CHAPTER 125: MOM’S FURY

Nick’s POV

I barely slept last night. I worked my ass off until every corner of my penthouse gleamed, spotless, just the way Mom likes it.

Vicky told me she’s been worried sick ever since she found out what I did. Who could blame her? Jumping into the sea in the middle of a storm for a woman who fought me tooth and nail the whole damn time. I’d worry, too.

The last thing I ever want is to make Mom worry again. She’s already carried more burdens because of me and Vicky than she should’ve, and yet she still smiles through her imperfect life. Seeing that smile every day... that’s one of my goals. One of my reasons.

She said she’d be here early, with Vicky picking her up. So I did what any good son should do. I cooked.

Not just anything, but lamb chops. The new recipe I’d picked up from the Chief Cook on my ship. Yeah, I know it’s too early in the day for that, but I was too damn excited for her to taste it.

I was plating the food when the doorbell rang. My heart jumped, and I hit the open button on the security screen before bolting for the front door.

I pictured it already—the mother who had lost her son at sea once, finally seeing him alive, safe, running into my arms with tears and laughter.

But reality? Reality slapped me—literally.

My mom’s hand landed on my face the moment she saw me.

The sting burned across my cheek as my head snapped to the side. The sound echoed like a gunshot.

"Mom!" Vicky gasped behind her.

"You!" Mom’s voice cracked like thunder. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Jumping into the sea during a storm for a woman who didn’t even want to be saved?!"

I shot a glare at Vicky, who quickly threw up her hands like I was about to cuff her.

"I-I didn’t tell her! Dad did!" she blurted.

I sighed, rubbed the back of my neck, then opened my arms wide, taking a step closer. My chest softened, my voice low, coaxing. "I’m sorry, Mom... Will you forgive your favorite son?"

But she smacked my hands away like I was a little boy caught stealing cookies, then stormed toward the living room with her chin high.

"Vicky is my only favorite now! I don’t have a son anymore!" she declared.

My jaw hit the damn floor. "What? Are you actually disowning me right now?"

"Yes!" she snapped without hesitation. "Until you learn not to throw yourself into the open sea for someone who doesn’t even want to be saved!"

I trailed after her, hands out in surrender, trying to keep up with her fury. "Well, don’t worry about that, Mom. It’ll take a while before I even board another ship."

That froze her in place. She spun on her heels, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean by that? Are you... are you actually taking a long vacation this time?"

I tilted my head, confused as hell, before glancing at Vicky, silently begging for backup. Instead, she gave me the guillotine.

"Oh, right—I didn’t tell her you lost your captain’s license. I figured that’s something you should say yourself."

My jaw dropped. Again.

And then, as if she hadn’t just set me on fire, Vicky sniffed the air and chirped, "What’s that smell? Mmm, are you cooking? Smells amazing!" she said as she walked towards the kitchen.

"You did WHAT?!" Mom’s voice cracked like lightning, her eyes blazing at me.

Fuck. Here it comes.

I didn’t even wait. I knew what was coming next. I bolted. But damn—she was faster. She caught me by the hair, yanked me back, and started raining blows with her leather handbag, the one that I had bought her.

"You idiot! Do you want me dead from worry?! Are you so unhappy with your life you had to risk it all?! If misery is what you’re chasing, just tell me—I’ll give it to you!" Each word came with a smack of that sturdy-as-hell bag, and damn, it hurt like hell. That bag is a weapon!

"Mom! Not the face!" I yelled, shielding myself with my arms as she unleashed holy fury on me.

But I didn’t fight back. I couldn’t. She had every damn right to be furious. If this was how she wanted to bleed out her anger, I’d take it.

She froze, her eyes narrowing at my defensive stance. "Oh, so now you’re being picky about where I hit you?" she growled. "Unbelievable! You’re making me even more furious!"

And with that, she doubled down.

Vicky burst out laughing, clutching her stomach like this was the best show she’d seen in years. "Mom, he’s right—avoid his face. Otherwise, his girlfriend might think he’s been brawling again. He’ll look like trouble all over."

Perfect. Just what I needed. Way to go, sis—keep pouring gasoline on the fire.

But surprisingly, that made Mom freeze. Her grip on my hair loosened, and she blinked at me. "Girlfriend? You have a girlfriend? For real?"

Well, damn. Maybe Vicky’s mouth finally did something useful—otherwise, I’d be bald by now.

I straightened, fixing my shirt and running a shaky hand through my throbbing scalp. "Yes. I do," I said, terse and firm. My head still stung like hell. My mom had the strength of a MMA fighter.

She squinted at me, suspicion rolling off her in waves. Then she turned sharply to Vicky. "Is this a prank? Because it’s not funny."

Vicky laughed harder, and I couldn’t help but smirk, because why not rub it in? "It’s true, Mom. Your precious son has finally fallen—hard—and got himself a girlfriend. Isn’t it shocking?"

Mom’s expression softened in an instant. Her lips curved into a slow smile, one that should’ve made me relax—but then she dropped the kind of bomb that could flatten an entire fleet.

"So," she said sweetly, "when are you getting married?"

I froze mid-breath. My jaw fell open, my eyes bulged, and Vicky—oh, that evil woman—nearly collapsed from her seat, laughing so hard tears streamed down her face.