Chapter 26 Mother’s Warning
**Mia’s POV**
The peaceful afternoon silence shattered with the sound of the front door being thrown open, followed by the sharp click of designer heels on marble flooring. Outside, I could hear the purr of a Bentley engine fading away – Catherine never drove herself when she was angry.
“Mrs. Chen!” The commanding voice echoed through the foyer. “Where is my son?”
I looked up from my design sketches, the detailed renderings of the Havers project’s east wing forgotten as Catherine’s voice carried upstairs. Through my open door, I could hear Mrs. Chen’s hurried footsteps on the grand staircase.
“Mrs. Branson Senior,” Mrs. Chen’s usually composed voice held a note of anxiety. “Mr. Branson is at the office-”
“At the office?” Catherine’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Call him, Catherine commanded. “Tell him to come home immediately. And I mean immediately, not after whatever ‘meeting‘ he claims to be in.”
I set aside my work, smoothing my simple grey sweater dress as I made my way downstairs. Catherine stood in the center of the marble floor like an avenging angel in emerald silk. Her Chanel suit was perfectly tailored, silver hair swept into an elegant chignon, but there was something different about her today. A tightness around her mouth, a storm brewing in eyes that matched her suit.
“Mia, darling!” She turned at my footsteps, her expression immediately shifting to concern. “Oh, my precious girl. Look at you!
“You’ve lost at least ten pounds,” she declared, her fingers gentle but insistent on my cheeks. “Your collarbones are showing. When did you last eat a proper meal?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “What has my fool of a son been doing to you?”
“I’m fine,” I murmured, uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “Really, Catherine. I’ve just been busy with work.”
“Work?” She arched one perfect eyebrow. “Or is my son making you miserable again?”
“Catherine, please—”
“Don’t ‘Catherine, please‘ me.” She turned to Mrs. Chen, who hovered anxiously nearby. “Has he been home at all this week?”
Mrs. Chen’s hesitation spoke volumes. She twisted her apron, looking between us. “Mr. Branson has been… very busy with the
company…”
“Busy!” Catherine’s laugh could have cut glass. “Oh, I’m sure he’s been busy.” She pulled out her phone, her perfectly polished nails – the exact shade of her suit – clicking against the screen. “Kyle Alexander Branson, you get home this instant or so help
me-
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–
The sound of the front door opening cut her off mid–threat. Kyle stood there, backlit by the setting sun, looking impossibly put- his mother’s defensive together in a charcoal suit despite the obvious tension in his shoulders. His grey eyes took in the scene stance, my position on the stairs, Mrs. Chen’s worried hovering.
“Mother.” His voice was carefully neutral, practiced. The same tone he used in difficult negotiations. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Pleasure?” Catherine advanced on him like a perfectly coiffed storm cloud. Her heels clicked ominously with each step. “Oh, we’re well past pleasure, darling boy. Would you like to explain the rumors I’ve been hearing?”
Kyle’s expression didn’t change, but I saw his jaw tighten – that tiny tell I’d learned to recognize over three years of marriage.” What rumors?”
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“Don’t play innocent with me.” She jabbed a finger at his chest, leaving a perfect emerald green nail mark on his white shirt. I’ve spent the last month listening to whispers at the club. Watching the knowing looks at charity functions. Hearing about your
mysterious ‘meetings‘ with some Taylor girl.”
“It’s not what you think,” Kyle started, his voice holding that same gentle tone he always used when discussing Taylor. The tone
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that had never been for me.
“No?” Catherine’s voice could have frozen hell itself. Her earrings emeralds to match her suit – caught the chandelier light as she tilted her head. “Then what is it? Because I’ve spent the past month watching my daughter–in–law waste away to nothing while you’re off playing whatever game this is.”
“Mother-”
“No.” She cut him off with a sharp gesture. “Listen very carefully, Kyle Alexander. I won’t stand by and watch you destroy your marriage this way.”
“That’s enough.” Kyle’s voice hardened.
“No, it’s not nearly enough.” Catherine drew herself up to her full height, “I’ve kept quiet. Watched you take this wonderful girl for granted. Hoped you’d come to your senses. But I’m done being silent.”
She reached into her Hermès bag, pulling out a small cloth pouch embroidered with strange symbols. “Do you know what this is?”
Kyle eyed it warily, his perfect composure slipping just slightly. “Knowing your recent interests, something involving crystals or sage?”
“Mock all you want.” She opened the pouch, releasing a spicy, unfamiliar scent that filled the foyer. “This is from my shamanic herbalism course. A blend for clarity. For truth.” Her rings caught the light as she measured dark leaves into delicate cups that Mrs. Chen somehow materialized with her usual efficiency.
“Mother, please tell me you haven’t joined another new age-”
“Quiet.” The word cracked like a whip. “You and Mia will drink this. Together.”
“I don’t think-”
“Exactly.” Catherine’s smile was sharp as a blade. “You don’t think. You don’t see what’s right in front of you. But you will.” She pressed a cup into his hands, then one into mine. Her emerald rings clinked against the fine china. “Drink.”
“Oh, and Kyle?” Catherine’s voice turned deadly soft, the tone that had once made a senator stammer. “If I hear one more whisper about you and that girl, I’ll have the board revisit the morality clause in your contract. Don’t test me on this.”
She smoothed her perfectly tailored jacket, brushing away an invisible speck of dust. “In this life, I have exactly one daughter–in -law that I acknowledge. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.” Her emerald eyes softened as they landed on me. “Even from my own son’s foolishness.” 2
The herbal drink was bitter on my tongue, but not unpleasant. Warmth spread through my chest as I swallowed.
“There.” Catherine looked satisfied, watching us drain our cups. “The herbs never lie. We’ll see what truths they reveal.” She turned to leave. At the door, she paused, looking back at Kyle. “Kyle. Learn to love what you have before you lose it forever. I’ve seen how this story ends.”
The door closed behind her with quiet finality, leaving Kyle and me standing in the foyer. The empty cups in our hands felt heavier than they should.
