AT THE HALE'S MANSION
Cecilia's POV
"Marcus, you're barely eating."
I placed a hand on his shoulder, my tone soft and measured, the way one would speak to a wounded animal. He sat slumped in his chair by the window, staring out into the garden. The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed to mock the emptiness in his eyes.
He didn't respond.
"Marcus," I said again, crouching beside him. My voice was a whisper now, laced with concern. "You can't let this destroy you."
Finally, he turned his head, his face etched with exhaustion and something I couldn't quite place…anger? Despair? Perhaps a dangerous mix of both.
"Destroy me?" His voice was hoarse. "How could it not? Liana…" He paused, running a hand through his graying hair. "She's not even mine, Cecilia. Do you know what that means? After everything I've done for her? I raised her. Loved her. Protected her. And now..."
His voice cracked, and I leaned in, placing my hand gently on his knee.
"She betrayed you," I said, letting the words hang in the air. "After all you've done for her, she brought nothing but shame and deceit into this family. And now, she's parading around with that child like it's a badge of honor."
"Don't you dare call Mia that!" Marcus snapped, his eyes narrowing. "She's innocent in all this. A child doesn't deserve to bear the weight of her mother's sins."
I leaned back, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Of course, Marcus. You're right. The child is blameless. But can't you see? Liana has always been this way. Selfish. Manipulative. She's taken everything from you, from us, and now she expects you to pick up the pieces."
Marcus clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists on the armrests of his chair.
"She's not like that," he muttered, but there was no conviction in his voice.
I took a deep breath, letting my eyes brim with unshed tears. This was the moment to strike.
"Marcus, I didn't want to tell you this, but maybe it's time you knew the truth."
He turned to me, confusion clouding his features.
"What truth?"
I stood, walking over to the window and looking out as if the memory was too painful to face.
"There was a time," I began, my voice trembling, "when Liana tried to hurt me. I never told you because I knew how much you loved her, but... she wanted me gone, Marcus. She saw me as an obstacle, someone standing between her and the company. She said horrible things, threatened me. I..I was terrified." I said like I was close to tears
Marcus shot up from his chair, his eyes wide. "What are you talking about?"
I turned to face him, letting a single tear slide down my cheek. "She wanted to take everything, Marcus. The company, the family name, even you. She said I wasn't a real part of this family and that I was only here because you pitied me. She wanted to erase me."
"That's a lie," he said, but his voice wavered.
"It's not!" I cried, clutching my chest as if the memory was physically painful and now tears have started streaming down my face. "Why do you think I stayed quiet all these years? Because I didn't want to hurt you! I thought if I endured it, if I loved her enough, she would change. But she didn't, Marcus. She's only gotten worse."
Marcus sat back down heavily, his head in his hands.
"I can't believe this," he murmured. "After everything..."
I knelt in front of him, placing my hands on his knees. "Forget her, Marcus. Forget the girl who has done nothing but bring chaos into your life. Focus on us, on rebuilding what she's tried to I'm"No," I said firmly, cutting him off. "She's not. She's a parasite, Marcus. A leech that's been draining you dry for years. It's time to let her go."
He opened his mouth to argue, but I pressed on, my tone softening.
"I've always been here for you," I whispered. "Through everything. I've stood by your side, loved you, protected you. Can't you see that?"
His silence was all the answer I needed.
I stood, smoothing the front of my dress and glancing back at him. "I'll make us some tea. You need to rest, Marcus. You've been through enough."
As I walked away, I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. Marcus is a great fool ,easily manipulated,by the time I'm done reshaping his brain before he would realize I'm gone
The seeds were planted. Now, it was only a matter of time.
"Callum!" I called out sharply, pacing the length of the lavish study. I wasn't one to be crushed under pressure. No, not when I was this close to achieving what I have planned for years.
Callum dragged himself into the room, his tattered hair and slouched posture an insult to the image I had in mind for the Hale legacy. He flopped into one of the leather chairs, sprawling like he didn't have a care in the world.
"You called, Mother?" he asked lazily, playing with the edge of his shirt.
I stopped mid-stride and fixed him with a glare. "Don't act so indifferent, Callum. I have news for you."
He perked up slightly, but only just. "What now?"
"It's done," I said, allowing a triumphant smirk to curve my lips. "The obstacle is out of the way. Marcus, your step dad is convinced that Liana is nothing more than a selfish, conniving leech. With her gone, the path is clear for you to step into the role you were always meant to have."
Callum groaned, throwing his head back. "Why must it always be me? Liana barely left a month ago. Can't we just enjoy the silence without more drama?"
I strode over and slapped my hands onto the desk between us, leaning in so he could see the fire in my eyes. "You will do as I say, Callum. If you want to inherit the Hale name, the wealth, the influence, then you need to act like you deserve it. Don't you want the fancy cars, the luxurious trips, the endless possibilities? Or do you plan to waste your life drifting like some aimless fool?"
He sat up straighter, clearly torn between his natural laziness and the lure of the riches I dangled before him. "Of course, I want all that. Who wouldn't? But what's the rush? Dad's still around, and he's…"
"Your father is broken," I snapped, cutting him off. "He's vulnerable, and this is the perfect time to secure your position. Do you think the world will wait for you, Callum? Do you think Liana will stay gone forever? She's out there, plotting God knows what, and we need to act before she tries to claw her way back."
The mention of Liana seemed to light a spark in him. Callum's lips curled into a grin, and he sank back into the chair, looking far too smug for my liking.
"So, she's really gone?" he asked, his tone laced with satisfaction. "No more drama queen tantrums or self-righteous lectures?"
"She's gone," I confirmed, my voice steady but cold. "And now, you can finally take your rightful place. I've spent years building this foundation for you, Callum. Don't squander it."
He laughed, leaning forward with a glint in his eye. "You know, I've got to hand it to you, Mom. You're ruthless. I mean, manipulating Dad into turning on Liana? That's some next-level stuff."
I straightened, smoothing the front of my blouse and lifting my chin. "Everything I do, I do for this family. For you."
Callum stood, walking over to the bar cart in the corner and pouring himself a drink. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Well, I guess I should thank you. With Liana out of the picture, I can finally enjoy the family fortune without her breathing down my neck."
I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction, watching as my son finally began to embrace his role.
"I'm proud of you, Callum," I said, my voice softening just enough to convey sincerity. "You're finally starting to see the bigger picture. Together, we'll ensure that the Hale name remains untouchable."
He raised his glass in a mock toast. "To the Hales. And to get what we deserve."
As he downed the drink, I turned back toward the window, a smirk tugg
ing at my lips. Liana may have been gone for now, but I knew better than to underestimate her resilience.