My heart sank as I shut my eyes and opened them in pure disbelief. Archer was back with the Enforcer’s Sister?! I thought that after his disappearing act last Christmas till the new year, it was over between them. I had given the little bitch some form of immunity because she was Mark's little sister, Mark had just died, and I believed Archer was doing her out of misguided loyalty to his late friend. But now, seeing them together, letting her meet Victor Donovan, it shattered my hopes.
‘No, it couldn't be true. It must be a mistake, a misunderstanding,’ I thought to myself. But the evidence was right in front of me, with every gesture, every glance, the way Archer touched and looked at her made me feel like I was witnessing a nightmare. When he kissed her again, I couldn't bear to watch. I turned away, unable to stand seeing him treat her the way I deserved to be treated. The pain and jealousy gnawed at me, and I tried to hide my emotions, but it was too much to bear.
My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. I had tried for months to make him sleep with me, and he couldn't—it was as if he was impotent. And now, all this time, it was for her! What made her stand out compared to me? Sure, she excelled academically, but intelligence alone isn't the sole measure of success in the real world. Fine, she might have that innocent and charming beauty like a princess, but I considered myself beautiful too! No! I am fucking stunning!
My thoughts kept going back to the time they posed her as his nurse, and the images replayed in my head like a nightmare. Archer's men surrounded her as if she were the lady of the house. I should have known then. The way Archer reacted when I asked him about her, the fire in his eyes, the hostility—it was all for this girl!
A growl escaped my lips as I returned to Victor's suite, needing time to calm down and think. Whatever I must do, I have to be extremely careful to ensure it never leads back to me. Archer had been cordial and friendly with me for the past months. We could even pass for friends it was so nauseating. But all this time that I had longed for his touch, I should have paid more attention. There was no way in hell I was going to sit back and let her take what's rightfully mine!
Pacing back and forth, I heard footsteps approaching, and I quickly shut my eyes, trying to compose myself. I hadn't told Victor I would be coming to Duport. I had received information that he intended to stay back while my mother returned to Brooks today, and I simply didn't want to give him the chance to be alone and go running after some gold diggers in Duport.
Evidently, I needed to sharpen my claws because I had snoozed and let one through the cracks already. I waited, but the main door didn't open as I expected. Instead, muffled voices piqued my interest, and I followed the sound.
Victor's suite had about three rooms—an opulent, lavish living room and a smaller parlor, adorned with the biggest bedroom that Victor occupied. The entire suite was designed with rich, dark woods and elegant, gold accents, giving it a regal and luxurious ambiance.
As I got closer, I realized that the voices were coming from Victor's living room, and they sounded like Archer and my mother. My frown deepened, and I became curious, pressing my ear to the door, trying to catch snippets of their conversation.
As I eavesdropped on the conversation, I heard Archer's stern voice warning my mother, "Hey, back off. I am not going to repeat myself." I couldn't quite grasp the context, but it was evident that something had led to his warning.
"Are you seriously going to marry that girl, Archer? It's like Beauty and the Beast crossed over with Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf!" My mother's voice was filled with frustration and upset.
Archer replied calmly, seemingly unfazed by her words, "And I should care about your opinion because?"
"What is it, Archer? Do you think that girl could satisfy you the way I can? Or have you developed a fetish for little virgins now?!" My mother's harsh retort made me gasp in shock. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Oh, so you're jealous? That is what this fits is about. You're a nutcase… you and your daughter need help! Take your madness far away from my woman or there will be consequences. Don't even think about looking for her in the guise of some damn spa. If I hear that you got as close as a block to her, I will crush you, Patricia," Archer warned, his tone unwavering and resolute.
My mother seemed undeterred by his warning and taunted, "Woah, you really got it bad, huh? Why don't I remind you just what you would be giving away, Archer, love…"
“Don’t you dare touch me…” Archer warned in a dangerously low voice, showing his clear boundary. My mother huffed loudly, letting out a loud frustrated growl.
I opened the door and saw my mother clad in nothing but a towel robe, displaying her body for Archer. I couldn't believe my eyes as I opened the door. The shock of the scene before me left me trembling with rage. The enforcer's sister might have managed to capture some of Archer's attention, but I felt like the biggest fool ever.
All this time, when Archer refused to be intimate with me, he was fucking my own mother! She had betrayed me in the worst possible way, stealing Victor from me, and killing my baby, and now, it seemed she was also involved with Archer, snatching all the men that I want from right under my nose.
"You bitch!" I couldn't hold back my anger and lunged at her, but Archer swiftly caught me in mid-air before I could reach her. "I am going to kill you!" I growled, my emotions overwhelming me.
She looked shocked, clearly not expecting to be caught trying to fuck her husband’s son in his father’s suite. "You ruin everything. You ruin everything. You bitch!" I roared, my fury uncontainable. Archer quickly covered my mouth with his hand, carrying me out of the room and to the other wing of the suite.
He didn't stop until we were at the other end, where he pinned me against the wall, holding my gaze firmly and repeating, "Stop it. Calm down."
Feeling helpless and defeated, I felt like a complete fool and loser. To be played by my own mother was a betrayal beyond words. I vowed repeatedly in my head that I would make her pay for what she had done. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as Archer tried to comfort me. But how could I ever be comforted after such a betrayal?
Archer must have sensed that the fight was leaving my body because he stepped back and removed his hand from my mouth. Gently wiping away my tears, he said, "We were all pretty messed up. But we have a chance to make amends, Jessica. You are beautiful and I am certain you can achieve anything you set your heart to. You need to see a doctor…"
His words were a mix of comfort and concern, but I was too lost in my own pain and anger to fully grasp their meaning. My mind was racing with thoughts of revenge and how to get back at my mother for what she had done to me.
"A doctor?" I muttered, feeling puzzled by Archer's suggestion.
"Yes, a psychologist or mental health professional to receive appropriate support and guidance..." he replied gently.
"I am not crazy, Archer!" I snapped at him.
"I am not saying you are, but please, you must know. Patricia really messed you up, and you don't need to follow her path. You need to get help, Jessica, and fast. Don't do anything stupid that would seal your coffin. Victor may not love Patricia, but he calls her his wife. He will not spare you. Do you understand me?"
"Victor will not hurt me for her!"
"Really? Are you sure about that?" Archer's voice turned chilly, and then he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way. I messed up, and I apologize. I should have refused any sexual involvement with you and your mother, but I didn't, and I am sorry. I am not that man anymore, and I hope you understand..." he said, his words sending shockwaves through me. Archer was apologizing to me! Oh, my God! It is over. What did that little witch do to him?!
"Does Victor know you were fucking his wife?" I said, trying to inflict pain and wanting him to feel shitty and threatened with his bloody world peace sermon.
He took a step back, and his face returned to its cold, stoic expression. "I don't know, but if you decide to test me and tell him, remember, I am his son," he said as he turned away and walked towards the exit. Before leaving, he glanced back and added, "And if you ever entertain the idea of pursuing my woman, think twice. I'd rather not see you meet your end at my hands, Jessica. I won't hesitate to act." With that, he departed
The pain that tore through me was profound. I felt my heart literally freezing in my chest. Every single one of them would pay, starting with Patricia. My mind was set on revenge, and I vowed to make her pay for the pain she had caused me. My emotions were a whirlwind of anger, hurt, and a burning desire to make them all suffer as they had made me suffer.