A son he never wanted.

RYDER’S POV. 

My phone started ringing the moment I stepped out of class.

I checked the screen. It was my Mom.

I sighed softly and answered. “Hello, Mom.”

“Ryder!” she said happily. “How are you? How was your class?”

“It was fine,” I said, walking down the hallway. “Boring as always. The professor talks too much.”

She sighed. “Tell me about it.”

I forced a smile, causally waving at a classmate. “Bye,” I whispered. 

“Good. Are you eating well?” she asked.

“It’s only been a month,” I said. “I’m not dying.”

“You sound thinner,” she said.

“You can’t hear thinness through a phone.”

“A mother can,” she replied.

I smiled a little.

“How is college?” she asked again.

“It’s fine.”

“And Aiden Miller?” she said, her voice filled with disdain. 

I rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see me. “I’m going to survive him too.”

“He's just like his father, isn't he? A dull asshole with a butt shaped head and a tiny prick,” she insulted. 

“Woah! Chill out, mum.”

“I just hate the Millers.”

Same here. 

There was a short silence before she spoke again.

“Have you spoken to your father?”

My jaw tightened a little. “I called.”

“And?”

“He didn’t pick up,” I said flatly. “He hasn’t picked up for almost five years now. I don’t know why I still try.”

“He is still your father,” she said softly.

“Is he?” I asked. “Doesn't look like it.”

“Ryder.”

“What?” I said. “It’s the truth.”

She cleared her throat. “Tonight is his birthday.”

I stopped walking. “And?”

“We are having a private dinner.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Why are you telling me?”

“Because you are coming.”

“No,” I said quickly. “He wouldn’t want me there.”

She laughed lightly. “You are still his son. And I am the one inviting you.”

“Mom…”

“Please,” she said gently. “Just come. For me.”

I closed my eyes. I hated when she used that tone.

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll come.”

“That’s my boy,” she said warmly. “Seven o’clock. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t.”

“And Ryder?”

“Yeah?”

“Wear something nice. And you know what mean by nice. If you don't have suit, get one immediately.”

I chuckled. “I'll try not too dress too tempting.”

“Good.” She hang up. 

In the evening, I arrived at the restaurant.

It was expensive. Of course it was. My father would never celebrate in a simple place.

As expected, he wasn’t there yet. He had an habit of being the last to come for any family event. 

The moment my mother saw me, she stood up quickly. “Ryder!” she called and rushed toward me.

She hugged me tightly. “You’ve gotten thinner,” she said again, holding my face.

“It’s been one month,” I said. “I didn’t join the army.”

She frowned. “You are not eating well.”

“I am fine.”

She pulled me to the table. “Sit beside me.”

I sat down.

She kept looking at me like I was still ten years old.

“I missed you,” she said softly.

I nodded. 

The door opened and my father walked in, trailing behind him was my elder brother, Weichén and his wife. 

They were laughing about something. But the moment they saw me, they stopped. 

My father and mother exchanged glances, their eyes engaging in a heated argument. It was clear my father didn't want me here. 

They walked to the table slowly. And took their seats. 

“Father,” my brother greeted him formally, even though he was right beside him.

My father nodded.

No one said anything for a while. We started eating.

The only sound was plates and cutlery.

After some minutes, I cleared my throat.

“How is work?” I asked my father.

He didn’t look at me. “Work is fine.”

“That’s good,” I said.

He turned to my brother instead. “Your presentation last week was impressive.”

My brother smiled proudly. “Thank you, Father.”

“You are acting like a real son,” my father added. “A son that every man would die to have.”

I froze slightly. I knew what he meant.

My mother put her fork down. “He is also your son,” she said firmly. “He just got into college.”

My father looked at me. “Harvard?”

“No,” my mother answered quickly.

“Which school?” he asked.

“Princeton,” she said.

My father laughed softly. “Ever since this family touched American soil, all of us attended Harvard. My grandfather attended Harvard.”

I couldn't help but scoff. My Father and all his siblings went to Harvard, and he wanted us to continue that tradition, which I broke — intentionally.

My mother frowned. “School is just a label. It doesn't really define people's worth.”

My brother laughed. “Just like being gay.”

My mother looked at him sharply. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just glad my brother made Princeton. People like him can’t even smell the air of Harvard.”

His wife giggled quietly.

I kept eating, shoving the food in my mouth. 

My brother looked at me. “I must say, you are dressed quite decent for a man like you. Shows you still have some respect for father.”

My father laughed. “The only people who respect their parents are those who return home with a Chinese girl.”

My brother burst out laughing. “Father, remember the saying? Have many children. If one fails, rely on the others.”

My father nodded proudly. “That mindset is how you will take over the company.”

My mother spoke again. “Ryder still owns ten percent of the company.”

My brother smirked. “He’s not man enough to lead even one percent.”

My fists clenched under the table but I ignored him. 

His wife clapped her hands softly. “Let’s not argue today,” she said sweetly. “It’s Father’s birthday.”

She reached into her bag and brought out a small box. Inside was a Chinese green emerald jade ring.

“It symbolises wisdom and protection,” she explained.

My father’s eyes softened. “Beautiful,” he said. “You have good taste.”

My brother then brought out his gift. A wristwatch.

It looked very expensive.

My father smiled proudly. “You always know what I like.”

Then they both looked at me. “Well?” my brother asked mockingly. “Did you bring anything?”

“Don't tell me you came for Father's birthday without bringing anything.”

I sighed, slowly reaching for my bag. 

I brought out a box and placed it on the table. “Happy birthday,” I said calmly.

My father didn’t touch it.

My brother opened it instead.

He froze.

It was the same wristwatch he gave my father. Same model, but mine was custom made. 

His wife frowned. “That’s fake. There is no model like this.”

I laughed softly. “That's a custom made wristwatch.” I turned to my brother. “I’m sure Wěichén can tell you which is more expensive. The custom model or the general one.”

My brother slowly turned to me, anger burning in his eyes. “The company told me they don't make special orders.”

I shrugged, my lips curled into a faint smile. “I've my ways.”

Wěichén's wife leaned closer and whispered. “Heard the company chairman's son is gay, maybe they hooked up.”

“That rumor is false,” I revealed. “His son is straight as fuck. I double checked. He just doesn't want to get married now.”

“Then where and how did you get this?” My brother growled. 

I took out the receipt and placed it on the table.

I leaned back in my chair. “The receipt has my name.”

He looked at it again.

I smiled. “Jealous?”

“You—”

“Enough,” my father said sharply.

We stopped.

He pushed the box back toward me.

“I can’t accept this.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

“I don’t need anything from you.”

“I didn’t buy it because you needed it.”

He looked at me finally. “I don’t take gifts from people like you.”

The words were calm. But sharp.

“I never liked you from the beginning,” he continued. “And now you only cause trouble.”

The table went quiet.

I swallowed slowly. “Do you want me gone?” I asked.

He didn’t answer.

That was the answer.

I stood up. And picked up the watch.

I turned around and threw it against the wall. The watch fell to the floor — broken. 

“This was a waste of time,” I muttered and walked out. 

“Ryder!” my mother called.

She followed me outside. “Wait,” she said, catching up to me. “Don’t leave like this.”

I stopped. “Thank you for inviting me,” I said quietly. “But this is the last time.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Mom,” I frowned. “I'm not part of this family no matter what I do.”

“You are still part of this family.” She grabbed my hands. “And my favourite.”

I forced a smile. 

She pulled me into a hug. “They only see you as a boy that stood out. But I see you as a boy that became what he wanted. And that's all that matters.”

“Thanks mother,” I forced a smile. “Call you later,” I added and walked away.