daughter and she comes out looking

total shock. Amber, wearing an amused grin, now passed a glass of water to him, telling him to take it easy and not cough his lungs out just because

with a disapproving look on her face, shaking

and granddaughter–in–law