MTLNOVEL Chapter 311: Against my mother
As the meeting wrapped up, Sage and Katelyn walked their client to the car. Once it pulled away and disappeared from view, Katelyn turned sharply to him.
"I'm not coming to your place for dinner."
Her abrupt refusal didn't faze Sage; he'd half expected it.
"Did His Majesty give you permission to say that?" he asked evenly.
"I didn't bother my father over something so petty," Katelyn replied with cool finality.
"Who's the guy you like?" Sage pressed. "I asked you before, and you dodged the question. Work's over now, so let's talk about our personal lives." He folded his arms. "You see, I'm interested in you. You're not interested in me. So logically, the one who should step back from this arrangement is you. Don't you think?"
Katelyn turned tight-lipped as she knew she couldn't win this argument.
"There's no one," she said at last.
She knew asking Karmen for help would be useless; he'd reject her request without a second thought. And that man had already made it clear she would never be his mate, not in this lifetime.
"So you were lying," Sage concluded.
"I just wanted to hear your opinion," Katelyn said. "Don't you think it's awkward? You know I don't like you. There's no point in forcing this."
"I told you my father wants this to happen, and I can't refuse him. Your father wants the same," Sage said, his voice firm. "Besides, I want to win you."
Her eyes narrowed. "Am I a game to you?"
"No."
"Then why can't you see how much I despise Alpha males?" she shot back, her voice rising. "All of you act like your opinions are law!"
"You also carry an Alpha's blood. What's your opinion on that? And I don't know why you generalize all the alphas like that," Sage confusedly peered into her eyes.
"When you talked to me for the first time, you practically forced your decision on me. You said you would make it happen. Then, the next time too, we debated on it. You were quite angry that I wasn't choosing you. The man with whom women don't hesitate to sleep, I asked him not to be even near me. That hurt your ego. Do I need more reasons to tell you why I don't like Alphas like you?" Katelyn questioned.
"Well, you're going with me," Sage said. "If not, you can explain yourself to my parents, not me." He checked his watch. "Dinner's in an hour. Make your decision quickly."
"Tell them I'm sick," Kate replied. "Or better yet, call your father. I'll tell him myself."
Sage hesitated, then reluctantly pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed. After a few rings, the call connected.
"Good evening, Dad," Sage greeted.
"Good evening. We've prepared everything. I trust the princess is with you?"
"Katelyn wants to speak to you," Sage said, passing her the phone.
Katelyn lifted it to her ear. "Good evening, Sir. I heard from Sage about the dinner invitation, but I won't be able to attend. I'm not feeling well. I hope you understand."
"Of course, Princess Katelyn. Shall I arrange for a doctor to visit?"
"No, Sir, thank you. I've already been checked. I just need rest," she said politely. "I'm sorry for not being able to make it."
She handed the phone back to Sage.
"I'll talk to you later, Dad," he said into the receiver before ending the call. His gaze shifted to Katelyn.
"You're good at lying," he remarked.
"It was necessary," she replied firmly. "And I'll find a way to end this arrangement between us." With a final, determined look, she turned and walked away.
Sage pulled into the parking lot and drove to his home. But the moment he stepped into his apartment, he froze.
His father was waiting.
"Dad, what are you—"
The sentence never finished. A sharp sound of a slap echoed through the room as William's palm struck his cheek. Sage's head snapped to the side, his jaw tightening as his fists curled at his sides. He met his father's glare with one of his own.
"Why did Princess Katelyn refuse to join us for dinner?" William barked in fury.
"Didn't she tell you on the phone?" Sage shot back, his brows knitting together.
"She did. But you think I'm a fool?" William stepped closer, his voice rising. "It must be your fault she refused. Don't tell me she's discovered the truth about what kind of womanizer you are. Sleeping with anyone is in your blood! Your mother was the same—"
"Dad!" Sage roared, his eyes igniting a deep shade of red. "Don't say a single word against my mother."
"Why? Didn't your mother cheat on me and leave you behind? Say it!" William's voice thundered, refusing to drop an inch. "You're only the pack's leader because you're the sole son of the Nightshade family. But don't forget where you truly come from. Your filthy mother is still alive, and the moment I find her, I'll kill her, right in front of your eyes."
"My mother wasn't filthy," Sage retorted. "You must have driven her away, tortured her until she had no choice but to run."
The moment the words left his mouth, he knew he had crossed a line, but it was too late to take them back.
William's eyes darkened. "Sage, don't push me. I can beat you until you lose consciousness. Be a good son and repay me for raising you in a lavish household. You're bringing Katelyn tomorrow at any cost. Fail me, and you'll be punished. Severely."
With that, William turned and strode out.
Sage dragged a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.
He walked to the couch and slumped on it. His eyes burning, but no tears came out. He didn't even remember when was the last he cried.
"Why did you have to leave me behind, Mother?" He murmured, feeling tired. All these years, he acted like a man with pride in front of the others, refusing to show how vulnerable he was from inside.