CHAPTER TWO

MARCUS'S POV

I knew that I had disappointed my father yet again, and sometimes I wondered if I was really his actual son.

“James you shouldn't talk to your son in such a horrible way, he's just a child” mother said angrily as she wiped my tears away.

Father scoffed furiously.

“Who knows, maybe he's not even in my blood thanks to the affairs you were having,” he said acidly.

“Enough James!” Mother yelled as she couldn't take the nasty comments anymore.

“I admit that I haven't been a perfect wife, but I swear on our son's life Marcus is your son James.”

I stared at my father like he was the worst person in the world. He was always an absentee father figure in my life. I never received any love from him. He was always cold and distant, but I still found myself craving his attention and fatherly love.

“This is your own flesh and blood James or are you just too blind to see that this is your son?” Mother stroked my black thick hair pulling me close to her.

Sometimes it felt like she was the only one who truly cared about me. 

“He has your gray charcoal eyes James same black thick hair like you, I gave birth to him, I know what I'm saying.”

Father looked at me with resentment and the mother broke down and hugged me tightly.

It was just the two of us.

Father never cared about me and my broken arm was nothing to him. Sometimes I didn't understand why he hated me.

FAITH'S POV (MARCUS'S MOTHER)

It hurt when I recalled the wedding vows I took when I was in love full of life.

“For better for worse” those words held such a deeper meaning.

We were happy so in love ready to conquer the world, but I don't know how everything came crashing down and blew up in my face.

I was never like James pushed me to the core. I couldn't take the cheating scandals anymore. And the dirty looks people kept giving me.

I still remember that horrible night like it was yesterday. 

Someone had tipped me off that James was with one of his mistresses. I had two options: confront him or just let him continue with his betrayal.

James had been continuously cheating on me for two fucking years many women in the town spread rumors that he had two kids with his mistress.

I couldn't take it anymore. I just snapped and rushed there in anger.

The rumors were true indeed James had a family with that slut when I tried to beat her up he protected her.

And hit me instead I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life.

What was trust anyway?

When you fall head over heels in love with someone, and you don't care about that person's bad traits, but you just focus on the good expecting that they'll do the same.

That night I don't know where I went, but my feet carried me to a bar. I've never drank alcohol in my life, but I heard that it did wonders when you're in this kind of mood.

I had very little money on me and I used it to order some whiskey precisely on ice.

A man sat close to me while I gulped my alcohol instantly the liquid burned down my throat when I swallowed it.

“What's a beautiful woman like yourself doing in such a forsaken place?” He asked curiously.

“I'm here to seek comfort. Maybe the alcohol will take away the pain I'm feeling right now.”

“My husband has been cheating on me for two fucking years I just recently found out that he has two kids with his mistress. When I confronted him about the issue he beat the shit out of me.”

The man nodded.

“You're a strong woman and I think that you deserve a better man as well who will truly love you” he says quietly.

“So what are you suggesting?” I asked curiously.

He smiled.

“You're a smart woman Faith you know that your husband cheated on you, so you don't need to play by the rules anymore. You're a free woman, and you can do anything you like.”

I sighed deeply.

He was right by cheating on me James had set me free and anything I did wouldn't matter to him.

I owned him nothing because he had humiliated me and tarnished my honor.

“Come with me just for one night and let me give you what you've always wanted my dear” he whispers, kissing my white knuckles.

“What's in it for you? I asked.

A small smile curved his lips and our eyes met.

“Bear me a child, and I'll give anything you want I mean it.”

My eyes widened in shock and I withdrew my hand from his grasp.

“A child?” I repeated still in shock.

He nodded sadly.

“My wife and I have been married for forty years. Both of us are getting old, and I need an heir.”

He saw my hesitation and held my hand.

“Just grant me this wish and name your price. I'll give you anything you desire: money, power,fame, you name it.”

If I accept his offer I could use the money to leave this town and start a new life with my son Marcus. He'll go to a very good school, and I'll buy a house just for the both of us.

The both of us would start over and leave this horrible past behind without James in it.

“I accept your offer.”

The man smiled at me. He looked relieved that I agreed to give him a child. A child that would never raise or see ever again.

“We can leave right now so that you can sign the agreement right away.”

I nodded and followed him out of the bar.

The air outside felt cold, but reality dawned on me how would I keep the pregnancy a secret? 

James would get suspicious because he barely touched me anymore. I'll have to think of things to cover up.

Twenty minutes later we had arrived at the hotel. I would sign the papers, and we would get intimate. Losing my virtue was worth it for my son to have a better life and upbringing.

I went back home around midnight luckily James wasn't home yet, and I had left Marcus with my family.

They would look after him and right now they were the only people I trusted. 

I felt bile rising in my throat and I rushed to the bathroom. By the time I was flushing the toilet I was pale and weak. I don't think I'll ever drink alcohol again.

I took off my clothes and later sank into the tab soaking myself I winced in pain when the hot water made contact with my fresh bruises and cuts.

A tear rolled down my cheeks but this time I didn't try to wipe it away. I wanted to cry my eyes out and let go of the pain I was feeling.

My body shook violently as my sobs got my louder. I was tired of being strong. His betrayal hurt more than anything, but I was no different from him because I was going to cheat on him as well.

Our relationship was basically messed up, and I didn't know our dynamic anymore. I only managed to stay saint and not go insane only for Marcus.

I was his hero. Not only that, but I couldn't let him see me weak.