Chapter 4
684 Words
Jacob had always promised he would take me home to meet his mother. Year after year, I waited for that day. I never imagined I would finally meet her in such a desperate state of mind.
The elegant, refined woman got straight to the point. "My son comes from wealth. He's merely playing with you. Here's a 500,000-dollar cheque, take it and disappear."
I stared at the cheque lying on the floor. Five years of devotion, and a 500,000-dollar cheque. It all felt so cheap.
Jacob emerged from the bedroom and took in the scene. He knew the game was up. Stepping in front of me, he faced his mother. "Mom, I love Ella. I want to bring her home."
I pushed him aside. "You're in my way."
"Ma'am, I would've left even without your money. He's your precious son. To me, he's nothing." I picked up my handbag, ready to walk out. Three years together, and I didn't have a single thing worth taking with me.
Jacob looked rattled. He grabbed my hand. "What are you saying, Ella? Don't be scared. I won't leave you. I'll take you home and marry you."
I shook him off with fury. "No, thanks. I don't need you, and I don't need your counterfeit feelings."
"Why? I admit I deceived you before, but that was all for my art. Weren't you always the one who supported my career the most?" His voice grew more insistent. "Let's be honest here. I just didn't want my future wife to be with me for my money."
I could barely keep myself from laughing at his twisted logic.
Seeing her son treated this way, Jacob's mother fixed me with a filthy look. "Noah, there's no need to waste words on this lowborn tramp. Come home with me. I've just received a news, the daughter of Burlington's wealthiest family is returning from abroad. That's the real perfect match for you."
But Jacob shook his head. "Mom, I don't want any perfect match at all. I only love Ella. She's the only one I want as my wife."
His mother's frustration boiled over. "What's so special about a woman like her? Don't be fooled by her tough act. It's all a performance. Otherwise, why has she been throwing these tantrums lately?"
And then she turned to me. "Now that you know my son's true identity, you're just feigning indifference to make him think more highly of you."
Her words made Jacob hesitate. He turned to me. "Ella, I want you to tell me yourself, tell me it isn't like that. I don't want our relationship to be built on schemes."
Sincere feelings after all these years, and I couldn't even earn a shred of trust.
"It's exactly like that."
"Hah. What did I tell you? People like her know exactly how to climb the social ladder. Her mother was probably a mistress, that's why she raised her daughter to be one too." Jacob's mother was truly venting her anger on me.
"Hey, you little b*tch, how dare you throw water on me!"
I can own up to my mistakes. But I will not tolerate anyone slandering my mother.
"Watch your mouth. Or next time, it won't just be water."
Taking in his mother's drenched face, Jacob tightened his fists. "Did my mother hit a nerve? Are you lashing out because she told the truth? Ella, I didn't think you were this kind of person. Apologize to my mother. Now!"
"I'm not apologizing. Not to you, and certainly not to your mother. Neither of you deserves it."
I snapped the cheque in half and tossed it into the trash.
Smack.
Pain blazed across my cheek. I stared at Jacob in disbelief. The look in his eyes was cold, utterly foreign.
Tears flooded my eyes.
Maybe he realized he'd gone too far, and I could clearly see that a flicker of regret crossed his face. He reached out to touch me. I dodged his hand and ran down the stairs as fast as my legs would carry me.
Downstairs, my mother's car was already waiting.
- Writer
