Chapter 14
Rose
Earlier that day.
“I’m excited to meet your parents,” Rose said to Calum.
“Mmm.” Calum studied Rose and held her hand. He said, “No matter what, I choose you. This is just for formality’s sake.”
Rose smiled, leaning on Calum’s shoulder. “Thank you, Calum,”
Calum had taken Rose to the old Montclair estate, where his parents lived. Since he and Soraya were getting a divorce, Rose had requested to meet his parents, and after so long, he finally agreed.
Rose and Calum had been dating for nearly a year now, but they had only gone public after Soraya was sent on a business trip. Rose had had the pleasure of being introduced to all of Calum’s friends, cousins, and a few business associates but never his parents.
Calum had once told her that Mr. and Mrs. Montclair doted on Soraya, and that was the reason for his hesitation. However, Rose was confident in herself.
Rose came from a wealthy family–the Beckets. They owned five pawnshops in Cedar Heights, Belridge, and Amity Island. Their family had also invested in major companies, such as CD Bank and NexaGrid Power Complex, and, more recently, in Calum’s Montclair Group.
company, the
Aside from that, she was well–educated and studied at the best fashion school in Europe. She earned her master’s degree in business management at the University of Paris. She was beautiful, well–mannered, and had class. Whereas Soraya was just part of Calum’s support staff and had never pursued a master’s degree.
“Surely, they will see how I am more suited for Calum than Soraya,‘ she mused while looking out the car window. As for Sage, she had already won over the little girl’s heart. Sage looked up to her now more than Soraya.
Soon, they got out of the car and slowly made their way to the mansion. A maid met them and guided them to an entertainment area where Calum’s mother could be heard playing the piano.
The maid walked ahead, clearly informing Mrs. Montclair about their arrival. The piano music halted, and soon, excited steps echoed on the marbled floor.
“Soraya! Is that you? I missed you. Let’s play the piano—“Amanda Montclair appeared in the hallway, her mouth wide open in shock. “That’s not Soraya”
At first, Rose felt a pang in her chest, but she concealed her disappointment and tightened her hold on Calum’s arm. “Mrs. Montclair, good evening. My name is Rose Becket. I-—”
“I know who
you are,” Aranda Montclair said, frowning, her voice curt. She turned to Calum, “What’s the meaning of this, Calum? Why have you brought this woman here? Have you no shame?!”
Amanda Montclair was in her mid–fifties, but she looked surprisingly youthful. She preferred to keep her brown hair neatly tied in a bun and dressed elegantly, even at home.
Like Calum, she had blue eyes. They were beautiful, but right now, they were glaring fiercely at Rose.
“Mother, please be polite to my guest, Calum said, tapping Rose’s hand for assurance.”
“You mean your mistress!” Amanda snapped. “I thought I raised you better!”
“It’s high time t that you and Dad meet Rose, Soraya and Lare getting a divorce,” Calum revealed.
“Mr. Montclair, Calum and I love each other. There was never a real
chance,” Rose said. “If you get to know me, you’ll realize I’m better suited for Ca
“WHAT DID YOU SAY?” Amanda snapped. Her face turned red with anger.
Pointing at Rose, Amanda yelled, “You’re going to replace my dear Soraya with a homewrecker!!”
Rose couldn’t help but clench her jaw. ‘Homewrecker? Calum and Soraya’s home was never that of a family!‘
However, Rose tried to keep her composure. Thankfully, Calum defended her. He said. “I never wanted to marry Soraya. You and Dad forced me seven years ago! It’s time to end thist”
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Chapter 14
“But Soraya has sacrificed so much-“Amanda tried to reason.
“Mom, please. Enough. You can no longer control me!” Calum shot back.
Amanda Montclair stood there, fuming. Soon, she s
e screamed, still pointing at Rose. “What makes this pretty as our Soraya! Have you gone blind?“”
woman
better?! She’s not even as
Rose didn’t have time to process Mrs. Montclair’s words because, in the next second, Calum’s mother stormed up to her and slapped her across the face!
“Ah!” Rose couldn’t help but scream. She nearly lost her balance from how Amanda struck hert
“I will never want you for my son! What kind of decent woman gets tangled with a married man?” Amanda snapped, shocking Rose. “Soraya is the only daughter–in–law I will accept!”
“Stop this! What has Soraya fed you to keep taking her side?” Calum shot back.
Rose had known Calum to be a man of few words, but this time, he spoke with conviction. He added, “I am divorcing Soraya, and that’s hnall
“Ah.” Amanda suddenly collapsed to the floor, her hand gripping her chest. “You–you!”
At first, Calum acted to leave, taking Rose’s hand, but he turned to his mother, asking, “Mom? Are you okay!”
When
(Amanda began gasping for air and lay flat on the floor, Calum screamed, “Call the driver! Let’s take Mother to the hospital!”
Two hours later.
“Mrs. Amanda Montclair experienced a mild heart attack, but she is stable now,” the doctor informed Rose, Calum, and Cedric Montclair. “Can you tell me what happened earlier? It might help us identify what triggered the heart attack.”
Hearing that, Rose felt guilty. If she hadn’t suggested meeting g Calum’s parents, Mrs. Montclair might not have been in that situation.
Web
had an argument, Doctor,” Calum admitted.
“Oh.” The doctor looked disappointed. “Well, Sir, you should take care of your mother. Right now, she cannot handle any emotional
stress.”
They were having a conversation outside Mrs. Montclair’s private room. Cedric, Calum’s father, looked gloomy as he turned to Rose and Calum. “I don’t want you near my wife–both of you.”
-You’re old enough, Calum, and you own most of the company shares. I won’t be able to control you, but–I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL MY WIFE!” Cedric yelled.
Calum tried to speak, but Cedric ordered, “LEAVE!”
It became clear to Rose how much Calum’s parents truly cherished Soraya. To her, it was baffling!
As they left the hospital, Rose clenched her hands into fists, silently cursing Soraya. “What makes her better than me? She is nothing! Soraya was nothing more than a scheming woman who tried to get into Calum’s bed! She can never be anything like me!”
Of course, she kept these thoughts to herself. She never wanted Calum to see this side of her.
But because she wanted to prove herself to the Montclairs, she told herself, ‘Be patient, Rose. Be patient. In due time, they will see how you are better than Soraya.
-Soraya –
Hack in Jacob’s estate.
Soraya stared blankly at the name e flashing on her phone screen. “Why was Calum’s father calling?”
Though pan of her wanted to answer, she knew she had to step back from the Montclairs. She was grateful for Calum’s parents‘ kindness, but right now, she needed room to focus on herself.
She waited for the call to end, and afterward, she turned off her phon
3.55 PM p p.
Chapter 14
“Why not answer it?” Jacob asked.
“I didn’t want to.” Soraya responded.
Jacob nodded lightly. He was silent for a moment before he restarted. “About the favor”
In with?”
“Yes, about the favor.” Soraya echoed. “What is it that you need help
Jacob sucked in a deep breath, saying, “I would like to hire you as Angela’s teacher. I’m not asking for much, just your weekends. I’ll prepare a guest room for you to stay in the mansion, and I’ll pay you two hundred thousand dollars per weekend.”
Hearing that, Soraya’s mouth dropped. Two hundred thousand dollars per weekend? Is he crazy?”
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