The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 11

It was hard to say how Margaret moved so fast. By the time Suzie saw her coming again, she barely had time to dodge. Margaret lunged, grabbing a fistful of Suzie's long ponytail and yanking her head back with all her strength.

Suzie struggled to break free, terrified she would be pulled to the floor. Just as she felt her balance give way, a furious voice cut through the air.

“Let her go!”

Margaret froze, her grip still tight on Suzie’s hair. She turned to see Jamie and her expression instantly shifted to a fawning smile. “Jamie, you’re here! This brat doesn’t know her place. I was just teaching her a lesson for you.”

Jamie’s eyes were ice. “I said,” he repeated, his voice dangerously low, “let her go.”

The chilling look on his face was enough to make Margaret obey. She released Suzie, but not without giving her hair one last vicious tug.

Suzie stumbled back, clutching her throbbing scalp and grabbing the arm of the sofa to steady herself. The sharp pain made her eyes water, and she blinked hard, trying to force back the involuntary tears as she smoothed her disheveled hair.

This was nothing new. Margaret had always used Suzie as her personal punching bag, taking out her frustrations by pinching, slapping, or pulling her hair. It was a depressingly familiar routine.

“You were already here once. Why did you come back just to cause another scene?” Jamie’s gaze flickered to Suzie, a complex mix of what looked like pity and disappointment in his eyes, as if he couldn't decide whether to feel sorry for her or frustrated by her lack of fight. He then fixed his stare back on Margaret.

Margaret’s smile returned instantly. “Oh, Jamie, this foolish girl wasn’t answering my calls, and I couldn't find her anywhere,” she explained smoothly. “I was just waiting in your reception area when I heard Aaron on the phone saying she had arrived.”

“Name your price,” Jamie cut her off coldly, as if every word from her mouth was an irritation. It was a miracle, he thought, that a woman this unhinged could have raised someone like Suzie. He had no time to waste on their games or watch them put on a show for his benefit.

Margaret’s smile finally faded as she registered the unyielding tone in Jamie's voice. Looking at his grim, determined face, she realized there was no room for negotiation.

“Jamie,” she asked, her voice now cautious, “can we really ask for anything?”

Before she could continue, Suzie, who had been silent until now, spoke up.