FORCED TOGETHER.

Betty’s POV

My heart was racing as I stood at Larry's mansion's entrance. "Megan, you and Liam are moving in here," he added, his piercing eyes never leaving me Beginning today.

My mouth quivered. "Listen, Larry, I can not; this life and this place are not mine. I don't fit in here.”

His voice was firm but chilly. He folded his arms across his chest. “It has nothing to do with your desires. It has to do with safety. You and Liam will remain in my house. I will not expose my son to danger.” his words lacked emotion or any form of tenderness as he meant to.

"Safety? Liam and I were doing just fine before you came along.?

He clenched his jaw. "Don't deceive yourself. You are powerless to turn me away. He is my son. My blood. This is where he belongs.”

His words were like chains pressing down on me. Unaware of the turmoil between us, Liam was playing with his toy car by my side when I turned to face him. My chest hurt. I suppressed my pride and refrained from screaming.

"All right," I said, my voice cracking. "We'll remain. But I won't be your puppet. Larry's eyes grew gloomy; he simply turned and pointed to the servants. "Get their rooms ready."

The mansion's initial days were a torment. The floors were too shiny, the walls too large, and there were too many restrictions.

"Avoid talking to the staff unless it's necessary.”

"The dining hall is where meals are served. No exclusions.”

I couldn't get Larry's voice out of my brain.

One morning, I sat at the large dining table and picked at my breakfast. Larry set a dish in front of Liam, who was sitting next to me, his countenance brightened. Larry's voice was quieter than I had ever heard him say, "Eat well, son."

Liam smiled. "Thank you, Daddy."

My heart twisted. That word had never been used by Liam before, but it now came out so naturally.

In fact, Larry smiled. "Are the pancakes to your liking?"Indeed! "They're superior to Mommy's," Liam chuckled. I disguised the sting in my chest by forcing a smile. "I'm glad you like them, my love."

Larry's eyes were unreadable when he looked at me. "Megan, you don't have to compete with me. He deserves us both. I gripped my fork tightly."Stop pretending to care. When I needed you, you were nowhere to be found. There was silence at the table. Confused, Liam looked between us before returning to his meal. The tension hung like a storm cloud, but Larry remained silent.

I woke up in the guest room at night and stared at the ceiling. It was a prison, this mansion.

Additionally, the warden was Larry.

The following day, the storm arrived. Larry stormed into my room with the pictures in his hand and a thunderous look. He forcefully placed them on the table.

"Megan, what is this?" he shouted.

I snatched one up and blinked, my hands trembling. It was me standing so close, too close to a man I barely recognized, his hands wrapped around me, my head resting on his chest. He was a neighbour from several months prior.

"In possible!” I chuckled in disbelief. Larry's eyes pierced my own. "Don't act surprised, I thought you’d changed.” He shook his head disappointingly.

“You’re a mother now, respect yourself.”

“la..rry..Larry I..I..I don’t know what this is..it’s not me.” My voice broke, I marbled my words betray. He cuts me short.

“I know a leopard never changes its spots, but at least don’t do it in front of our son, have some decency.”

“Larry!! Listen to me, it's not what you think, and it's not even me. Believe me, please, Larry.”

He tightened his hands at his sides. "Then describe this." He thrust another picture in my face.

My vision was obscured by tears. "I was set up by someone. Do you not see that?

Larry's tone became icier. "A convenient justification. Do you believe that I am a fool?

“Daddy?” The tiny sound of Liam's voice came from the doorway. Holding his stuffed animal,he wandered in. Between us, his huge eyes flashed. "Daddy? Are you and mommy fighting?"

I hurried to kneel before him. "Don't worry, sweetie. Go back to your room.”

However, Larry moved in closer, his face just inches away from me, staring deep into my eyes like he was searching for the truth.

"Megan, I want to believe you, but you will have to tell me the truth.” His words came out almost like a whisper, but emotionless.

I breathed shakily, my chest rising and falling. "All I've ever done for these few years is fight to keep Liam safe. Besides, I am not so irresponsible as to be so loose in front of my son! Neither was I ever to lose Larry.”

His expression softened for a time. A glimmer of movement from the hallway. Head peeped through the half-open door was Damien. He was lurking in the dark, listening, and smiling, in fact, enjoying the mayhem.

“Damien?...”