“Bullshit.”
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“Listen here, Xan, as your mother, I demand respect.”
“Bullshit,” a stronger male voice says from behind me.
Dad.
That was faster than I thought. He probably was in Silver’s father’s house nearby.
He places his briefcase on the table and strides inside to stand beside me. “You heard him.”
“Lewis.” She smiles. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I told you not to ever come here.”
“Wait.” I stare between them. “You meet? Are you like tea parties’ mates? I thought she was in fucking Brazil or something.”
“Can you leave us alone?” Samantha’s hand trembles around the bottle’s lid.
“Fuck no,” I say.
“Just go.” Lewis motions behind him.
“I can’t believe this.” I stare at her. “You’re here for him, not me?”
She taps the lid of the bottle, keeps her posture, but says nothing.
I scoff as I exit the room, but not the scene. I hide behind the corner and do something I used to when I was a kid – eavesdrop on my parents’ fights, hoping they’d end soon.
When they didn’t, I went to Kim because she was the only one who weaned down the chaos. She still is.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Samantha?” Lewis yanks on his tie.
“You’re not answering my calls.”
“That’s because I don’t want to. Take a hint.”
“You don’t get to ignore me, Lewis.”
“Watch me.” He stands by the table, towering over her. “I told you last year that would be the last fucking time you’re getting money from me.”
“Mike’s business went bankrupt again. We need help.”
“You won’t be getting it from me. Last I checked, I’m not your husband’s sponsor.”
Wait a fucking second. She remarried and Lewis has been giving her money all this time?
What in the actual fuck?
“You better well be.” She stands up, clutching the bottle in a death grip. “Otherwise, the press will know about your illegitimate daughter. How do you think your campaign will go, huh? The mighty politician Lewis Knight has an illegitimate daughter and is raising another bastard child as his own. I can see it as the headlines. And remember, I have the DNA tests to prove it.”
“You thought I was giving you the money because I’m scared of you? What a mess have you become to think that way? I only funded your loser husband’s companies because you’re the woman who gave birth to my son and I don’t want to see you hit rock bottom, but if you threaten my children in any way, I’ll bury you and Michael so deep, no one will be able to find you.”
“We’ll see who’ll be able to bury the other one first.” Her face reddens. “Either I find the money in my bank account or you can kiss your peaceful children’s lives goodbye.”