Chapter 4

During that time, I called my mom more times than I could count.

None of them went through.

But online, it was nothing but news about her and Caleb. Multi-million dollar watches at auctions. A yacht for his birthday. Headline after headline.

Finally, I took my dad's critical condition notice and went to find her myself.

She was furious. She looked down at me and snapped, "You've been with your father for what, a few days? And you've already learned to lie? He just wants to come back, doesn't he? Why does he have to make such a scene?"

She threw a card at my face. "There's 50 thousand dollars in there. Take it and get lost. Don't bother me and Caleb during our time together."

The card cut my cheek. But I didn't even feel it. All I could think was that my dad finally had a chance.

Not long after that, Caleb showed up at the hospital. He cornered me in the hallway and got straight to the point. The second he saw me, his face was full of contempt.

"I've known for a long time that your dad was married to Sarah. I knew you were her son. All it took was a little maneuvering on my part, and I got her completely wrapped around my finger. I even got her to throw you and your father out.

"Do yourself a favor and stop coming around. Sarah and I have a daughter now. You're nothing. If you keep hanging around and making a scene, I'll make sure your father dies right here in this hospital."

I lost it. I lunged at him and shoved him.

That's when my mom showed up out of nowhere. She kicked me so hard I flew across the floor. I slammed into the door frame. My ear started ringing instantly, and blood ran down my neck.

But she didn't even look at me. She just ran to Caleb.

"I've spoiled you too much," she said coldly. "How dare you attack Caleb? You and your father are both greedy. Fine. Forget the 50 thousand dollars. I'm freezing that card. That's the price you pay for hurting Caleb. From now on, even if you starve to death, I won't give you another cent."

I dragged myself up off the floor, practically begging her. I told her that money was my father's only chance to live. "Mom, please... Dad needs surgery right away. Without that money, he's going to die."

The commotion was so loud it woke my father up in his hospital bed. He was devastated and furious, but he still forced himself to sit up and beg her. "It doesn't matter if I die. Just take Kevin with you. Please."

Her face went dark. All I could see in her eyes was disappointment and disgust. "You've ruined that boy. All he does is lie. Starting today, I'm cutting off your living expenses until the two of you admit you were wrong and swear on your lives that you'll never hurt Caleb again."

She slammed the door on her way out. She never looked back at me or my dad.

After that, I worked odd jobs everywhere I could. Life was hard, but we got by. My dad's condition even stabilized for a while with help from some charitable organizations.

Until...

I held back the tears burning in my eyes and looked up at my mom.

"Sarah," I said. "What will it take for you to just leave us alone?"

The restaurant went completely silent. Even the people at nearby tables put down their cutlery.

She was quiet for a long time. Her face was pale and tight.

Finally, she said just one thing, her voice low. "I want to see your father."

That one sentence made me laugh out loud. Hearing those words from her mouth made me sick.

She frowned at me like I was crazy. "What's so funny?"

"You," I said. "I'm laughing at you. At how you can still stay so nonchalant."

I wiped the corner of my eye, my voice thick with hate. "Dad is dead. He's been dead for three years."