Marked by Desire: Stealing My Mother's Man

Black

te L

, I hate m

boarding a plane to New York, returning to the very place I had once escaped. Back to a house that never felt like home. Back to a mother who was

Montg

one of the most influential men in this cursed city-his ruthlessness in the busi

uldn't be pleased to have me in his home, not even as his future wif

t didn'

. I had to go, if only to help my mother prepare for her birthda

rehensive. I had missed New York-the c

ears there since passing my entrance exam with distinction. That achiev

ifty-to a man in his forties whose face, line

ing in her happiness. But at the time, I had been too preoccupied with my studies. My travel documents and arrangements had already been finalized, and my schedule was

uld be attending my mot

g expenses, tuition, and everything else. But I had never dared to ask wheth

y was the day. My mother was born on August 26th, and I loved New Yor

known man-my mother's fiancé, the stranger I kne

y adjusted the clothes inside my suitcase. I hadn't r

en return to where it all began, even if only for a short whi

ly missed my flight to New York. My eyes flew open in shock when I realized the time-it was alread

not on

f I was ready. I reassured her warmly bef

hen I was bound to be late. It would be embarrassing to ke

enty minutes. I disembarked, exhaust

yself througho

nder that summers in New York could be suffocating. Raising a hand, I hailed a cab,

ack suit. I couldn't make out his featu

hile I focused on readi

back,

before offering him a small smile and

you a

ignoring me is

g for you. Do

to me, as if I were one of h

se, he did. Vlad Montgomery's mansion. The place that was supposed to be my home but had never been anything

r finally stopped in front of the massive iron gates,

ion. Majestic.

home. Just sheer luxury

would one expect from the own

ere random and unsteady. The darkness was so deep t

nvisible weight pressing against my chest. The mo

u've decided

ned s

ack dress. Her blonde hair was styled to perfection, and her sharp gaze swept

calm, devoid of warmt

d steps, her smile just as manufactur

the

I could avoid it, she press

e better manners after

othing I did would ev

sound of confident footste

d-and s

Montg

red and effortlessly refined in a dark suit tailored to perf

. Undeni

merely stood there, gazing at me as

ging his icy demeanor. I already knew he didn'

ntroduced me in a smooth, polite tone, as if pre

of silence. Then, finally, he s

kno

wo

pleasantries. No

fleeting moment, the air

perceptible smirk, I said, "P

lightly, as if my w

're

parked within me. Did he

unmistakable. Then, in a cooler tone, I add

Then, without another word

lavish living room. She didn't seem to notice how my gaze l

riate about our exchange.

ye

e looked at me made somet