Chapter 2 - The Price of a Son
"Ohio?" Margaret tilted her head, her gaze piercing right through her son’s fiancee. "I haven't lived in Ohio in twenty-five years, Claire."
Claire let out a shrill, mocking laugh that echoed across the vaulted ceiling of Gate 14. "Oh, listen to the grand delusions! What, did you rent a storage locker in Chicago and call it an upgrade? Derek told me everything. How you washed floors at a military depot. How you clipped coupons just to buy him cheap sneakers. You’re nobody. And nobody enters our family without paying the tax."
Derek shifted his weight awkwardly, his blue dress shirt suddenly feeling tight around his collar. "Mom, please. Stop embarrassing me. Claire’s father owns Montgomery Logistics. His signature on my loan guarantee is the only thing standing between me and bankruptcy. Why can't you just let me win for once?"
Margaret looked at her son—really looked at him. She saw the boy who used to scrape his knees on the concrete runways outside the naval base where she had worked twelve-hour shifts. She remembered working until her knuckles bled so he could attend private prep schools and prestigious universities without taking out a single dollar of student debt.
"I gave you everything, Derek," Margaret said evenly. "I paid every tuition bill in cash. I never asked for a penny in return."
"Because you wanted to control him!" Claire snapped, tossing her bleached hair. "That’s what poor mothers do! They guilt-trip their successful sons into supporting them! Well, the gravy train stops right here, old lady. Derek is mine now. His company is funded by Montgomery money. You don't get a seat at his table."
Claire reached into her designer handbag, pulled out a second document, and shoved it against Margaret’s chest.
"Sign it," Claire demanded. "It’s a complete legal disownment and a strict nondisclosure agreement. Sign it, or Derek’s wire transfer doesn't clear tonight."
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👉 Derek’s next words would destroy the last ounce of mercy his mother had left.
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