Chapter 23
Jess's POV
I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mother so worked up before. She’s always so calm and collected, a stark contrast to me.
I must’ve inherited my hot temper and impulsiveness from my father. But when she called me earlier today, sounding so off, I got worried. I thought maybe she’d gotten into an accident or something terrible had happened.
I had to find a way to get rid of Kylie, and what better way than to send her to Maximus' parents' house?
I knew he’d be too swamped to make time for her today. I was relieved when he took her to his company the other day; at least that meant I didn’t have to play the babysitter.
I could go shopping and spend the day at the spa with my friends, which is always a blast. But every time I come back home, I’m reminded that I have a family, and it makes me feel a little bit depressed.
I’m not ready for motherhood, but I don’t have a choice. I want to enjoy my time with Maximus, but it feels like the universe has other plans for me.
Giving birth to Kylie wasn’t part of my plan. I thought I’d have a few more years before I was ready for a child.
My mother never really warms up to Kylie. She says she’s too quiet and shy, and that she doesn’t have any of my personality traits, even though Kylie looks just like me. But my father, on the other hand, adores her.
I snap out of my thoughts when the car comes to a stop. The driver gets out and opens the door for me.
Making my way into my parent's house, the servants who are present stop whatever they are doing as they see me. They greet me, but I don’t respond. They’re all the same—whispering behind my back whenever I’m not around. They seem to like Selene more than me.
“I came here as fast as I could. Tell me, Mother, are you hurt anywhere? What about Father? Talk to me, you’re looking so pale,” I say, my voice filled with worry.
I touch her face, and she jolts in shock, her eyes wide when she sees me.
“My mind’s been in chaos for a while now. I wanted to call you a few days ago, but I didn’t know how to even tell you,” she responds, looking distant.
My heart races as I hear her words. “You’re scaring me, Mum. You told me you were going to the hospital a few days ago. Don’t tell me you’re dying, Mother. I don’t want to lose you. How bad is it? Please, say something.”
I shake her a little, panic rising in me. I’m truly scared.
She gently removes my hands, making me sit down beside her. Her gaze is intense, and it makes me nervous. How bad could the results have been?
I can’t believe I’ve been so caught up with Maximus that I didn’t even ask her how her check-up went. The fact that she looks so pale and panicked worries me. I don’t think it was good news. I’ve never seen her look this way before, and it’s scaring me. I just hope whatever sickness she’s dealing with is curable.
“No, Jess, I’m not sick. I’m as healthy and strong as an ox, and I’ll be around for a long time,” she reassures me, but her tone doesn’t match the words. “I did go to a hospital, but it wasn’t for my regular check-up.”
I try to breathe, but her next words make my heart race even more. “I saw her, Jess. You should have seen how arrogant she looked. How sophisticated Selene, your step-sister, was. She claims that she wasn’t Selene. Her colleague called her Dr. Andrea, but I know what I saw.”
I don’t know exactly what she’s driving at, but I become annoyed instantly. The mention of Selene’s name grates on my nerves.
"That woman is Selene. She’s not telling me otherwise. You’re right, Jess. She’s back, and of all the cities, she chose this one," my mother says with a tone of certainty.
I frown, feeling a tight knot in my stomach. So my suspicions are right. Selene is back in this city, and Maximus knows about it. He hides it from me.
What if they’re having an affair? What if they’ve already met up? I can feel the tension rising. That explains his sudden distance and the changes in his behavior. I didn’t think it was because of his ex-wife, though.
Maximus is really digging his grave if he thinks I’m going to sit back and let him get back together with that gold-digging b. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.
My frustration builds as I speak, my words sharp and biting. "What did she say? Did she threaten you, Mother? Tell me, so I can go confront that little slut. I'm the wife of a billionaire with connections all over this city, and if I want Selene's hospital shut down, I can make it happen." I massage my temples, feeling the pressure rise.
Selene has always had this effect on me, and I hate it. She always knows how to get under my skin. I turn fully to my mother, taking her hands in mine.
"We need to be smart about this, Mother. I lost Maximus once because of my own stupidity, and I’m not going to make that mistake again."
I feel a cold determination settle in. "I would rather die than let Selene take him from me. You know I can’t stand sharing what's mine, and I never lose. Especially not to someone like her. Maybe it’s time I paid my step-sister a little visit."
My mother shakes her head, but I can see the worry in her eyes.
I furrow my brows, confused. I thought my mother would be thrilled by my plan, but instead, she looks disappointed.
Why the hell is she so scared of Selene? It’s not like she has any real power against us. Selene is nothing compared to the Hemsworth family and our wealth. With me being Maximus’ wife, carrying the Hemsworth name, I should be untouchable.
I can’t understand her hesitation.
She sighs deeply, her expression hardening. "Doing that would be a stupid move. She would think we are scared of her, and that would make her even more arrogant than she already is. We need to come up with a smarter plan—one to take her down, permanently. And by that, I mean getting rid of her forever."