Bitter tears slid down my face as the truth clawed at me. “Of course. Because he’s your son, isn’t he?”
Jason’s eyes flickered with shock before he masked it with a cold smile. “Don’t be absurd. Her husband abandoned them. Julius just… sees me as a father figure.”
His lie sliced through me. My whole body trembled as I whispered, “Do what you want, Jason. I don’t care anymore.” I stormed upstairs before he could reply.
In the bedroom, my phone rang. I grabbed it like a lifeline, it was our family lawyer.
“Do you have the divorce papers ready?” I demanded.
“Mrs. Morales,” his voice was calm, “My secretary told me about your request, but I need to confirm… are you certain you want to divorce your husband?”
“Did I stutter? I need out of this marriage within seven days!”
“Mrs. Morales,” he said carefully, “you understand that if you file for divorce, you’ll lose your family’s company. According to the document you signed, it will pass to your husband.”
“What?” My heart dropped, my voice cracking in shock.
“Amber? Who are you talking to?”
I spun around. Jason was standing at the doorway, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Amber’s Pov
“Who are you talking to, Amber?” Jason asked again, stepping closer.
I snapped the call closed and glared at him. “Why does it matter? Have I lost the right to private calls now?” I kept my voice sharp.
He gave a practiced, tight smile. “I was only checking on you. You stormed off so I came to see if you were okay.”
My lie came easily. “It was the PI. He called about my brother’s death.”
Jason’s jaw tightened. “Has he found anything?”
“He said he has a lead,” I lied. “He should have an answer to who killed him by the end of the week.”
Jason nodded, but his eyes darkened. He did not look relieved even though he tried to hide it.
“Amber,” he said, voice soft. “Chloe is a mother too. For the sake of her son, try to forgive her.”
I laughed, a short, bitter sound. “Her son? My son died. He choked in her car. Do you know how long it takes to suffocate? His fingers were broken from scratching the door. He cried and no one helped.”
My throat closed on the last words. The memory of identifying his tiny body made bile rise in my mouth.
“Our son is dead, Amber, but I won’t let you ruin Chloe’s life because of it. She saved my life!” Jason said fiercely.