Page 55 of Stepson

Gabe remembered me this entire time. Why didn’t he tell me? Here I was, walking around thinking he didn’t and silently hoping he would eventually. I can't help but wonder if this is some kind of game for him. Surely, I’m not a pawn to get back at his father.

The blood drains from my face as I look back down at the photo. This might have been taken seven years ago when we were clearly smitten with each other, but things have surely changed. I don't want to believe Gabe would use me to get back at his father while punishing me for marrying Marcus. No, it can't be true.

My bedroom door flies open and an angry Marcus glares in at us. His chest is heaving as if he's just run a marathon and his eyes are crazy.

"What are you still doing here, Maggie?" His voice booms throughout my room as I flinch.

"I, um, I was just—"

"I asked her here," I lie. "You were so angry with me, and I wanted to make it up by having her cook your favorite breakfast in the morning."

It’s a complete lie, but I don't want him to know the truth as I slowly move the photo behind me. But I’m not inconspicuous enough and he sees my movements.

"What is that?"

"N-nothing," I stammer as fear grips my chest. I don't want him to see the photo and destroy it.

"Let me see it. Now!" He screams.

As I flinch, my bottom lip trembles, and I know I have to give up the photo or face the consequences. I pull the photo from behind me and hold it out with a shaking hand. Marcus storms over and tears it away, glaring down at the photo with fire in his eyes. His jaw clenches, and I know he’s about to burst.

"My favorite breakfast, huh?!" He yells before he roughly grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet. “Do you think I’m stupid?! What the fuck is this?!” He waves the photo in my face, slapping my forehead with it as I flinch even more.

“I f-found it in Gabe’s things.” I sob as I try to move away from him but his grip on my arm only tightens.

“Do you want my son?!” He continues to scream his words as fury fills his gaze. “Well too fucking bad! You’ll never have him! You’remywife, Bentley! And just for this little act, I think I might have him arrested again.”

“No!” I cry.

My gaze moves to Maggie as I watch tears stream down her cheeks as she covers her mouth. This isn’t her fault, and I need her to know that.

“I promise to never think of him again! Just please, don’t do that!” I plead with him.

His angered gaze slides over me before he roughly pushes me away and then does the one thing I don’t want him to. He tears the photo into a million pieces and throws them in my face.

“If I ever hear his name in this house or out of your mouth, I’ll put him back where he belongs. You’re mine! Do you understand me?!”

I don’t answer. How can I? I never understand a thing Marcus does, and this is one of them. Why does he hate his son so much? I mean, I get that he’s angry about everything, but there has to be something much deeper than I ever imagined.

“Do you understand me?!” He screams again.

“Yes,” I finally whisper as I turn my gaze away from him.

He steps away from me as he blows out a breath and runs a hand through his hair. His gaze meets mine again and there isn’t an ounce of love in his eyes for me. I don’t understand why he keeps me around if he doesn't love me. I’m a human-being, God damnit! I’m not his property!

“Since you’re here, Maggie, go make me a fucking cup of tea.”

Maggie jumps at his command, storming for the door as if she were on a mission. He not only treats me like I’m his property, but everyone else he comes in contact with as well. He’s a heartless man, and I hate him with everything I have.

Chapter twenty-nine

Gabe

As I sit out front of the mansion after paying my Uber driver with the little cash I have, I stare at the place and feel nothing but disgust for my father. He literally took everything he has by force, and it needs to stop. I know in my heart it didn't begin with my mother, and I soon find myself wondering how many other people he’s fucked over.

His reign will end soon, and I'll be the one to take this prick down. Maggie mentioned how he didn't have cameras in the mansion, and I want to know what he’s hiding. Whatever he has in there is damning enough to put him behind bars, and he knows it. Now I just need to find it.

But first, I need to make sure my girl is okay.

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