Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Hunter:
If someone had told me six years ago that this is what my life would currently look like, I’d have laughed in their face—or better yet, slapped the hell out of them.
Me. Hunter Ford. The almighty.
Reduced to nothing.
The love of my life? Gone.
My business? Crumbling. My whole damn life? Shattered.
And I swear, I’ve tried to keep it together. I’ve fought like hell to hold on. But I can’t anymore.
First, Anika.
Then Neo… he’s gone too. I begged Stefano, pleaded for just a little more time with him, but the bastàrd didn’t care.
His exact words? “Go fúck Jasmine harder if you want a child that bad.”
What a cruel, heartless son of a bítch.
And as if that wasn’t enough, my mother was poisoned with Wolfsbane. Fúcking Wolfsbane. We almost lost her.
It’s been a month, and she’s still fighting, slowly healing, thank the goddess.
“H…Hunter?”
Her weak voice slices through my spiraling thoughts.
My head jerks up, and I see her struggling to sit up. I’m on my feet instantly, rushing to help her ease back against the pillows.
“How are you feeling, Mum?”
“Of course I’m feeling good,” she says, her voice shaky as she forces a smile. “I mean, don’t I look it?”
Leaning back to my seat, I huff out a chuckle. “No, Mum. You don’t. You look like someone who’s been through hell and barely made it out.”
I expect her to chuckle too, but she doesn’t.
No word.
Just stares at me as if I’ve already pronounced her death sentence.
Then, out of nowhere, she bursts into laughter.
A loud, full-bellied laugh that makes my eyes widen.
For a second, I wonder if she’s finally lost her mind. But just as quickly, she stops.
“Wha.. What the hell was that, Mum?”
“That?,” she says with a smirk. “Just rehearsing the laugh I’ll let out the day Jasmine finally walks out of this house.” She exhales slowly, her face hardening. “I mean, I survived the death that bítch planned for me. If it hadn’t been for Maria knowing the cure for Wolfsbane poisoning, I… I would’ve been gone.”
“Yeah,” I say firmly. “But you’re not. You’re still here.”
Her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head. “Doesn’t mean I feel comforted.” A pause. Then, with a sharp look, she adds, “How about what we spoke about last week?”
I lean back in my chair. “We talked about a lot of things last week. You’ll need to be a little more specific.”
“Oh, come on, Son.” She frowns. “You know exactly what I mean. Jasmine needs to go. She’s a threat—she tried to kill me! You heard the doctor, didn’t you? That wench been feeding me poison for weeks! Who’s to say she hasn’t been doing the same to you?”
“She wouldn’t dare.” I let out a dry chuckle, though deep down I know she’s right.
Jasmine is poison.
But So is my mother.
And that’s the fucked-up part. I don’t even know why I keep siding with her. This woman tried to kill my ex-wife.
She tried to kill my unborn child!
She’s just as much of a threat as Jasmine.
The truth? They’re the same. Two sides of the same cursed coin.
But I’m not done with Mum yet. I still need her.
I’ll use her to get Anika back.
And when that day comes… I’ll discard her.
I lean forward, already trying to wrap this up. “Look, Mum, you need to—”
The door bursts open before I can finish.
Before I even turn my head, Jasmine’s high-pitched voice cuts through the room.
“How’s my wonderful mother-in-law doing?” she trills, strutting in like she owns the place. In seconds, she’s right beside me.
I scoff under my breath.
“How many times have I told you not to come into my room, you stupid bítch?” my mother snaps, her voice sharp with fury. “For the goddess’ sake, are you trying to kill me a second time?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Jasmine sighs dramatically, holding up the basket of fruit in her hands before setting it down on Beatrice’s shelf. “ I told you already that I didn’t do it. Stop throwing baseless accusations at me! Why would I want to kill you? You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me.” Her tone hardens, eyes narrowing. “Unless… someone out there is just trying to get revenge for your evil deeds.”
My mother’s eyes widen instantly, and I swear I can almost see her about to explode right there in front of us.
“Excuse me???!” She’s fuming now. “What the hell do you mean by that?”
“I’m not here to pick a fight, okay? I’m just here to be the caring daughter-in-law.” Jasmine replies before gesturing toward the basket with a sugary sweet tone. “Go on mum, have some fruits. They’ll make you stronger and—”
Before she can finish, Beatrice leans forward and, in one swift motion, sweeps her arm across the basket.
The entire thing crashes to the floor, fruit scattering and splitting open across the tiles.
Jeez. For a woman still recovering, I didn’t think she had that kind of strength left in her.
“W–what the hell, Beatrice?” Jasmine stammers, taking a step back. “I… I spent so much money on—”
“I never asked you to!” my mother snaps. “Now, get the fúck out!”
I shoot to my feet instantly. “Jasmine, go to my study. There’s something important we need to discuss.”
Her nostrils flare. She doesn’t bother answering me—just throws my mother a venomous glare before strutting out.
So much for the caring daughter-in-law act.
I turn back to Mum, who’s still trying to steady her breathing. “Hunter, I swear to the goddess—”
“It’s fine, Mum.” I cut her off quickly. “I have something to take care of. I’ll be back.”
And before she can get another word in, I walk out too.
I can’t help but feel the anger boiling in me as I head for my study.
At both of them.
But mostly at Mum. She’s the reason I’m knee-deep in this mess, and one day…she’s going to pay for it.
I reach the study, knowing Jasmine’s already inside waiting. My hand closes around the knob, but just as I’m about to push it open, a sound stops me.
Her voice.
“Yeah, you did a fúcking good job!”Jasmine’s laughter rings out, loud and victorious, like someone who just hit the damn jackpot. “I’m so impressed. It was clean and neat. You don’t have to worry, I’ll wire you the money soon into—”
My head spins. What?
I shove the door open before she can finish, the wood slamming hard against the hinges with a thunderous crack.