Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 82: I’m so sorry

Chapter 82: I’m so sorry

Marcus barely slept. The night had stretched long, his mind restless, thoughts tangled in possibilities and fears. By the time the first hints of dawn crept through the curtains, he was already dressed, sitting near the window, watching the sky shift from deep blue to pale gold.

He had waited years for this moment. Now that it was here, a strange weight settled over his chest. Anticipation. Fear. Guilt.

The others had been through enough already. He didn’t want to burden them further. It would be easier—cleaner—if he went alone. But he knew Isabella. She wouldn’t allow it.

The house remained quiet. Thirty minutes passed before the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs. Marcus turned as Liam appeared, stretching slightly, his hair still tousled from sleep.

"Couldn’t sleep?" Liam’s voice held its usual lightness, but his sharp gaze missed nothing.

Marcus gave a small, wry smile. "Didn’t try."

Liam scoffed, stepping off the last stair. "You do realize you’re supposed to function like a human, right? Sleeping, eating, all that nonsense?"

"Not today."

Liam shook his head. "Well, I’d be worried if you weren’t a mess right now." He studied Marcus for a moment before adding, "But you’ll be alright. Just don’t pass out before we even get there."

Marcus huffed a quiet laugh. "I’ll manage."

Liam smirked, then stretched his arms above his head. "Well, as much as I enjoy these heart-to-hearts, I need a shower. Give me twenty."

Marcus nodded, watching as Liam disappeared down the hallway.

Exactly twenty minutes later, Liam returned, dressed, his hair damp but neatly styled. As he entered the living room, Isabella and Christina were already there, both prepared. Isabella, as always, exuded control—her sharp gaze met Liam’s briefly before flicking to Marcus. Christina stood beside her, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

Liam arched a brow. "You two actually got up early? Miracles do happen."

Isabella ignored him, turning instead to Marcus. "Chef Maria already made something for you, Liam. Eat before your medicine."

Liam sighed but didn’t argue. "Yes, Mother."

Isabella merely lifted a brow before walking toward the front door. "We leave in ten minutes."

The car ride was quiet at first, the weight of the destination pressing down on them. Marcus sat in the front passenger seat, gaze fixed on the road ahead, fingers tapping against his knee.

Christina gripped the steering wheel, her eyes steady as she navigated the streets. She hadn’t said much that morning, but every so often, her gaze flickered toward Marcus—silent, knowing.

In the backseat, Liam watched him carefully. The tension was thick, coiled in Marcus’s rigid posture, in the way his hands never fully stilled.

Liam exhaled and leaned forward, resting his arm on Isabella’s seat. "Alright, mate, let’s break this down logically. Sophia is beautiful, right?"

Marcus blinked, startled. "...What?"

"I mean, she’s got your genes, poor girl, but thankfully, Isabella had the good sense to save her from looking too much like you."

Isabella sighed, rubbing her temple. "Liam."

Marcus exhaled, a faint chuckle escaping before he could stop it. "That’s the logic we’re using?"

"Obviously," Liam continued. "Point is, if she’s as beautiful as I suspect, there’s a chance someone already scooped her up."

Marcus’s stomach twisted, but before he could spiral, Christina spoke, her voice firm. "Even if she was adopted, she deserves to know where she came from."

Before Marcus could respond, Liam nodded, his voice dipping into that familiar British lilt he used whenever he was trying to be particularly insufferable. "Exactly. And if she doesn’t want you, well... we’ll just have to convince her you’re not entirely useless."

Silence settled over them again, but this time, it felt lighter.

The orphanage hadn’t changed much. A modest building, slightly worn with age but still standing strong. Children’s laughter echoed faintly from the back courtyard, a distant sound carried by the breeze.

Isabella stepped forward first, leading them through the entrance.

An old man stood behind the desk, his sharp eyes lifting as they approached. Recognition flickered in his gaze the moment he saw Isabella.

"My lady," he murmured, his voice rough with age.

Isabella inclined her head. "It’s been a long time."

Liam and Marcus remained near the entrance, watching as Isabella spoke quietly with the man. Christina stood beside her, listening intently.

Marcus’s hands curled into fists. "What if she was adopted?" His voice was low, rough. "What if she’s happy somewhere else? What if she hates me?"

Liam nudged him slightly. "Then you deal with it. But if I had to bet, I’d say she remembers you."

Christina glanced at Marcus, her expression unreadable. Then, quietly, she added, "You deserve to know."

Marcus swallowed hard, saying nothing.

The old man glanced toward them before nodding once. Without another word, he turned and disappeared down a hallway.

Seconds stretched into minutes.

Then—

Soft footsteps.

A girl stepped into the room.

She was taller now, her limbs lean with the awkward grace of someone still growing into themselves. Dark curls framed her face, falling past her shoulders. But her eyes—deep, familiar—held the same quiet depth, the same warmth that had once clung to the tiny child Marcus had left behind.

She was beautiful.

Marcus’s breath hitched. His chest ached.

For a moment, Sophia simply stared.

Then, her eyes flickered past Marcus, landing on Isabella.

Recognition.

She took a hesitant step forward, lips parting slightly. "Mr..."

Liam’s brows lifted slightly. He had expected her to recognize Isabella, but when her gaze snapped to him, something inside him shifted.

"You were there," Sophia said softly, frowning as she searched her memory. "The auction."

Liam hesitated before nodding. "Yeah," he admitted, his usual playful tone absent. "I brought you here that night. You were... afraid, we didn’t talk much."

Sophia’s expression turned solemn. "I remember you. You and My Lady stopped them from taking me."

A flicker of something passed through Liam’s eyes before he offered her a small, lopsided grin. "Well, we couldn’t just let them have you, could we?"

Sophia’s lips twitched, but before she could say more, her gaze darted back to Marcus.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Then, her eyes widened.

A sharp inhale—

She moved.

Marcus barely had time to process it before she collided into him, arms wrapping tightly around his waist.

He staggered slightly, then caught her, his arms curling protectively around her small frame.

A breathless whisper—

"Papa."

Something inside Marcus shattered.

His vision blurred, his grip tightening instinctively as a choked sound escaped him. He pressed his face against her curls, unable to stop the quiet, broken words that tumbled out.

"I’m so sorry," he murmured. "I’m so—so sorry, Sophia."

Her fingers curled into the fabric of his coat. "I waited," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought you weren’t coming, but I still waited."

Behind them, Isabella’s gaze flickered toward the orphanage keeper. With a simple, practiced motion, she tapped something on her phone.

The old man’s pocket buzzed. He glanced at his screen, his sharp eyes widening slightly before schooling his features.

Two hundred thousand dollars. Deposited. No words exchanged.

A silent acknowledgment passed between him and Isabella.

Christina caught the moment, her gaze lingering on Isabella before shifting back to Marcus and Sophia.

Marcus exhaled shakily, pressing a kiss to Sophia’s forehead. "I love you, Sophia."

Her grip tightened around him. "I love you too."

Isabella exhaled softly. "Let’s go home."

Marcus nodded, gripping Sophia’s hand.

And for the first time in years, he felt whole.