Wealth Without Him Rising from Betrayal (Grace Wilson) novel Chapter 9

Wealth Without Him: Rising from Betrayal

Chapter

Jason’s POV

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I was sprawled lazily across the couch, fully focused on trying to beat the next level of my game when my mother’s voice interrupted my concentration. I looked up to see her staring at her phone in disbelief.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” I asked, one eye still on my paused game.

“That… that woman has refused to come home and make dinner,” Mom stuttered, clutching her pearl necklace tightly as she always did when

angry. And then she hung up on me!”

I sat up straight, suddenly interested. Grace? Refusing orders? That was new. “Grace? Really?”

Mom began pacing, her high heels making dramatic clicks against our marble floor. “A social climber who can’t even give Richard an heir, with

such a questionable background. I warned Richard against marrying beneath his station.”

I put down my game controller, now fully invested in this topic. This was more interesting than my game. “She always acted so obedient before.

Always “Yes, Margaret’ and ‘Right away, Margaret.” I mimicked her voice, making it high-pitched and pathetic. It felt good to mock her. “It was

all an act.*

“She’s gotten too comfortable, Mom sniffed coldly. “Forgotten her place in this family.”

I stood up, stretching my arms, a plan already forming in my mind. Grace needed to be taught a lesson. “Don’t worry, Mom. I know how to

handle her. I’ll make her understand her place.”

I watched Mom’s face soften with pride as she patted my cheek. “That’s my good boy. Let her know what happens when she disrespects this family.

Sitting in a kitchen chair, I dialed Grace’s number, taking a deep breath to prepare my performance.

She answered on the fourth ring. “Hello, Jason.”

“Grace?” I deliberately made my voice sound weak and trembling, a trick that always worked on my teachers, especially when I hadn’t done my homework. “I… I’m not feeling well.”

There was a pause on the other end. I could almost see her sitting up with concern. So predictable.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, sounding annoyingly professional.

‘I haven’t eaten all day,” I whimpered, adding a slight tremor to my voice. Mom’s not home, and the chef is off.”

I held my breath, waiting for her to give in. She always did.

Jason,” she said slowly, “you’re old enough to make yourself something to eat. Make a sandwich, heat up some frozen food-*

“I don’t want that shit!’ The words flew out before I could stop them, anger punching through the act. “I want what you promised. The steak you always make. That’s what Mom said. You’re just… you’re just being selfish.”

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11:55 Mon, Feb 23

Chapter 9

Something in her voice changed. Went colder.

I didn’t promise you anything,” she said. “Your mother did. And I’m not your chef.”

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I felt my ears burn. No one ever talked to me like that in this house. Not Mom. Not Richard. They might be mad, but they never made it sound

like I didn’t matter.

“I could die, you know, I threw back, half stubborn, half desperate. The words tasted dramatic, but I leaned into them anyway. “If something

happens to me, it’s on you.”

1 expected her to crack then. She always cracked when I pushed the “fragi Jason” button.

Instead, she sighed. Like she was tired. Of me.

“If you’re feeling that bad, call the family doctor,” she said. “Or Mom. Or Richard. I’m busy working-for your brother’s company, by the way. I’ll

text you three restaurant numbers. Call and order. Put it on the house account.”

Anger flashed through me. Who did she think she was? Time to remind her.

“Remember, Grace,” 1 said, dropping all pretense of weakness, “your position at Harrison Group and everything you have came through our family. Before you start acting so high and mighty, you might want to consider that.”

Silence on the other end. I felt like I’d hit a nerve.

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