It was still hard for Marcus to think that his dad never got to meet any of his grandchildren. They continued telling stories about him, remembering the good times and ignoring the bad. Not that there were many of the latter. His dad had been a wonderful husband and father, and he would have been a doting grandfather. Marcus said nothing about Sally, although thoughts of her recent strange behaviour flitted through his mind. But then the conversation shifted and they talked about how much their dad had loved Bree.
It saddened Marcus to think that two people he loved so much had both gone. It didn’t get any easier as they all, including himself, shared stories about her and how much they all cared about her.
They didn’t talk about her every time they got together, but when they did, despite the grief the conversation revived, in many ways, talking about her brought him much happiness. It was comforting to know that he wasn’t the only one who missed her.
“Hey, how’s John doing?” Jason asked, after a few moments of silence had passed.
Marcus smiled gratefully, aware that he’d changed the topic of conversation on purpose. “He’s doing really well. Retired in Florida.”
“Florida?”
“Yes, he has family in the States and decided to head there. After we bought Quantum Solutions, he started another small firm and sold that one as well. He’s a great businessman, but he’s better at buying and selling businesses than running them,” Marcus said with a laugh.
He was still so thankful to the man who’d given him such a great start. John O’Malley was a brilliant man, but it was true that he didn’t always know how to scale his businesses and take them to the next level. That was Marcus’s forté. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was glad he’d gotten the opportunity to build Quantum Solutions and make it what it was now.
“I heard about the newest contract. Congratulations, big brother,” Ebony said with respect in her voice. Marcus thanked her, still feeling the glow of pride for what his firm had accomplished with the latest project. It was the coup of the year.
“You know, you’re probably one of the richest men in Sydney,” she added.
He nodded. It was true. In fact, he knew exactly which number he ranked. Not because he kept track of it, but because some of the local business magazines announced the rankings each year. “But money isn’t everything. I’d trade it all to have Bree back.”
Ebony nodded sadly. She knew how much he missed her.
Marcus and his family continued conversing, but the ache in his heart remained. Would it ever ease? Would he ever be able to talk about Bree without this heaviness weighing him down?
The thought of going to the ball with Tiffany felt like a betrayal to Bree. She still held his heart, even though she was no longer here.
When it came time to leave, there were hugs and kisses all round. They’d already said goodnight to the kids who were now in bed. It was always difficult to leave. Although Ebony and Jason were far from rich, they were rich in other ways, ways that were far more important. They had each other, and they were raising three beautiful children. These were things that money couldn’t buy. It was sometimes difficult for Marcus to not be envious.
“Did you have a nice time?” his mother asked quietly after he pulled away from the house and his sleek BMW purred down the freeway.
“Of course. Did you?”
“I had a great time. I always do. They’re such a lovely family. And I’m glad the breadsticks were enough,” she said, chuckling.
Marcus gave her a smile and then focused on the road ahead, his thoughts still with Bree. Lord, I miss her so much. You know that. Please help me to see the way forward.
Chapter 9
Pulling into Steve’s driveway always made Tiffany feel sick to her stomach. Anytime she had to see her ex-husband, it was too much. Anytime she had to think about him, it was too much. But since he was the father of her children, she tried to ignore her anxiety and anger and not speak ill of him in front of Polly and Mike. But inside, she always felt as if she were falling apart.
His house was nicer than hers. She didn’t know how he could afford the trendy home in the fashionable suburb of Rose Bay when he wasn’t even working. She held down a full-time job yet struggled to pay the rent on a two-bedroom duplex in Newtown. Not that it was a competition, but she wanted to prove that she could take care of the kids better than he could. Nevertheless, every time she saw his home, she felt bitter at the unfairness of it all.
The kids raced to see who could reach the door first, and this time, Mike won, meaning he got to ring the doorbell. Polly pouted because she lost, but when Steve opened the door, they were both full of smiles again.
Although Steve made very little effort to interact with the children, they both scrambled for his attention. Mike wanted to show what a strong boy he was, and Polly wanted to climb onto his lap for safety and protection. Things Tiffany believed every child should have.
Yet Steve offered neither.
He let the children into the house while Tiffany stood outside to speak with him on the porch.
Leaning against the door frame, his hair was scruffy as if he’d just woken up. He was also carrying more weight than the last time she’d seen him.
He was close enough for her to smell that he was sober, one of the rules of their visits. In truth, she was far more gracious with him than she needed to be. But he knew that if he was drunk when she arrived with the kids, she’d take them away immediately and he might never see them again.
For Steve, the visits weren’t so much about spending time with the kids. They were just another method of control. A reminder to Tiffany that he still had rights over some parts of her life.
“I’ll be back at four,” she confirmed.
“Got it,” he said, turning to go inside.
“That’s not all.”
Stopping, he turned to face her, rolling his eyes and sighing. This was how he played, this part of him that acted like a teenage boy who didn’t want to listen to his mother. She rolled her eyes in reply to let him know she understood his game.
She drew a deep breath and braced herself for his reaction to what she was about to ask of him. “I’ve been caring for the kids without asking you for anything, but that needs to change. Mike wants to play football at school this term, and the fees and uniform aren’t cheap. You need to get a job and start paying child support,” she said bluntly, not caring to sugarcoat the reality.
He scoffed. “Child support? You want that from me now? You’ve not needed it before, so why do you suddenly need it now?” He stood over her like he used to, but she held her ground.
“I just told you why. It’s not for me, Steve. It’s for your son. Your son who wants you to be proud of him and to see him as a strong young man. He wants to play sports and it’s unfair because I can’t afford it without your help. It’s time you stepped up and fulfilled your role as their father.” Tiffany’s heart pounded, but she was determined to remain firm. The fear she used to feel when she stood up to him had been far worse when they were together. He knew that if he tried anything now, he would never see the kids again and he would have no more power over her.
But it didn’t stop her from feeling sick. Standing firm in front of Steve had never been easy and would never be.
His lips twisted and he shifted closer. Close enough for her to see the broken capillaries on his face. Her stomach knotted, but she didn’t flinch. A cruel smile twisted his face. “If you think having a job is so important, then why don’t you go out and get a second one? You wanted full custody and I agreed. That means you cover the costs.”
Her blood boiled, but she couldn’t allow Steve to see that he’d upset her. She had to restrain herself and maintain control or he’d know he’d wounded her all over again, and she didn’t want that. She pursed her lips. “Right. I suppose we always knew what you’re worth. Nothing.” The insult landed, but she was beyond relief when he clenched his fists in restraint instead of threat.
; She didn’t want him to grow angry since the kids would be with him the rest of the day, so she held her tongue. “I’ll be back at four.” Turning, she strode down the pathway to her car.
The door banged behind her and she could hear the kids laughing as he entered. They were excited to spend time with him. Tears welled in her eyes. It irked her so much, because he didn’t deserve their love. One day they’d see him for what he was—a selfish, arrogant bully. But for now, they loved him. And as long as he didn’t mistreat them, she needed to allow them to see him.
Despite everything, Tiffany now had a semblance of peace in her life. Leaving him had been the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she and the kids were far better off without him. Whatever insults or demands he might throw at her now couldn’t affect her unless she let them.
But sometimes she still felt pathetic for not leaving before she did. How could she have endured so many years of being put down and manipulated by him? And how could she have put her children through it all? Even though he’d never hit them, they knew he hit her. What kind of a mother would allow them to witness that? Bile clogged her throat at the memories.
She got into her car and blew out several large breaths. Steve’s response shouldn’t have surprised her. She’d figure something out. One way or another, she’d manage to get Mike his boots.
After calming herself, she drove to one of the charity shops she liked to visit whenever she needed a new outfit. This time, she hoped they might have shoes to go with her dress. Her mother had given her a snippet of the fabric so she could colour match, but she was considering a contrasting colour as well. It all depended on what the store had in stock. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.
When she arrived at the store, she was pleased to find they had several good options. In the end, she decided on a pair of silver pumps and a pair of elegant chandelier earrings. If ever there was an occasion to look her best, this ball was it. Although the total cost was reasonable, a wave of guilt flooded her as she paid for them.
How could she spend money on herself when she couldn’t afford her son’s football fees? How could she indulge in shoes and jewelry when she should be buying boots for Mike? For a brief moment, she considered putting both back.
“Great choices,” the store clerk commented, looking at Tiffany with excitement as she laid the items on the counter. “Do you have somewhere fun you’re going to?”
Tiffany blinked and gave a weak smile. “Yes, I do.” Although she wasn’t so sure it would be fun. More like eye opening.
“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful,” the girl said with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” Tiffany replied graciously, but as she walked out of the store, she continued to debate with herself whether she should return the items. Perhaps she shouldn’t be going to the ball at all. Had she made a mistake in accepting Marcus’s invitation?
Although everything was sorted, no matter how hard she tried not to, she still worried about attending the ball with him, and now, here was another reason not to go.
She released a small breath. No, she’d told Marcus she’d go, and it was too late to change her mind. She’d go to the ball with him. It could be awkward and maybe even uncomfortable, but she’d go anyway. It would be good for her to get out of her comfort zone for once. Accompanying a handsome, rich man to a glitzy ball, surrounded by wealthy, exciting people? Surely she was allowed one evening of indulgence.
With that thought, she tossed her bag of goods into the car and indulged in one more extravagance by pulling into a drive-thru, where she ordered a frozen coffee drink. Normally, she preferred it simple, hot, and with nothing more than a little cream. But today she felt like something sugary and different, figuring she deserved it.
She sat in the car park and drank the coffee while enjoying the peace and quiet, but all too soon it was over. It was time to get the kids.
Chapter 10
It had been a busy morning and Marcus was looking forward to a break. The contract with Money Solutions was taking a great deal of time to finalise, and while it was going to be a great partnership, he was exhausted from looking at numbers.
Deciding he needed some fresh air he told his secretary he was going out. It was a pleasant day, warm but not hot, and the breeze was refreshing on his face. As he walked briskly along the footpath, his thoughts turned to his mum and how he wished she could still enjoy walks like this.
But then, out of nowhere, someone crashed into him from behind, nearly knocking him over. Regaining his balance before he hit the ground, he straightened and checked to see who had pushed into him.
He let out a groan. Sally. “Oh. Hi,” he said, rather flatly.
Her arms were full of files. “Mark, I am so, so sorry! Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she asked with concern dripping from her voice. A few spectators gathered around to watch the scene. Marcus felt a deep sense of discomfort and just a little annoyance.
It was late for her to be taking a lunch break, plus, there was no reason whatsoever for her to be carrying files outside the office building. What was she doing with them?
But he wasn’t surprised. She seemed to be everywhere of late. He was beginning to question his own sanity and wondered if she was stalking him. That’s what it was beginning to feel like.
“Sally, what files are those?” he asked bluntly.
She frowned and then looked down. “These?”
“Yes. Those.”
“Well, I’m having a super busy day, but I needed to get a quick bite. My position in the company keeps me really busy so I thought I’d do some work while I ate.”
Marcus couldn’t help but sense that all of this was a lie and Sally was carrying those files for no other reason than to look important, and bumping into him was another way to get his attention. “You know there’s a cafeteria in the building. On days when you’re very busy, it might be a good idea to eat there. It’ll save time if you don’t have to leave the building.”
For a moment, she looked like a frightened deer stunned by headlights before she replied. “The cafeteria doesn’t have a lot of options for someone with gluten intolerance.”
“Yes, they do. My secretary has a gluten intolerance, Sally. Quite a severe one, actually. She eats at the cafeteria most days.”
He couldn’t figure her out. He knew that Sally hadn’t fully gotten over the trauma of having killed his father; that she regretted using her phone and letting it distract her while she was driving. He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that causing his father’s death had affected her life. But that was no excuse for this strange behaviour. If she really ran into him on purpose, as he suspected, then things were starting to go too far.
“Well, I guess I should try the cafeteria again,” she finally answered.
“Yes, I recommend it,” he replied. “Have a nice day, Sally. And please bear in mind that we’re legally bound to keep those files at the office for the sake of privacy. I suggest you head back right now and put them away and grab something to eat at the office.”
She blinked nervously. “That’s a really good idea. I was craving Thai food, though.”
Marcus took two steps when he stopped again. He’d been planning to go to the nearest Thai restaurant. Had Sally been on her way to the same place? “Thai? You were after a Thai meal?”
“Yeah, you know the place on the next block? They have great food and the prices are reasonable.” She let out a chuckle. “Not that that would worry you. Would you like to join me?”
He couldn’t tell her that was where he’d been heading, but he was unwilling to lie. Quickly, he changed plans. “Sorry, I have a meeting soon, so I’m just grabbing a quick take-away from around the corner. But don’t you think the Thai restaurant is a little far given you’re in a rush?”
She shrugged and changed the topic. “How are your plans for the charity ball coming along?”
Marcus froze but managed a polite smile. “I’m going with a friend of mine.”
“Oh real
ly? That’s great. A good friend?”
“A friend, Sally. Now, I have to insist that you return those files to the office immediately. If you’re caught leaving with them again, your boss will have to issue a formal reprimand. Have a nice day.” He nodded and strode away before she could continue the conversation.
He didn’t like being rude, but it seemed she didn’t understand him when he was polite. In the future, he would have to be firmer and make his point more insistently.
Although the rest of the day passed in a flash, Marcus still managed to get home early as planned. He was hosting an event at his house for the youth of the church, and while not formally one of the youth group leaders, he tried to be involved in a lot of the activities which he also often funded.
The youth program at his church was wonderful. The leaders were truly committed to helping the young people grow into mature Christians who sought after Jesus. Rather than simply preaching about purity, the leaders taught them to seek Jesus above all else. Rather than only preaching about avoiding drugs, they offered them a way of doing that by placing their focus on living for Jesus and allowing Him to fill any void in their lives.
Once every quarter, Marcus opened his estate to the group. They could swim in the Olympic-sized pool complete with slides and water features, play tennis on the full-size courts, or hang out on his jetty. His yacht was out of bounds, although he occasionally took a number of the youth on it during the summer.
The kids loved the opportunity to go to the Alcott Estate and he was glad to have them.
He covered the cost of catering for these quarterly events. He’d learned early on that catering for youth was quite different than catering for adults, and rather than spending a fortune on small, fancy garnishes, he could order a few dozen pizzas and the kids were thrilled.
“You’ve pulled it off again,” his friend David said, handing him a soft drink while they stood watching the forty plus kids enjoying themselves in the pool.
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 16
