Chapter 26: Even Love Has Limits
Chapter 26: Even Love Has Limits
Renee’s POV
“At that point.. I couldn’t hold back…” Marlene let out the same squeaky laughter I remember so well.
I dabbed the corner of my lips with my napkin, laughter spilling out of me far easier than I expected.
Marlene wiped her mouth too, adjusting her pearls. “I had fun tonight. Honestly, I haven’t laughed like this with anyone in years.”
I smiled politely. “If I remember correctly, you have a son right? What about his wife? Surely you both do have fun moments like this often?”
“Ohh.. no,” she answered without hesitation, rolling her eyes. “Actually, Sarah used to be fun to hang out with when she was dating my son…” She swirled her wine. “But ever since the wedding? God… she’s become so bland. All she does now is redecorate and organize furniture.”
My heart tightened.
‘Dating…’ I thought ‘perhaps you should have planned on stealing someone else’s husband, you old hag.’
Marlene continued, oblivious. “If you had come into Clark’s life earlier… maybe I would have ended up with a fun, elegant daughter-in-law… not a boring one pretending to be perfect.”
My jaw clenched so hard I felt it in my temples.
‘How ironic… So the same woman you looked down on… the same girl you laughed at… is suddenly worthy because she’s shiny now?’ I thought
I forced a smile. “Ohh my world.. look at the time… It’s getting late.”
The passing server stopped, and I motioned for the bill. Marlene finished the last of her wine with a soft sigh.
“You know…” she drawled, eyes glinting, “I think you should meet my son one of these days. You’re not married, are you?”
I blinked slowly. “Isn’t your son married?”
Marlene laughed like I was the silliest thing alive.
“One can always get an annulment you know.”
My blood boiled… but my posture stayed elegant. I’d mastered pretending before I even showed up
“As tempting as the offer might be, I’m sorry I’ll pass,” I said coolly. “I don’t break homes.”
She leaned forward. “Would you consider him if he was divorced?”
I almost choked. The audacity.
“Perhaps,” I murmured, because manipulation sometimes required crumbs not silence.
The server serving us returned. Marlene reached for the check, but I slid it away and placed down a black card.
Her eyes widened. “Is that… is that a black card?” She stuttered
I smiled sweetly. “Oh yeah… One of my father’s.”
The shift in her expression was instant…respect, surprise, greed, calculation.
Perfect.
“Done ma’am..” the server returned my card.
“Shall we,” I asked Marlene
We walked out together while still hosting. I stopped beside my Porsche, touched my automatic key and the car headlights blurred to life. She stared.
“This… is yours?” she breathed, finding it hard to believe...
“One of them actually,” I replied casually.
Her envy was becoming so loud I could almost taste it.
We said goodbye, and I slipped into my car. The moment I turned on my phone, it buzzed nonstop.
But before I could check the incoming messages, a call came in.
Lydia.
I didn’t hesitate in answering, ready to squeal about how perfectly the dinner went.
“Ma’am… your fiancé… he's been calling you. Then he called me and I couldn’t help it.. I told him your whereabouts.”
My smile evaporated.
“Crap!” I swore..
I instantly hung up and tried to dial Andrew’s line
The next notification popped up made me abandon that plan:
“Dinner tonight. Your father’s joining us. Make something special.”
My stomach dropped.
“Shit.”
I kicked my ignition on and sped into the street
I drove like i was in a street racing, because the only thing my eyes were on was the road.
We just got back and here I am causing Andy stress.
I didn’t stop until I got to the gate.. i hunked for the security at the gate who rushed out and drew the gate open.
I couldn’t even wait for it to be fully open i slipped in missing the security guy by inches.
By the time I rushed into the living room, breathless and still wearing my coat, everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
Andrew sat on the couch, jaw tight. My father sat beside him… expression unreadable.
“Oh my God… i… I’m so sorry,” I blurted out. “I was having dinner with Marlene then I lost track of time and…”
Andrew stood. Not a word. Not a glance. Just a cold distance I’d never felt from him… not once even with our issues.
He walked past me, up the stairs.
No look.
No touch.
Nothing.
Silence hurts worse than yelling.
I turned to my father.
“Dad, please…”
He lifted a hand and I shut up instantly.
“You are so unbelievably Renee… you keep playing with fire, mmmt you don’t realize it.” His voice was quiet, disappointed. “That boy loves you. Even the blind can see it. But even love has limits.”
My chest tightened painfully.