Dark Lord Seduction System: Taming Wives, Daughters, Aunts, and CEOs novel Chapter 516

Chapter 516: Past and Prejudice

Patricia’s smile faded, pain returning, eyes dimming. "Because of the rumors. The judgment. Everyone knows Richard had an affair with an escort. Everyone knows Peter is that escort’s son. If I showed Peter any affection, any kindness... people would think I was weak. Or stupid. Or that I was acknowledging Richard’s affair in some way." Her voice broke, tears welling again, the weight of societal cruelty crushing her.

She sighed, a heavy, weary exhale that carried the weight of decades, her breath warm against his chest. "It’s easier to play the part people expect. The bitter, scorned wife who hates everything connected to her husband’s past. Let them think I hate Peter. Let them think I wanted him gone. It’s safer that way." Her voice was laced with resignation, tears drying on her cheeks, but pain still raw. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Do you hate Linda?" Eros asked, voice soft, probing gently, his fingers still threading through her hair. "Peter’s mother?"

"Hate?" Patricia laughed, a soft, bitter sound, cracked with emotion. "HELL NO. I’m jealous of her."

"Jealous?" His tone curious, inviting, heart pounding as pieces fell into place.

"She gets to be called ’Mom’ by that incredible boy. She gets to see him every day. Gets to be proud of him openly. Gets to love him without hiding it." Her voice broke, splintering, tears welling anew. "I would give anything to have what she has. But I lost that chance the day the DNA test came back negative."

Eros felt everything click into place. The system had known. That’s why the mission existed. Patricia didn’t hate him. She’d never hated him. She’d loved him from the moment he was born. His chest tightened, breath shallow, truth flooding him, rewriting his world.

Jack had lied about his mother’s orders. The bullying was all Jack—his own jealousy, his own cruelty. Patricia had never wanted Peter hurt. She’d wanted the opposite. His heart ached, gratitude and love surging.

"Peter would be so happy to know how you feel," Eros said softly, voice thick with emotion, eyes burning.

Patricia shook her head, blonde hair shifting, tears spilling. "No. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s happy. That he’s safe. That Linda loves him the way he deserves. My feelings don’t matter."

"That’s stupid," Eros said, voice firm, unyielding.

She looked up at him, surprised, eyes wide, glistening.

"It’s stupid and wrong and you deserve to tell him," Eros said firmly, gaze intense, holding hers. "You deserve to have him know that someone loved him before they even knew him. That someone wanted him even when circumstances made it impossible."

Patricia’s eyes filled with tears again, fresh, overflowing, her lip trembling. "Maybe. But that’s not the world we live in."

Eros cupped her face, palms gentle, thumbs brushing away tears, looked into her eyes, city lights reflecting in their depths. "Thank you," he said softly, voice raw, sincere.

"For what?" Her whisper fragile, confused.

"For telling me. For trusting me with this."

And then he kissed her.

Before she realized what was happening, Eros swept her up and sat her on his lap, her legs straddling him, knees sinking into the mattress, his hands cradling her face like she was precious, the kiss deepening, growing more romantic, more intense, more real, tongues brushing softly, breaths mingling.

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