Chapter 22
Upon hearing this, Axell was not happy.
The private room was crowded and lively.
When Marcus entered, the crowd rose as one.“Hey, Marcus!”
Marcus nodded, gesturing for them to carry on, then made a beeline for the center sofa.
Settling in, he crossed his long legs and lit a cigarette.
Fletcher noticed the storm clouds on his face.
He asked, “What’s eating you? Rare for you to join us for fun. Why do you
Marcus was thinking of Bertha.
That kiss had thrown his thoughts into chaos.
Marcus deflected, asking, “How’s Galen holding up?”
Galen was Fletcher’s nephew.
look unhappy?”
Fletcher sighed, “I went to the hospital this afternoon. He was sleeping. My sister said he had another episode today, even bolting from the ward and throwing a fit on the main road.
Luckily, a girl with medical knowledge stopped him. How’s Casper doing?”
Marcus flicked the ashes off.“Same as always.”
Fletcher clapped his shoulder.”Don’t lose hope. Kason says there’s a real chance for miracles with mental llnesses. They’re still kids. Maybe they’ll beat it when they grow up.”
Marcus smoked in silence.
Galen’s trauma stemmed from kidnapping, but Casper’s disorder ran deeper.
It was a fixation on his mother that festered like an open wound.
Galen might heal if he conquered his fears.
But Casper… Without finding his birth mother, his condition would only deteriorate, a slow erosion of the soul.
Fletcher leaned in, waggling his eyebrows.
“Wait, you smell like women’s perfume. Got a lady in your life?”
As a known playboy, Fletcher had a nose for such things.
Marcus tensed, scowl deepening.“No.”
“Don’t lie. That’s women’s perfume. Fruity, unique… like a limited edition.
“Must cost a fortune. The woman who wears it isn’t just anyone.
“Which socialite finally melted the ice? You’ve turned women away for years. What’s her secret? Is she really
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special?”
Fletcher knew Marcus too well. In that guarded heart, there was only Casper’s birth mother, a woman he’d waited for unswervingly all these years.
Countless women had thrown themselves at him, but not one had breached his defenses.
Brenda had more access than most, yet even she hadn’t managed to cling to him.
Marcus’s expression turned stormy.
Images flashed through his mind: Bertha standing on tiptoe, one arm looped around his neck, the other
anking his tie as she kissed him.
Fletcher studied him in silence, choosing not to press.
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I know you cared deeply for Casper’s mother,” he said gently, “but let’s be real, who knows if she’s even alive? Or if she’s remarried.
What if she had a husband and kids, a happy family? Could he really tear that apart?”
There are other ways to repay a debt, Marcus. You don’t have to destroy yourself for it.”
He paused, voice dropping.“While you’ve been faithful, she might be in another man’s arms right now.”
Marcus gave him a cold stare.
letcher chuckled.
Easy, man, it’s just a hypothetical,” Fletcher cajoled.“You should live a little. After all, you’ve had a taste before. Six years is a long time. Are you sure you no longer crave women?”
Marcus dropped cigarette ashes into the ashtray. “I’m not like you.”
letcher guffawed. “I was worried it might rust from disuse.”
More like you’re worried about your own overuse.”
Don’t worry. I have good kidneys.”
Before Marcus could retort, his phone buzzed. It was Phillip.
His voice was tight as he said, “Sir, Mr. Casper refuses dinner again. He hasn’t eaten a bite, and I’m concerned
for his health.”
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