Jade's POV
I stood frozen for a moment, watching Marcus's retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.
My mind was racing, trying to make sense of his cryptic words.
Shaking my head, I turned back to the front door and let myself in, my hands trembling slightly as I fumbled with the doorknob.
Once inside, I leaned against the closed door, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. The house was quiet, eerily so. And I wondered where the workers in the house had gone, making everywhere empty.
"Ms Thompson!" I called out to the maid but all I got in response was silence.
"Maybe she had gone to the store." I concluded and made my way to the living room. I sank onto the couch, my encounter with Marcus playing on repeat in my head.
"Catching up with an old flame? What could he possibly mean by that?" I muttered to myself, my brow furrowing.
Time seemed to crawl as I waited for Mom to return. I tried to distract myself by scrolling through my phone, but my thoughts kept circling back to Marcus. What was he doing here?
"And why did he seem so ... comfortable?"
The sound of keys jingling in the lock jolted me from my thoughts. I sat up straight, my heart pounding as I heard Mom's footsteps in the hallway.
"Jade? You are back from school?" she called out.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.
"Yes, In here, Mom," I replied, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.
She walked into the living room, a smile on her face that faltered when she saw my expression.
"Is everything okay, sweetie?" She asked me.
I cut straight to the chase. I was too impatient to know what was going on, to be beating around the bush.
"Mom, why was Marcus here today?" I blurted out, staring directly into her eyes.
The color drained from her face, and I saw a flicker of... was that guilt in her eyes? She quickly composed herself, but not before I caught her reaction.
"Marcus? I... I don't know what you're talking about, Jade. Why would he be here?" She laughed nervously, avoiding my gaze as she busied herself with arranging some magazines on the coffee table.
I stood up, my hands clenched at my sides.
"Yes, Marcus! Don't lie to me, Mom. I saw him. He was right outside the front door, acting like he owned the place. He was here, at Raymond's house, of all places! He said something about 'catching up with an old flame.' What's going on?" I asked.
"I need you to tell me the truth, mom." I added, firmly.
My mom's hands stilled, and she slowly turned to face me. Her eyes darted around the room, looking anywhere but at me.
"Jade, I... See, it is complicated. You wouldn't understand." She stated.
"Try me, Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're seeing him again. After everything he did to us... to me." I said, my voice hard.
She sighed heavily, finally meeting my eyes.
"It is not what you think. I ran into him a few weeks ago, and... we've been talking. That is all. Talking to him doesn't mean I am seeing him again." She maintained, firmly.
But I could see it in her face – the guilt, the nervousness. There was more to this story, and she wasn't telling me everything.
"Mom!" I stated in disbelief, my voice cracking.
"After everything he did to you! Apart from taking my college funds, he deceived you and collected everything you had saved up and should have with you. You fed him, clothed him, indulged him and did everything for him yet he dumped you in the most cruel manner.
How can you even consider talking to him, again?" I reminded her, looking at her in disbelief.
She flinched at the reminder, and for a moment, I saw a flash of the same anger and helplessness I had felt that day a year ago. But then her expression hardened.
"That is in the past, Jade. People change. And... and it's not your place to judge who I spend time with." She replied me and shook her head.
I felt like I had been slapped.
"Not my place? Mom, he stole from me, from you! He treated you horribly! How can you just forget all that?" I gritted out.
"And what about Raymond? Mom, you have a new boyfriend and this is his house. How could you allow your ex boyfriend to come here, when it is not even your house? What are you doing, Mom? Did you even think of your actions before taking them?" I made the tut tut sound of disapproval.
She turned away, her shoulders tense.
"You're just overreacting, Jade. It was just a casual meetup. Nothing more." She insisted.
"People date, break up, and become friends again! It is a normal thing, no big deal!" She added, much to herself.
But I could hear the lie in her voice, see it in the way she wouldn't meet my eyes. My stomach churned with a mix of anger and fear.
"Mom, you can't ..." I wanted to continue protesting against her action but she cut me short immediately.
"Enough! I have heard enough." She grunted.
"Now, listen, don't you dare think of saying anything about Marcus in the presence of Raymond, do you understand me? I am going to deal with this, so stay out of it. It is none of your business." She turned to look at me, and sneered.
My lips parted in shock. That was how she was going to play it?
"I ask, do you understand me?" She gritted out.
Reluctantly, I nodded and she gave me a firm nod in response and walked away, to the master bedroom.
As I watched my mom retreat to her room, closing the door behind her, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong. And I was determined to find out what it was, no matter the cost.