Chapter 4

Julian Thorne played with Leo for a while, then suddenly seemed to notice my presence, feigning surprise.

"Marcus is here too? Why are you standing there for so long? Come on in and sit down!"

Eleanor's smile faded. She cast a sidelong glance at me, her tone flat.

"Always so timid and awkward, he just can't measure up!"

In her mind, I was always a step below Julian Thorne.

Leo finally remembered I was there and immediately started complaining to Julian Thorne.

"He got your new clothes dirty! Look! And he's making me apologize to those people!"

Julian Thorne, ever the big shot, pulled a wad of hundred-dollar bills from his pocket.

"Just a shirt, it's fine if it's dirty. Your mom and I will take you to the mall to buy new ones later."

He tucked the cash into Leo's pocket, then turned to me, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Marcus, you're his father. Why aren't you sticking up for your own son? Why are you making him apologize to strangers?"

I watched him put on this phony act, wanting to laugh. For the past few years, he'd been a master of manipulation, subtly and overtly belittling me in front of Eleanor and Leo, regardless of right or wrong.

And those two, mother and son, fell for it every time!

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Eleanor frowned and looked at me, annoyed.

"It's just a few damaged cars, how much could it cost? Leo is so young, and you're making him take responsibility! How did I end up marrying someone so incompetent and useless!"

I almost burst out laughing. Shouldn't he take responsibility for the cars *he* damaged?

I was just asking Leo to apologize to the car owners, and already, mother and son were treating me like an enemy.

Julian Thorne sighed dramatically, putting on a magnanimous facade as he tried to console Eleanor.

"It's alright, I'll take care of it. It's just a bit of money, I won't let you or the child suffer."

At his words, Eleanor's gaze softened, fixed on him.

I stood to the side, watching their little display of affection, my stomach churning.

"You'll handle it?"

I said blandly.

"Don't speak too soon, I'm afraid you might not be able to cover it!"

At this, Julian Thorne didn't say anything, but Eleanor immediately flared up.

She slammed her hand on the table, glaring at me.

"Marcus Stone, do you think Julian is like you? Pinching pennies over a few thousand dollars? I'm telling you, this little thing will barely take him a few minutes to resolve!"

"Yeah, that's right!"

Leo chimed in, eager to stir up trouble.

"Uncle Julian is super cool, not like you! I want Uncle Julian to be my dad, not you!"

My face darkened at his words. I looked at Leo, my voice dangerously low.

"Say that again."

Eleanor couldn't help but frown. She quietly called Leo by his full name, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to scold him. Instead, she turned to me.

"Why are you yelling at the child? If you weren't so useless, he wouldn't say such things!"

Watching her fiercely defend him, the last string holding me together finally snapped.

She no longer had any feelings for me, so why should I cling to her?

Julian Thorne shot me a triumphant look, then pretended to gently console Eleanor.

"Oh, Eleanor, don't say that. If you think Marcus's position is too low, he can come work for me. I just happen to need an assistant."

Eleanor frowned, sighing.

"If only he were half as thoughtful as you. On a holiday, having dinner with your family, and he has to come deal with something like this!"