Sugar Mama’s Secret: Claimed by My Son’s Best Friend

Evelyn Carter POV

“Evelyn, you are a respected university professor now… not a woman on the run,” I whispered to myself, trying to push away Richard’s past and the voice that always called me his possession.

I was waking up early because my son and I had just moved recently.

At least, considering how unlucky I usually am, I was surprised I found a house next to my workplace this easily… and that I even found a job in the first place.

I would no longer have to take buses or taxis unless necessary.

Before, my workplace had been very far from home. I had to take four buses just to get there, and half my money disappeared on transportation.

I have a son in his twenties, yet everyone thinks I am his sister.

Love?

Please, do not remind me.

I married and divorced his arrogant excuse of a father.

I could never live with a man like that, and on top of everything, I was abused.

My life used to feel completely dark.

I still remember the day I ran away from my husband and spent years hiding from him.

My son remembers nothing because he was too young at the time. According to his therapist, the trauma buried most of those memories.

For the first time, I feel like that is a good thing.

At least he did not grow up afraid of society.

I am Evelyn Carter.

I have been through a lot.

And now… I am finally free.

Everything should be fine now.

I walked toward Marcus’s room, already annoyed with my lazy son.

The moment I opened the door, I found him sleeping like a complete mess. His hair was everywhere, the blanket had been thrown aside, and his mouth hung open.

“Marcus, wake up now! The moving truck will arrive soon, and you are still sleeping. Are you serious, son?”

“Mom, please…” he groaned sleepily. “I did not sleep early last night. Just five more minutes, please.”

I stared at him.

My lazy son never changed. I had struggled to wake him up ever since he was little.

Placing my hand on my waist, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Marcus, you know very well we are moving today. I am going downstairs, and if you do not come down right now, something will happen that you will not like. Trust me.”

The fake anger in my voice made Marcus sit up immediately, his messy hair sticking in every direction.

“Okay, okay, I am getting up. See? Do not be mad, Mom.”

Marcus sat on the edge of the bed with a small frown.

“Mom… why are we moving? Please, I do not want this. All my friends are here. I will be alone there… like an outcast.”

I looked at him quietly.

Of course, he was sad.

He had grown up in this apartment. Every corner held memories for him.

I sat beside him, held his hand gently, and smiled.

“It is okay. Do not be sad, son. Try to understand me… You will make new friends, Marcus.”

His sadness had always been my weakness.

He looked at me before smiling softly.

“That is great, Mom… but why don’t I work and help you a little? I know you work hard for me. I can help with the house expenses and stuff.”

“Do not say that again,” I said firmly. “You are still young. You should enjoy your life like boys your age.”

Marcus smiled at me warmly.

“Mom, you are still young and beautiful too. Why don’t you enjoy your life a little? Do not force yourself to stay single forever because of me.”

His expression softened.

“I would honestly be grateful if you married someone who loves you, protects you… and makes you happy.”

I blinked at him in surprise.

He was serious.

For a moment, I thought he was joking.

The truth was… I wanted that once.

But now?

I hated love.

I did not trust anyone anymore.

I did not want anything except for my son to be happy.

Marcus suddenly stared at me in shock.

“Seriously, Mom? All my friends have a crush on you,” he blurted out quickly. “But none of them would dare say anything in front of me. I swear, I would kill anyone who flirted with my beautiful mom.”

I laughed despite myself.

His father did not deserve such loyalty, but he was still Marcus’s father.

I still remember the look on my son’s face when he saw him with another woman.

There had been jealousy in his eyes, even though he pretended not to care.

“Mom… you are my father, my mother, my brother—everything to me,” Marcus said quietly. “There is no place for him in my life.”

His jaw tightened.

“He got married and left you alone in this cruel society. How do you expect me to go to him and his wife? I do not want that. Let him go to hell… he is the one who broke you.”

I hugged him tightly, and he laughed while hugging me back.

“Mrs. Carter is going to become the beautiful lady of the neighborhood,” he teased. “It looks like an old area, so most people there will probably be older.”

I laughed softly.

“Do not say that. I still cannot believe such a classy university accepted my degree so quickly. I think luck is finally smiling at us.”

“Now come on,” I said, standing up. “Pack your small things so we do not delay the workers.”

He grinned immediately.

“Yes, Mom. Yes.”

“Marcus, hurry up! You are unbelievably slow. The truck will arrive, and you still have not eaten anything.”

I placed the fried eggs and rice on the table as a final touch.

Marcus sat down humming, kissed my cheek like he always did, and started eating.

“Mom… I am really going to miss this apartment.”

“Son, I found a beautiful house—not an apartment. Isn’t that what you always wanted?”

I looked at him gently.

“A house?” His eyes widened instantly. “Mom, are we really going to live in a house? Not an apartment?”

His face lit up with happiness.

Marcus was the type of person who showed every emotion on his face. Anyone could read him easily.

I laughed at his childish excitement.

“Yes, son. Just for you. I found a house by chance, and it is close to the university too, so you will not struggle with transportation anymore.”

Relief filled my chest.

“I am just happy we will finally stop struggling.”

“Mom, what kind of surprise is this? I still cannot believe it.”

Marcus looked excited for a moment before drifting into thought.

I immediately knew he was about to ask for something.

He looked at me nervously.

“Mom… you will let me invite my friends over and throw parties sometimes, right?”

He asked the question quietly while staring at the floor.

“You can do that,” I answered calmly, “but no alcohol or anything like that, Marcus.”

His face instantly shifted from shock to happiness.

He had expected me to refuse.

“I swear that will never happen! But I need to make new friends first.”

I laughed softly.

“You can invite your old friends too.”

He nodded with a smile.

“You are right, Mom. I love you so much… my beautiful lady.”

He kissed my hand dramatically, making me laugh again.

Sometimes, seeing how fast my son was growing up made my chest ache.

“I love you too, my spoiled boy. Now eat your pastries before they get cold.”

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.

The workers had arrived.

The moving truck came to take our belongings to the new house, and I found myself staring around the apartment quietly.

This place had witnessed every painful moment of my life.

Leaving it behind felt like finally closing an old wound.

“Despite everything I lived through here… I will miss you.”

Marcus reached for my hand, making me look at him.

“We are leaving this place, Mom,” he said softly. “And things will be better now.”

I nodded slowly and smiled.

“You are right… let’s go.”