Chapter Ninety six

Darius' POV

Watching Alpha Orion storm away from the dining table, I knew my mother had orchestrated the entire evening just to ignite conflict between us. She had always been a master of manipulation, and tonight was no different. Her smile, barely hidden behind a mask of concern, told me everything I needed to know—this had gone exactly the way she intended. The dining room felt suffocating as I sat alone with her, the tension thick enough to choke on.

I slowly set my spoon down, the clatter echoing in the silence. My mother glanced at me, sensing my displeasure, and immediately composed herself, as if nothing had happened.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, feigning innocence. "I didn’t commit a crime. I merely stated the truth. Anita is a problem, and I won’t support her. She refuses to let you love her. How is that fair? You could’ve saved her from the life she’s living, but she keeps choosing your brother. She’s hindering your potential, Darius, and you know it.