Page 33 of My Defiant Mate
"Hi, Mom," he says, his voice surprisingly steady. "Classes are good. Um, actually, I'm calling because I have some news."
"News?" There's a rustling sound, then his mother's voice calls out, "Ton! Toby's on the phone. He has news."
A deeper voice joins in. "What kind of news? Good news?"
Toby's hand tightens around mine. "Yes, Dad. Good news. At least, I think it's good news. I hope you'll think so too."
"Well, don't keep us in suspense," his mother says, a smile in her voice.
Toby takes a deep breath. "I met someone. Someone... important."
There's a beat of silence. Then his mother's voice, cautious but warm: "A special someone?"
"Yes," Toby says. "Very special. His name is Jionni. He's... he's my mate."
Another silence, longer this time. I feel Toby's whole body tense beside me, preparing for the blow.
Then his father's voice, gruff but not unkind: "Your mate? You're sure?"
"Yes," Toby says, his voice growing stronger. "I'm sure. We both are."
"Oh, Toby," his mother breathes, and I can hear the tears in her voice. "That's wonderful! When can we meet him?"
Toby practically melts next to me, like someone cut all his strings at once. His shoulders drop, his spine curves, and his face—God, his face. The tight lines of worry melt away, replaced by a relief so profound it brings tears to his eyes.
"You're... you're not upset?" he asks, his voice thick.
"Upset?" his mother sounds genuinely confused. "Why would we be upset?"
"Because it's so sudden," Toby says. "Because it complicates things. Because I had to transfer buildings and—"
"Toby," his father interrupts, gentle but firm. "We've never wanted you to be perfect. We've only ever wanted you to be happy."
A tear slips down Toby's cheek. I reach up, brushing it away with my thumb.
"And this Jionni," his mother continues, "he makes you happy?"
Toby looks at me, his dark eyes shining with emotion. "Yes," he says simply. "He does."
"Then that's all that matters," his father says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Tell us about him," his mother urges. "What's he studying? What's he like?"
Toby laughs, a wet, relieved sound. "He's a music major. He plays guitar. He's... he's right here, actually."
"He is?" His mother's voice rises with excitement. "Put him on!"
Toby holds the phone out to me, a silent question in his eyes. I nod, taking it from him.
"Hello, Mrs. Song-Gi," I say, aiming for polite but probably landing somewhere closer to awkward. "It's nice to meet you. Sort of."
"Oh, call me Hana, please," she says warmly. "And you must call my husband Ton. We're family now."
Family. A word I only knew as a weapon. And they were just... handing it to me, no strings attached. It left me speechless, my throat tight with something I couldn't name.
"Thank you," I manage, my voice rougher than I intended. "That means a lot."
"So, Jionni," Ton's voice takes over, "what are your intentions with our son?"
