Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 61

Rebecca's POV

The afternoon passed in a blur of information and practice exercises. Marcus assigned me to sort and prioritize a batch of documents, explaining that this would be one of my primary responsibilities. Despite the complexity, I found myself enjoying the challenge, and the work helped take my mind off my earlier encounter.

By the time five o'clock arrived, I had successfully organized all the materials and even drafted several response letters for Marcus's review. My fingers ached and my eyes felt strained from staring at the computer screen, but I felt a sense of accomplishment.

"You've done well today," Marcus said, reviewing my work. "Mr. Sterling will be pleased with your progress."

"Thank you," I said, surprised by the warm glow of pride his words evoked. "I'm eager to learn more."

As I was shutting down my computer and preparing to leave, my desk phone rang. It was the front desk receptionist.

"Ms. Brown, there are two visitors for you in the main lobby. They identify themselves as your mother and brother Jason."

My stomach dropped. "My mother and brother? Did they say what they want?"

"No, ma'am. They simply asked to see you."

"I'll be right down." I hung up, my mind racing. What were they doing here? How did they even know where I worked?

I quickly gathered my things and took the elevator to the lobby, anxiety building with each floor we descended. When the doors opened, I immediately spotted them standing awkwardly near the reception desk. They stood out starkly against the corporate backdrop—my mother in her worn floral dress and my brother in jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt.

"Mom? Jason? What are you doing here?" I asked, approaching them quickly, conscious of the curious glances from passing employees.

My mother's face lit up. "Becky! Look at this fancy place you're working in! Why didn't you tell us?"

I guided them toward a more private corner of the lobby. "It's a recent development. How did you find me here?"

"Your friend Sophia mentioned you started a new job at Sterling Group when I called looking for you," my mother explained. "We thought we'd surprise you!"

"Well, I'm certainly surprised," I said, trying to keep the edge from my voice. "Is everything okay? Is Dad alright?"

"Your father's still recovering, but that's not why we're here." My mother's expression grew more serious. "It's about the money you sent us."

I had sent them some of the compensation I'd received from Dominic after the incident with Steve. It wasn't a fortune, but enough to help with my father's medical bills and some household expenses.

"What about it?" I asked cautiously.

My mother twisted her hands nervously. "Well, the thing is... Jason had an opportunity that required some investment, and—"

"She gave him my money, didn't she?" I cut in, looking directly at my brother.

Jason had the decency to look slightly ashamed, but his defensive posture told me he wasn't truly sorry. "There was this job placement service that guaranteed work, but they needed a fee upfront—"

"And you fell for that?" I couldn't keep the exasperation from my voice. "Jason, that's one of the oldest scams in the book!"

"How was I supposed to know?" he protested. "They seemed legit!"

"So you spent all of it?" I asked, already knowing the answer from the guilty look on my mother's face.

"I gave him what was left after paying this month's bills," she admitted. "I thought it would help him get on his feet."

I took a deep breath, trying to control my frustration. "The money I sent was to help with Dad's medical expenses and the mortgage, not for Jason to throw away on get-rich-quick schemes."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," Jason interjected, his voice rising. "Not everyone can land cushy jobs in fancy buildings like you."

I noticed people beginning to stare and lowered my voice. "Jason, you're twenty-two years old. It's time to take responsibility for yourself. I can't keep bailing you out."

"So that's it? You get a fancy job and suddenly you're too good for your family?" His eyes swept over the lobby. "This place probably pays a fortune. You can't spare anything for your own brother?"

"I've been supporting you for years," I hissed, feeling my temper rising. "I've put my life on hold, taken jobs I hated, all to help our family. And what have you done? Failed out of community college and spent your time playing video games?"

My mother stepped between us. "Please, both of you, calm down. Rebecca, honey, we're just in a tight spot right now. Your father's medication cost more than expected this month, and—"

"And Jason spent the rest of the money on a scam," I finished for her. "I understand you're in a difficult position, Mom, but I can't keep enabling him." I turned to my brother. "You need to find a job—a real job—and contribute to the household."

Jason's face flushed with anger. "You think you're so much better than me now that you work in this fancy place." He looked around the lobby, his voice getting louder. "How'd you get this job anyway? Last I heard you were selling jewelry."

People were definitely staring now. I could feel heat rising to my face, partly from embarrassment and partly from anger.

"I need to get back to work," I said firmly. "We'll discuss this tomorrow."

"So you're just going to throw us out?" Jason demanded. "We came all this way!"

"I'm not throwing you out," I said, struggling to keep my voice level. "But this is my workplace, and I need you to leave now. I'll call you tomorrow."

"You've changed," my mother said sadly. "You used to always put family first."

The guilt trip stung, but I stood my ground. "I still care about our family, Mom. But I can't keep sacrificing everything while Jason refuses to grow up."

My mother hesitated, her expression torn between her children. "Rebecca, please..."

Jason turned back, his face suddenly contorting with calculated anguish. "You know what? No." His voice rose dramatically. "I'm not leaving until everyone here knows what kind of person you really are."

My blood ran cold. "Jason, don't—"

"Hey!" he shouted, turning to face the lobby. Several employees stopped in their tracks. "You all work with my sister? You should know she's letting our sick father suffer because she won't help pay for his medication!"

My mouth opened but no sound came out. Security guards by the entrance shifted, uncertain whether to intervene.

"Our dad is dying," Jason continued, his voice echoing through the marble lobby. "And she's here in her fancy clothes, working in this fancy building, while our mother has to work double shifts just to keep him alive!"

"That's not true," I finally managed, my voice barely audible over the thundering of my pulse in my ears.

"She abandoned us!" Jason's performance grew more dramatic as he noticed the growing audience. "Got herself a rich boyfriend and forgot where she came from! We're practically homeless, and she won't spare a dime!"

My legs felt weak. Every face in the lobby seemed to be staring, judging. The shame was paralyzing.

"Our father raised her, sacrificed everything—" Jason continued, but his tirade was suddenly cut short.

"That's enough."

The voice was quiet but carried an unmistakable authority that silenced the entire lobby. Dominic stood just a few feet away, his expression perfectly composed yet somehow terrifying in its coldness.