Chapter 135
Sarah’s POV
I needed to provoke her, after what she said… a little bit of it won’t hurt now, will it?
Her eyebrows lifted immediately, like she couldn’t believe I had asked that question.
“You don’t know who I am p>
I shook my head.
“No p>
She stepped closer, her heels echoing softly on the floor.
“I’m Victoria Specter,” she said firmly. “Marcus’s mother p>
I widened my eyes slightly, pretending to be surprised.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were coming today p>
“Of course you didn’t,” she replied coldly.
She glanced around the house slowly before her gaze landed back on me.
“I don’t like you p>
The bluntness of her words didn’t even surprise me.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said quietly.
She shook her head.
“This isn’t a feeling. It’s a fact p>
Her eyes studied me again with open judgment.
“You think you’re clever,” she continued. “Getting a job here, living in this house, and getting close to my son… I don’t know what you have on him to make him marry, but I’ll get to the bottom of it p>
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but your son and I love each other and p>
She cut me off with a hiss, “Don’t give that crap p>
“You really are… disappointing,” she said, her voice cool and sharp.
I straightened slightly, forcing myself to remain calm.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I replied politely.
“Oh, please,” she snapped immediately. “Don’t pretend to be polite with me p>
“I’m not pretending p>
Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she was trying to decide whether I was brave or just stupid.
For a moment, she said nothing before she sighed impatiently.
“Fine,” she said. “Let’s stop wasting time p>
I frowned slightly. “What do you mean p>
She stepped a little closer to me, lowering her voice as if we were discussing something private.
“Name your price p>
The words caught me completely off guard.
“My… price?” I repeated.
“Yes,” she said, clearly annoyed that I wasn’t understanding immediately. “The amount of money you want p>
I stared at her.
“I don’t think I understand p>
She let out a short, humorless laugh.
“Don’t insult my intelligence, Sarah p>
“I’m not p>
“You’re here for my son’s money,” she said bluntly. “So let’s make this simple p>
I shook my head slowly.
“I already told you that I love p>
“Every woman has a number,” she continued calmly. “Some are just better at hiding it p>
“I don’t have a number p>
“Yes, you do p>
“No p>
She crossed her arms and leaned slightly closer.
“Listen carefully,” she said firmly. “You tell me how much you want, I’ll write the check, and you walk out of Marcus’s life p>
The way she said it was so casual, like she was offering to buy a piece of furniture she didn’t like anymore.
“You want me to leave Marcus,” I said slowly.
“Yes, that would be ideal p>
I looked at her for a moment.
Then I shook my head.
“No… of course not p>
Her expression hardened. “You’re either very bold… or very stupid p>
“Neither,” I said.
“You honestly think Marcus cares about you p>
“Yes p>
Her eyes narrowed.
“That’s impossible p>
“Why p>
“Because my son doesn’t fall in love with women like you p>
“Well,” I said softly, “you might have to reconsider that p>
She looked at me like she was trying to see through me, and suddenly a familiar voice spoke from behind us.
“Mum p>
Both of us turned at the same time.
Marcus had just walked into the house.
He stood near the entrance, still in his dark suit from work, loosening his tie slightly as he looked between us.
Victoria straightened immediately.
Marcus walked further inside, his expression still slightly puzzled.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said. “You didn’t say you were coming p>
“I decided to visit,” she replied coolly.
Marcus stopped beside me.
For a brief moment, his eyes met mine something unreadable passed between us.
The last time I saw him was three days back, after our arguments, after he insulted and made me feel stupid.
His arm slipping around my waist snaps me out of my train of thought. The movement was smooth and confident, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Before I could react, he gently pulled me a little closer to him.
I felt my breath catch slightly.
Then he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.
The gesture was warm.
Intimate.
Almost… real.
“You should have called,” Marcus said calmly to his mother.
Victoria’s eyes moved slowly from his arm around my waist to my face.
Her expression was full of disbelief.
“I didn’t realize I needed permission to visit my own son p>
“You don’t,” Marcus replied. “But I would have made arrangements p>
His hand remained resting on my waist, steady and protective.
Victoria was clearly noticing.
Marcus glanced down at me briefly.
“Everything okay?” he asked quietly.
His voice was calm, but his eyes were searching mine.
“Yes,” I said softly.
Victoria didn’t look convinced at all.
The tension between the three of us was heavy.
After a moment, I gently stepped away from Marcus’s arm.
“I’ll let you two talk,” I said politely.
Marcus looked at me for a second, but he didn’t stop me.
“I’ll excuse myself p>
Victoria’s eyes followed me as I turned away.
I could feel the weight of her gaze on my back as I walked down the hallway.