The Royal Contract

It would have been easier if all of the faults fell on his father’s lap. Instead, he only had his mother to condemn for his misery because she was the one who had put him in this position.

“You see, my mother had a relationship with my father. A long time before Haley’s father married her mom, back in the days.” He narrated what he could remember of the story.

But apparently, his mother never loved his biological father and only used him for his money and power. She used her charm and cunning abilities to fool his father, making him fall for her while she was also involved in another relationship.

After discovering this, Mr. Rosley severed his ties with his mother and never acknowledged him as his son, believing she cheated on him. But his mother never gave up her claim that he was his son, so she pursued it.

“But not because she wanted me to have a father, but because she wanted the money that should belong to me.” Marcus smiled, but it was not because he was happy. But because he remembered the cruelty of his mother. The insanity of it all.

His lovely mother never cared about his well-being. His ambitious mother only wanted money, the glitz, and the glamour. She needed to maintain her social status, and she used him as her key to the pot of gold.

.....

“I am so sorry to hear that.” Her face registered surprise, which he understood. He had never told anyone about this. Although, Alex did figure it out since they had been friends for a long time.

It was one of the reasons he was more at ease spending time with his friend and his family because they treated him more like a family, comparing his relationship with them to his biological mother.

When his mother proved that he was his son, she demanded a lump sum of money and additional allowance to provide for his need. Next thing, his mother shifted him to boarding school. In consolation, he had money to spend but no family to belong to, but fortunately, he survived.

“I never wanted anything to do with all of them. I only wanted to be left alone. So, when I graduated, I worked hard and earned my own money.” He had Alex to thank for allowing him to show his worth and taking him under his wings.

“I avoided any contact with Haley and her father. I also cut ties with my mother.” He explained why he never bothered mentioning his parents to her because they were never worth mentioning.

“But Haley did not deserve that.” Suddenly, Jacky voiced out her disapproval of his action. “I think it is unfair for Haley to bear the punishment for your parents’ misdeed.”

He could understand her sentiment. He also sometimes felt guilty that he had included Haley in his attempt to distance himself from his family.

But it was a necessary evil he had to do for his sanity. At least Haley had a family who loved her. But he had none. He was alone, fighting for survival until he met his friend and adopted him.

“I assure you I did not do it on purpose.” But no matter how he tried to explain it even to himself, he knew it was wrong.

He had seen how Haley tried to approach him in the past, happy to learn that she had an older brother. But he kept pushing her away until finally, she had stopped trying.

But lately, when their paths had crossed again, she tried to reach out again to him. But he avoided her. Then, she thought that using Jacky would finally open an opportunity for them to have a relationship. But he still blocked her path.

“Then, stop pushing her away,” Jacky shouted incredulously, unable to contain her disapproval of his action. “She seems to be a nice person, and I am sure she just wants to get to know her brother.” He could not disagree with that.

From the few years he had seen her and watched her from afar, all he saw was good things. Haley had been a consistent honor student. She was always at the top of her class.

But that was not what made her special. It was her devotion to helping those who were in need. She never cared about getting anything in return as long as she could make another life better.

“Maybe, I was wrong to push her away.” Marcus finally admitted, suddenly having some enlightenment.

He felt that he had wasted time. Instead of getting to know his sister, he had driven her away. But because of her pure heart, her sister was doing her best, still wanting to get close to him.

“Yes, you moron.” Jacky seemed to be losing her patience with him. It was one thing he liked about her. She could put him in his place. She was not afraid to tell him that he was wrong.

“I guess I am.” He started scratching his head, realizing the huge mistake he had made with his life. The time that he wasted by not getting to know his sister.

“Now, say sorry to Haley and makeup with her for all the lost time. You don’t have to acknowledge your parents, but you can never turn your back on your sister.” She told him as she stood in front of him, reprimanding him like he was a child.

His lips widened, loving how his fiance told him what to do. Then, he pulled her closer to him. “Yes, soon to be Mrs. Kenley.” He snuggled his head just in between her bosom, loving the feel of his body against his face. “I should remember never to piss you off.” He jokingly mumbled, slightly chuckling.

For someone who never knew her parents and never had an example to show her how to live and love, Jacky was more aware of survival than he was, or more than many people he knew.

“Well, you should always try to listen to me so you will not end in trouble,” Jacky warned him, placing a finger on his chest to point out that sometimes she was in charge.

Suddenly, he could not be more proud of the woman he was about to marry. He could not wait to be his husband and claim her as his alone.

“I will keep that in mind.” His hand pulled her towards him, back in his arms, loving how her body fit perfectly in his. He could hold her and be with her forever and never get tired of her.

This time, Marcus would have a real family he could proudly proclaim his besides his sister. Of course, someone he would love with his whole heart and who would love him back.

Who would have thought that two people from a troubled family background would end up together to build a family that would hopefully be different from what they had?