Chapter 60: His new step-mother—-The End

MARK’S POV.

My dad was furious but frankly I didn't give a fuck. I and Linda were standing at the bus stop hand in hand with a small suitcase filled with clothes and necessary toiletries. Yes my dad kicked I and Linda out of the house and frankly I do not care because I had been planning on how to break his and Linda's relationship but he came along and did it himself to my surprise and delight.

It all occurred this morning when I called up my dad.

(Flashback to morning )

"Dad we need to talk." I told my dad as soon as he picked up the call.

"I am busy at this moment Mark" He said indifferently as always.

"I don't care, I called to tell you that Linda won't be going anywhere." I said with force.

"She doesn't have a choice she will come here and that's final. I'm sure the ungrateful thing put you up to it." He said in such a demeaning and dismissive voice.

“Why do you treat Linda like a possession?” I said my voice sharp.

A beat of silence, then a low scoff came from him. “Excuse me?”

“You talk about her like she’s a trophy you bought. Not a person, not your wife. She's your equal."

"Equal?" He laughed like I had thrown a joke.

“I gave her a better life, Mark,” he said flatly. “She was nothing before me. A struggling orphan with no future. No family. I saved her.”

My jaw clenched as I tried to control my anger. “No. You saw a vulnerable girl 17 years younger than you and decided to own her.”

“She should be grateful,” my dad snapped. “Most women would kill to live in a house like mine, wear what she wears, be taken care of.”

“She didn’t marry you for your money. She married you because she didn’t think she had any other choice. That’s not love. That’s survival.”

My dad's voice rose. “I won’t be insulted in my own house..”

“You’re not in your house, Dad,” I interrupted. “And Linda’s not your prisoner. She’s not obligated to be silent just because you gave her a ring and some designer clothes.”

My father’s tone turned cold. “She’ll come to Toronto. Immediately. Or I’ll make her life hell.”

I didn’t even hesitate. “We’re not coming. Goodbye.”

And then I hung up.

That night, Linda curled up beside me on the couch, barefoot, legs tucked beneath her, her head was resting against my shoulders.

“You okay?” I asked while brushing a rouge strand of hair back from her face.

She nodded slowly. “I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that.”

I couldn't help but smile. “You deserve it.”

Linda looked up at me, her green eyes shimmering. “You don’t think I’m… weak?”

“Linda,” I said softly, “you’ve survived more than most people could imagine. That’s not weakness. That’s strength.”

She blinked, lips parting slightly. “I used to dream of being a painter. When I was little. But dreams didn’t mean much in foster care. They were like clouds, pretty, but too far to hold.”

I took her hand in mine. “You could still do it, you definitely should take it up again.”

She laughed under her breath. “What? Become some mysterious artist living in a quiet town with an easel sitting by the window?”

I grinned. “Yeah. I’ll build you a studio. And we’ll paint together. You’ll draw, and I’ll… I don’t know. Stretch canvas and bring snacks.”

Linda turned toward me fully, her expression softening. “You really mean that?”

“Every word.” I assured her, my voice low as a whisper.

Then I kissed her.

It wasn’t hungry or rushed like before. It was slow and sweet. The kind of kiss that tasted like honesty and long-held feelings finally finding a way to speak.

She melted into me, her arms wrapping around my neck, her lips tender and warm against his. There was no fear in the moment, just plain relief and a feeling of belonging. Like we had both been holding our breaths for too long.

Eventually, we curled up on the bed, with arms around each other.

A bucket of ice-cold water exploded across the mattress.

I jolted upright, soaked, gasping. Linda shrieked beside me, coughing and clutching the blanket to her chest.

And standing at the foot of the bed, fury in his eyes and an empty silver bucket in his hand, was my father.

“What the hell?” I shouted while wiping water from my face.

My father’s voice thundered. “You disgusting little bastard! I knew something was going on!”

Linda shrank back in fear, drenched and trembling.

“You seduced my son,” Dad growled at her. “You manipulative little...”

“Don’t talk to her like that!” I exploded, standing between them. “She didn’t seduce anyone okay, it was all me , I kissed her. I wanted her.”

Dad's eyes narrowed. “You’re defending her?”

“I’m telling the truth,” I said my voice shaking with rage. “You don’t get to control her anymore.”

“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Dad spat. “She’s my wife!”

“And you treated her like a possession,” I shot back at him. “She’s not yours to own.”

My father pointed toward the hallway. “Then both of you get out of my house. You’re cut off.”

I took Linda’s hand in mine. “Fine. We’ll go.”

“You think you’ll survive out there without me?” He sneered. “No money. No support. You’ll come crawling back. And do you think she will still be with you then.”

“I’m on scholarship. I’ve got savings. I’ll be just fine.” I said meeting my father's gaze head on.

“Let’s go,” I said turning to Linda with my palm outstretched. She nodded and placed her hand in mine choosing me.