Chapter 2 Mr. Grouchy.

"I'll divorce you once I've secured what I want. You'll be free to go. It's just a prison of loveless matrimony, no strings attached" Reece's gaze never wavered, his voice devoid of emotions.

Beverly's eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking at the cold calculation in his words. She was nothing more than a pawn in his game of power and wealth?!

She couldn't believe the man! How could he come up with such cruel choices for her to make?

What even made him think he could control her like that just because she was owing.

Pay up in just ten days?

For crying out loud, it had been months since she collected the loan, and hadn't been able to pack. And now he was saying she should pay back in ten days?

Beverly was really in a tight corner.

"The choice is yours" Reece said and with that, he walked back to his car, got in and they drove off. Beverly stared at the car till it was completely out of sight.

This was a total nightmare that she wished to wake up from.

As she soberly walked back inside, she began to remember the words he said to her months ago.

~ I always get my money back. One way or another ~

As she remembered those words, her heart thumped in her chest.

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[ THE BLOOMFIELD'S HOME ]

It was evening and Beverly sat at the kitchen table, helping her son Jorel with his math homework. She patiently explained the concepts, and Jorel listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Okay, Mom, I think I get it now," Jorel said, his face lighting up with understanding.

"That's great, sweetie! You're so smart." Beverly smiled, feeling a sense of pride and joy.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening interrupted their moment. Beverly's heart sank, knowing that her mom, Susan, was home from her night out.

"Grandma's home!" Jorel exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Beverly forced a smile, her mind racing with worry. What state would her mom be in tonight?

And, just as she feared, her mom staggered in, looking disheveled and drunk.

"Hey, kids!" Susan slurred, dropping her purse on the floor. "Miss me?" She hiccupped.

Beverly's heart sank.

Susan staggered over to the couch and collapsed onto it, reeking of booze.

Beverly's mind raced with worry and anger. How could her mom do this again? And always in front of Jorel? She was getting tired of it all.

Her mom's descent into alcoholism started after their father's death. Beverly had tried everything to get her mom to stop drinking, but nothing had worked. Susan's health issues, including kidney damage, had led to huge medical bills, which Beverly struggled to pay.

The debt to Blackmore Company, which she still couldn't pay, was also related to her mom's health issues.

Same money that was meant for her boutique, to boost it to a higher level, she had to use it for her mom's medical bills.

Sometimes, Beverly felt like she was shouldering the burden alone, she not only cared for her mom but also cater for Alex's other school needs and Jorel's school fees. The whole family's burden was on her, and now she had millions of dollars to pay back, which she didn't even know how or where to start from.

The fact that Reece Blackmore even came and gave her those hard choices to make, worsened everything.

It was even hard for her to think it.....she didn't feel like thinking about it at all. How he came in like that with that stoned face of his and gave her those hard choices to make, she might just go crazy if she thought too much about it.

She couldn't even concentrate anymore, back at her ice cream shop. Her employees had to do the rest of the things she usually did before going home. She felt too weak.

"Mom, how much did you have to drink tonight?" Beverly asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Just a few drinks, sweetie. I'm fine." Susan waved a hand dismissively.

But Beverly knew better. She'd seen this too many times before. Her mom's alcoholism was a constant stress in their lives.

She sighed and put down one of Jorel's books she was holding , her mind racing with concern. She knew she had to handle the situation carefully, for Jorel's sake.

"Mom, why don't you go take a shower and get changed?" She said.

"Yeah, yeah...good idea, sweetie." Susan nodded vaguely, her eyes already glazing over.

Beverly helped her mom up from the couch, trying to ignore the smell of alcohol and disappointment.

Once she got her mom settled in the bathroom, Beverly returned to the living room, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. Why did her mom keep doing this? And how could she protect Jorel from the negative impact?

Just then, Jorel looked up at her with innocent eyes.

"Grandma's okay, right, Mommy?" He asked innocently.

"Yeah, baby, she's just...tired as always. Let me go make your favorite meal, and we'll have a fun night, okay?" She said and Jorel nodded, oblivious to the tension. Beverly was grateful for his innocence, but she knew she had to find a way to address her mom's addiction soon. For all their sakes.

It will be useless anyway, but she was never going to give up on her mom.

"Where's uncle Alex, mom? Is he gonna come home? I miss him" Jorel suddenly asked, and Beverly immediately squatted to his level, rubbing his cheeks lightly as always.

"Yes, baby. Your uncle Alex will come home for sure. I think he's hanging out with his friends" Beverly said, sighing inwardly.

"Okay, mommy. I love you" Jorel hugged her, and she smiled, patting his back.

"I love you too, my world" Beverly kissed his forehead and cheeks. "Let me go make your food, okay?" She said. Jorel nodded with a smile.

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[ REECE'S HOME ]

Reece's eyes groggily opened, and he was met with a piercing headache, his head was pounding from the night before.

As he sat up and rubbed his eyes, he remembered the fun he had at the club with Kevin last night.

As he turned to his side, he noticed a woman lying next to him, her hair disheveled, and her makeup smeared.

He and Kevin had gone wild, drinking and dancing, and he had brought this woman back to his place yesterday.

As he looked over at the woman, his expression turned cold.

"Get out" He instantly barked, his voice icy.

The woman's eyes snapped open, and she froze, fear evident on her face.

"W....what time is it?" She stuttered, her voice shaky.

Reece's gaze was unyielding. "It's time for you to fuck the hell out of my room. Leave!" He yelled.

The woman scrambled out of bed, her eyes fixed on Reece as if she was terrified of him. She hastily gathered her clothes and dressed quickly, her hands shaking.

"P....please, can I at least..." She began, but Reece cut her off abruptly.

"Get the fuck out!" He yelled again and the lady flinched at his harsh tone and quickly made her way to the door.

She hesitated for a moment, then turned back to him.

"Y....you won't...call me, will you?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Sure, I will call you. But just to cut off your two milk factories" He said darkly.