Four | Mother Dear

MARCUS.

I sparked my cigarette with a quick flick of my lighter and took a long, slow drag, feeling the nicotine rush through my veins.

As I exhaled, the smoke curled out in streams, and Sebastian emerged from the kitchen backdoor, his partner in crime tagging along.

"Hello, Mother."

I downed the last of my drink, a whiskey on the rocks, and addressed my mom with a hint of sarcasm.

I took one final drag, savoring the taste, and snuffed out the cigarette in the empty glass.

Mother opened her arms wide for a hug, and I let her squeeze me for a few seconds before pulling away.

"Where've you been?" she asked, gripping my shoulder like she actually cared. But I knew better - she wasn't concerned about my three-year absence or where I'd been; she was just trying to convince herself she loved both her sons equally.

She didn't.

Sebastian was always her favorite, and my return wasn't about to change that. My death would've just eased her guilt, nothing more.

"I've been chasing my dreams, mother," I replied with a smirk, and Sebastian snorted, muttering something under his breath.

"What was that?" I warned, my eyes narrowing.

And he replied: "Oh, you think you're tough now, little bro, with your mafia buddies and your new dumbbell toys?" he sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.

I shook my head, brushing off the hostility radiating from my brother, and spoke up.

"Hey, Mother?" I said, "Can we take this conversation somewhere more private?" I suggested. But Sebastian chimed in, "Whatever you've got to say, say it here."

"Do we have a problem, Sebastian?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

I took a slow step closer to him, our eyes locked in a fierce stare-down. One of the guards in the room shifted uncomfortably, then headed my way. I was curious what he'd do, so I closed the gap between Sebastian and me until we were almost nose-to-nose, our intimidating glares locked. The guard finally marched over, hesitated for a moment, and "politely" asked me to back off.

"Do you think it's fair that you always play the victim?" I asked, my voice low and even. "And what's with the hate in your eyes? I'm the one who should be looking at you like that - at both of you like that, actually."

I lit a cigarette and took a long drag, blowing out the smoke slowly.

Mother shook her head. "All I've ever done is love you, Marcus - the same love I give Sebastian - but you've always been too stubborn to see it. But it's not too late to change that."

I eyed them both. "I'm here to claim my shares in the company."

My mother's face went pale, while Sebastian frowned. "You're crazy, Marcus," he said, shaking his head.

"And why's that?" I asked, amused, raising an eyebrow.

"You forfeited those shares the moment you walked out on this family," Sebastian said, his voice firm.

I chuckled, tapping the ash off my cigarette, and replied, "Come on, we both know the truth. I lost those shares five years ago when I was in jail and mother arranged for me to sign some 'important' papers to help with my release. Papers that just so happened to include my consent to sell my shares to you, Sebastian...right, mother?" I raised an eyebrow, eyeing my mother, who stood stiff as a statue, while Sebastian acted like he was hearing this for the first time - or was he?

"Oh, she didn't fill you in on this one, huh? Wonder why?"

Sebastian shot back, "You're lying, Marcus."

I puffed on my cigarette, blowing out smoke rings, and reached for my suit pocket. The guards in the room tensed up, but I reassured them, "Relax, guys. If I wanted to kill anyone here, I would've done it the minute I walked in, and it wouldn't have taken more than five minutes to do so."

I pulled out my phone and continued, "Remember Mrs. Wilson, mother?" I showed her the phone, displaying a picture of Mrs. Wilson's kids, Correy and Iris. My mother's face turned paler by the second, while Sebastian's confusion deepened.

"I'm sure Mrs. Wilson's name rings a few bells. The woman you paid really well to slip Elissa a daily dose of Ketamine, is it? You know, the one that made Elissa act crazy and erratic, just so everyone would think your precious son was the innocent victim? That was how far you'd go to protect him, mother. That. Far."

Sebastian's face went pale and numb.

"Give me the phone, mother. I have something else to show you."

After a few seconds of silence, I dropped a bombshell that could make her faint. "Mrs. Wilson's kids aren't with her; they're with me. To be exact, I've kidnapped them." I blew smoke in the guard's face, impressed that he didn't flinch.

Sebastian snorted, "You wouldn't dare harm them. You're not that low."

"You're right, Sebastian. In your eyes, I'll always be that naive little brother," I laughed. "But Mrs. Wilson seems to think differently. And I think her opinion matters more here than yours ever will." I savored every moment of their discomfort. "She's terrified, and rightly so. I mean, who wouldn't be? Her kids are being held by a violent ex-con - the black sheep of the Price family."

Sebastian and mother were speechless.

"I see you get the picture. Once Mrs. Wilson spills the beans about you two, the headlines will be chaotic. And we don't want that, do we?" The silence was deafening. "Okay, good. So, let's recap: I'm here to claim my shares in the company. I'll stop by the factory first thing tomorrow to see how things are going."

My brother's hatred towards me quadrupled, and that was satisfying.

"See you tomorrow, soldier."

***