The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

Aileen

Just like at Cyphers Maximum Security Prison, Meryl waits out in the corridor as I go inside the visitation room, taking my seat with the glass partition stretched out before me.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves while hoping for the best. The flight to get here was long and while I expect a certain outcome, I've been waiting for this specific moment - to meet the woman who gave birth to me. I can't help but wonder what she's like.

Finally, the door on the other side swings open and a corrections officer escorts her into the room. She looks nothing like her pictures but I'm not too surprised as I already went through this a few hours ago. I can see just how matted her hair is despite having it in a ponytail, which accentuates the sharp angles and deep lines on her face. She pauses before taking her seat and it actually sends a shiver down my spine as she takes in my features with an unreadable expression.

Then, she takes her seat and immediately leans forward out of curiosity, her eyes still scanning my face. She obviously sees the resemblance. I lean forward, too, realizing I actually have her eyes.

The silence doesn't make me nervous at all as I anticipate the moment her lips will curve into a smile. Suddenly, she leans back in her seat with her chin high, her expression still blank as she picks up the telephone.

"So," she says, her voice void of any emotion. "You're finally here."

I furrow my eyebrows, not sure how I should feel about the first words to come from her chapped lips. "You...were expecting me?" I ask, clutching the telephone.

"How could I not expect you?"

"How did you find out so quickly? Did the information come from Cyphers Maximum Security Prison?" "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I thought it's because I went to see Waylen Guthrie."

"You visited that asshole before me?" She huffs. "I shouldn't even be surprised, but no, I didn't find out you'd be coming because of him."

"Then how did you know?"

"How could I not know my own daughter? Just by looking at you, I could tell. You look just like me in my younger years."

smile a little. "You really could tell just

didn't give birth to you, I

now. I found out about you through some documents and articles detailing the crimes

slams the glass. "Are you fucking blind? I'm in this place,

move back a little, composing myself as I shake my head. "You're

She completes my

"Exactly."

"What did you expect?"

looking at me. As a mother, you'd be a bit more thrilled

point. I didn't lose you. I left

strike to my heart and I try

a few minutes and it's already

she maintains her hostile expression, her

my lips together and gently close my eyes, scared that if I shut them too tightly the tears will

dreamt of the moment you'd

nods firmly, saying nothing more and

best days of my life, but it

what you hoped to accomplish

eyes. "Am I? I might just be seeing things

a minute ago,

like she did in her younger years and she knew who I was when she saw me.

a strong resemblance to you but I'm not your daughter. What

because I gave birth to you, I should be thrilled right now? I'm rotting away in this fucking place! What's