Chapter 2

As soon as I put the key in the lock, the door swung open. I could hear the exhaust fan buzzing loudly in the kitchen, and my mom's face lit up with joy.

That expression could only mean one thing. William Quinn was here.

William was my biological father.

But he had a family of his own. He was married to a wealthy woman. My mom wasn’t his ex-wife. She was his secret lover.

William grew up with old-fashioned values, believing that a family wasn’t complete without a son. However, his wife only wanted one child, and after having a daughter, she decided to have a tubal ligation. He felt powerless at home, and shortly after his wife’s decision, he turned to my mom.

My mom was madly in love with him. She was willing to stay hidden in the background for his sake, even making me pretend to be a boy to keep him around.

When I was younger, I thought she would eventually let me be myself and break things off with him. But as I grew older, I realized that day might never come.

So, I decided to make her choose between him and me.

My mom welcomed me in, her face beaming. “Alex, you’re home!”

She spoke loudly, “Your dad’s here. Go say hi to him. He’s been missing you.”

I changed into my slippers silently.

She lowered her voice, annoyed, “Be nicer to your dad. He doesn’t visit often!”

I looked at her. “Mom, something’s burning.”

“Oh no!” She slapped her forehead and rushed back to the kitchen.

I glanced over at William. He was sprawled out on the living room couch, watching TV and snacking on peanuts. The shells were scattered all over the spotless tile floor.

......

When he saw me, he smiled and nodded toward a gift box on the coffee table in front of him. “Alex, I got you a watch. You’re about to step into the real world. You need to make a good impression.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He shifted on the couch, sitting up a bit straighter. “You’ve graduated now. You’re a grown man. You need to learn how to handle yourself! Every time I visit, you’re so distant. I’m your father! Do you think I’d do anything to hurt you?”

“I don’t.”

He stared at me, momentarily speechless, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. “I know you’re upset that I can’t be here with you and your mom, but I’m doing everything I can for you both. Otherwise, how could we afford such a big house?”

“I don’t blame you.”

At that moment, my mom called from the kitchen, “Dinner’s ready!”

He pushed himself up from the couch, and I headed to the dining table.

I went to the kitchen to grab some utensils. When I returned, he stretched lazily. Seeing me, he patted my shoulder. “Why are you still so skinny? Didn’t I tell you to start going to the gym last time?”

He spoke as he sat down.

My mom quickly placed some meat on my plate. “He just doesn’t eat enough.”

He looked at me, waiting for my response.

I lowered my head and took a bite of potato. “It takes time.”

He nodded, satisfied. “You need to stick with it! You look too frail.” He chuckled, “Once my son has the body and the looks, he’ll have girls chasing after him in no time!”

My mom smiled happily, her lips pursed in contentment. “Of course, our son is handsome! Plus, he graduated from a top university. You’ve got good genes, William!”

He nodded in approval.