Chapter 3

He couldn’t stay the night. By a little after seven, he was gone.

My mom cleaned up the dining table and tidied the mess he had left in the living room. Before long, she came over and knocked on my door, holding the gift box in her hand.

“Look how much your dad cares about you. He spent tens of thousands on this watch without even thinking twice. Try it on and see if it fits!”

I took it from her and set it on the desk as I walked into my room. “Mom, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Go ahead,” she said, patting my hand and looking at me expectantly.

“Come abroad with me,” I said seriously, holding her hand, which was slightly damp with sweat.

Her brows furrowed instantly.

My heart sank.

“For what? And what about your dad? What’s he supposed to do if we leave?” Her expression turned impatient, as if she couldn’t grasp what I was saying.

I let go of her hand and tried to keep my voice steady. “Mom… we can’t keep living like this forever.”

She had spent her life being his secret lover. I had spent mine pretending to be his son. But he wasn’t the center of our world.

“Alex…” She looked at me like I was a stranger. “How can you even think like that? Your dad has done so much for us!

“Look at this house and the car. He bought all of it for us. And those gifts he gives you, every single one of them is expensive. He loves us so much. If we leave the country and he can’t see us for a year or more, how upset do you think he’ll be?”

I spoke softly. “That’s only because he thinks I’m his son. Mom, are you planning to make me pretend to be someone I’m not for the rest of my life, just for him?”

A long silence followed.

After a while, I broke it, speaking gently, “Mom, I’ve received several offers from universities abroad. I want you to come with me. We can give back the house, the car, and everything he’s given us. I’ve saved up some money during college. We can start fresh overseas and live a life we can be proud of.”

I took her hand and pleaded softly, “Trust me, in a few years, I’ll make sure you have a better life.”

But she yanked her hand away and, before I could react, slapped me across the face.

“Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you talking about?! You are not going abroad!” Her voice rose, screaming at me hysterically.

Her face twisted with rage, and she looked terrifying. “A fresh start?! What’s wrong with you? Are you ashamed of your mother’s money? Let me tell you something, Alex! Anyone else can judge me, but not you, because I’m the one who raised you!”

She shot me a furious glare, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I sighed, “Mom…”

......

Maybe I had anticipated this reaction all along.

But I still couldn’t help holding onto some hope.

Now that she refused to leave with me, I would have to go alone. I would try again once I was settled abroad.

Just then, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen. It was Felix.

“Hey, Felix,” I answered.

There was silence on the other end.

Just as I started wondering if he had called by mistake, his deep voice finally came through the line, “Alex, come over to my place tomorrow.”

I hummed in agreement. “Is something up?”

Felix replied, “Let’s have dinner.”

“Sure. Should we invite Hunter and Zac too?”

“No need.”

I gripped my phone a little tighter, my heart inexplicably starting to beat faster. “Alright.”