Chapter 2

1

"Fine. If you want me to stay, I'll stay."

I calmly put the vial of serum back into my bag.

Xander blinked, clearly stunned.

He probably expected me to beg or scream or try to bolt past him.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Scared now? Good. Serena's opening is a million times more important than your pathetic mother."

Serena laughed and playfully punched his chest.

"I told you, Big Boy. You really know how to keep your woman in line."

She leaned into his ear, loud enough for me to hear.

"Is it the way you dominate her in the bedroom? Last time we tried that new position, I couldn't even walk for three days!"

They started flirting and groping each other right in front of me.

I cleared my throat.

Xander's face twisted with immediate annoyance.

"What now, Elara? Your filthy, stinking mother is as good as dead anyway."

"Did she finally get poisoned by eating out of a dumpster again?"

"Why even bother going? To collect the body? Just tell them to flush her down the drain."

I used to think Xander was just being manipulated by Serena.

I thought he was just temporarily blinded by her toxic 'pick-me' energy.

But hearing him talk about my mother like that made my blood run cold.

He had no idea his own mother was the one gasping for air.

And he thought his mother's life was worth less than Serena's stupid haunted house.

I pulled out a chair and sat down.

"You're right. I'm staying."

"Your fun is the priority. My mother's life is nothing compared to this, right?"

Xander's lip curled in a sneer.

"At least you've finally realized your place."

Serena giggled, practically hanging off him like a cheap accessory.

"Smart girl. Your mom was probably just faking it for a payout anyway."

Xander looked satisfied, letting Serena's hands wander all over him.

"I put forty million dollars into this Horror Manor as a gift for Serena."

"If you breathe a word to ruin the vibe, I'll make sure your whole family follows your mother to the grave."

Right then, Xander's phone rang. He put it on speaker with an impatient groan.

"Mr. Sterling? Your mother is fading fast! If Dr. Elara doesn't bring the serum now, she's gone!"

Xander exploded.

He lunged at me, grabbing my bag and slamming it against the floor.

The vial of serum rolled out onto the concrete.

"Stop comparing Elara's peasant mother to mine!" Xander screamed into the phone.

"If that old hag wants to die, let her! Call me again and I'll sue this hospital into the ground!"

Then, he raised his boot and stomped hard.

The sound of shattering glass filled the room. The only serum in the world was gone.