The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 143: Family dinner

Mark braced his hands against the sink.

"Where the fuck are you, Liv?" he murdered.

Every second she was out of his sight, his mind conjured a thousand different nightmares. He thought of that other man, the one circling her like a vulture.

The thought of loosing her was driving him crazy. Was it his ego? Was it love?

A light knock sounded at the door, but he didn’t move. He just kept staring at his own bloodshot eyes in the glass, wondering if he was already too late to win her love once more.

"So you are back." It was Clarisse.

"I thought you were out of town," Mark muttered.

"Well, Susan has other plans." She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "She thinks we should get married in another state. Secretly."

​Mark pulled her hands away.

​"That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I am getting married to Lyvana. She is mad at me now, but I will fix it."

​Clarisse watched him suspiciously. She knew he loved her, but his devoted fiancé act was starting to feel too real. It was getting on her nerves.

​"I swear, Mark," she said. "If you are falling in love with Lyvana..."

​"What are you talking about?" Mark cut her off.

​"I am saying that, you almost sound genuine, even I am starting to believe you. Have you forgotten? She can’t even have children. I’m the one carrying your heir."

"It seems to me you are jealous. Everything I do with her, is just a performance for our plan."

Clarisse didn’t look convinced. She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. "A performance? Then why are you hiding in here staring at a mirror instead of being out there making the plan happen?"

​"I told you, I will handle Lyvana. You just focus on the baby."

​"The baby is fine," she snapped. "But Susan is getting impatient, and frankly, so am I. She wants the marriage between us. Do not forget Lyvana can’t even give you a family?"

"When did this whole marriage thing with you start?"

"Ever since your father decided to push yours with Lyvana, because of the trust fund. Susan wants to protect your son."

Mark walked past her toward the bedroom door.

​"Where are you going?" Clarisse called out.

​"Out," he replied without looking back.

​Clarisse stood alone in the bathroom. She touched her stomach and narrowed her eyes.

​"It won’t be long, Mark," she whispered to the empty room. "You will be mine. And mine alone." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

....

Julian left Lyvana with Emily and drove to the Grant estate. His bodyguards followed in the car behind him.

​Inside, dinner had already started.

"You’re late," the Chairman said, not looking up from his plate.

​Julian didn’t apologize. He didn’t care what the old man thought. He pulled out a chair next to his mother and sat down slowly, taking his time.

​Across the table, Andrew and Zara sat perfectly still.

Zara scoffed and reached for her water, her anger showing. He had nearly beaten her son to death and threatened her, yet he sat there acting like they were just having a normal meal.

​Julian could care less what she thought. He didn’t show a hint of guilt or regret. He looked at Andrew’s bruised face, and smirked. He saw the fear in his eyes.

To him, they were both nothing.

While in Madrid, his father had told him the truth about who they really were.

Julian had been thorough. He had ordered a secret DNA test, and the results were clear. Andrew was not his brother.

Now he wondered what to do with that powerful information. frёeωebɳovel.com

"Julian," the Chairman said, finally looking at him. "I am happy today. Both of my sons are here with me."

Julian looked bored. He reached out and grabbed a glass of wine a maid had just poured for him, swirling the red liquid slowly.

​Just then, Henry walked into the room and handed the Chairman a phone.

​"Sorry," the Chairman said. "I have been expecting this call. I will be back in a minute."

​He stood up and walked away, leaving Julian alone with Eleanor, Andrew and Zara.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Zara dropped her fork. The metal clattered loudly against the fine china.

​"I am not going to sit here and pretend you didn’t nearly kill your brother," she spat. Her eyes were full of venom as she glared at Julian. "The least you could do is apologize to him."

​Julian didn’t flinch. He didn’t even stop swirling his wine. He looked at her with a bored expression, as if she were a fly he was waiting to swat.

"You do remember what the Chairman said, right?" Eleanor asked calmly .

​Zara shifted in her seat. She looked at Eleanor, then back at Julian. The mention of the Chairman made her jaw tighten.

​"He said this dinner was for peace," Eleanor reminded her. "He said no more fighting. If you keep pushing, Zara, you will be breaking the rules."

​Andrew finally looked up. His face was still swollen and purple from the beating. He reached out and touched Zara’s hand, silently telling her to stop.

Julian let out a short, dry chuckle. He set his wine glass down on the table.

​"Is that what you want, Zara?" Julian asked. "An apology?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation.

"In our world, woman, people don’t apologize for taking out trash. Your son stepped out of line. I put him back. He should be grateful I let him keep his tongue so he can still taste his food."

Zara’s face went pale.

​"He is your blood, Julian! He is your family!"

"Are you sure?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Andrew finally found his voice.

​"Ah, he talks," Julian said. He took a slow, mocking sip of his wine.

​Zara’s face twisted with rage. She turned her venom on Eleanor.

​"You must be so proud, Eleanor. You raised a thug. A common criminal who thinks he can solve every problem with his fists. Well let me tell you something, you failed as a mother."