Chapter 10 The Ex's Claws
"Dad?”
Mark’s voice cut through the room.
Sarah’s shoulders stiffened before she even turned. Joseph’s face changed fast, like someone switching masks. The anger he had been holding snapped back into something smooth.
“Mark,” Joseph said, smiling. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
Mark stepped fully inside the office and shut the door behind him. He didn’t sit. He didn’t smile back. His eyes moved from his father to his mother, then back again.
“What are you doing here, dad?” he asked.
Joseph spread his hands.
“I came to see how your mom’s business is doing.”
Sarah’s mouth opened on instinct. “That’s not—”
Mark lifted his hand slightly. “Dad,” he said, still calm. “Why are you here?”
Joseph cleared his throat.
“I said why. I heard things were a bit tight. I thought maybe I could help. Invest. You know. I care about your future.”
Sarah stared at him, disbelief tightening her chest.
“My future?” Mark repeated.
“Yes,” Joseph said quickly. “Everything your mom does affects you. I wanted to see how things were running.”
Sarah laughed. It came out sharp. “That’s funny.”
Joseph turned on her. “Can you not do this?”
“Do what?” she snapped. “Tell the truth?”
Mark’s eyes narrowed. “Mom?”
Joseph stepped in fast. “Your mom is stressed. That’s all. Running a business alone can do that to a person.”
Sarah felt heat rush to her face. “Alone?” she said. “You want to talk about being alone now?”
“Sarah,” Joseph warned.
Mark looked between them again. “Dad. You’re avoiding the question.”
Joseph sighed and rubbed his hands together. “I missed you, son. I wanted to see you. Is that so wrong?”
“You didn’t come to my school,” Mark said. “You didn’t call last week. You didn’t answer my message.”
Joseph’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been busy.”
“Busy doing what?” Mark asked.
Joseph looked at Sarah. Then back at Mark. “Trying to fix things.”
Sarah couldn’t hold it in anymore. “He came asking for a share of the company.”
The words landed hard.
Mark blinked. “What?”
Joseph spun toward her. “That’s a lie.”
Sarah stood up from her chair. “You said you helped build it. You said you deserve a share.”
“I did not say that,” Joseph barked.
“You did,” she said. “You said we were married when I was growing it, so you’re entitled. Stop lying to my face, Joseph!”
Mark let out a short laugh. “Dad, you’re joking.”
Joseph’s face darkened. “I am not joking.”
Mark frowned. “You can’t be serious.”
“I put resources into this family,” Joseph said. “I supported your mother while she chased this dream.”
Sarah laughed again, this time bitter.
“You discouraged me every step. You mocked my first projects. Just stop this madness, Joseph.”
“That is not true,” Joseph snapped.
“It is,” she said. “I took loans because you refused to help. I worked nights while you complained.”
Mark’s smile faded. “Dad?”
Joseph’s voice rose. “She’s twisting things.”
Sarah stepped closer to the desk.
“You tried to sabotage my first contract because you were jealous.”
Joseph slammed his hand on the table. “Enough!”
Mark flinched.
“Don’t shout,” Mark said quietly.
Joseph took a breath. “I’m not here to fight.”
“Then why are you here? It doesn't make sense that you just showed up here.” Mark said.
Joseph hesitated. Just for a second.
Sarah saw it. Mark did too.
“He wants a settlement,” Sarah said. “Outside court. That’s why he came.”
Joseph turned red. “You are trying to poison my son against me.”
Mark looked confused now. “Dad, did you ask her for a share?”
“No,” Joseph said immediately. “She’s lying.”
Sarah shook her head slowly. “You said if I let you in, you won’t take it to court.”
Joseph pointed at her. “See? This is what she does. She wants to make me look greedy.”
Mark crossed his arms. “You are greedy.”
Joseph’s eyes flashed. “Watch your mouth.”
“Why?” Mark said. “Because it’s true?”
Joseph laughed harshly. “She’s turned you against me.”
Sarah stepped in front of Mark without thinking. “Don’t do that.”
Joseph sneered. “Look at you. Still playing victim.”
Mark’s voice was firmer now. “Dad. Stop.”
Joseph exhaled. “Mark, if you ever want to move out, you can come stay with me.”
Sarah stiffened. “What?”
Mark stared at him. “Why would I do that?”
“I’m your father,” Joseph said. “You shouldn’t feel trapped.”
“I’m not trapped,” Mark said. “I’m fine.”
Joseph forced a smile. “Just saying you have options.”
Mark shook his head. “You still haven’t answered me.”
Joseph snapped. “I already did!”
“No,” Mark said. “You didn’t.”
Silence stretched.
Sarah felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She ignored it.
Joseph looked tired suddenly. “I came to protect what’s mine.”
Mark frowned. “What’s yours?”
Joseph gestured around. “This. The years. The effort.”
Sarah scoffed. “You never lifted a finger.”
Joseph turned on her again. “You want to ruin my relationship with my son.”
“I want him to know the truth,” she said.
Mark spoke softly.
“Dad… I heard your conversation before I walked in.”
Joseph froze.
“What?” he said.
“I was outside,” Mark continued. “I heard you talking about shares.”
Joseph’s face drained of color. “You misunderstood.”
“I heard you say court,” Mark said. “I heard you say she should be grateful.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
Joseph shook his head. “Mark, listen—”
“No,” Mark cut in. “You lied.”
Joseph’s voice trembled now. “I was negotiating.”
“You were threatening,” Mark said.
Joseph stepped forward. “She drove me to it.”
Mark stepped back. “It’s not like you to take responsibility for your actions. So it's natural that you'd blame her.”
Joseph stared at his son, stunned.
“I wanted to trust you this one time,” Mark said. “I thought you came for something that would benefit me and my mom in any way.”
Joseph swallowed. “I did.”
“Then why did you lie?” Mark asked.
Joseph opened his mouth and closed it.
Sarah finally spoke, her voice low.
“You should leave.”
Joseph laughed weakly. “You don’t get to tell me that.”
Mark looked at him. “Yes. She does.”
Joseph stared at them both, then turned toward the door.
As he reached for the handle, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He looked at the screen.
Then he smiled.