Chapter 2

I turned my head stiffly. I tensed up when I saw the woman at the door.

She wore an off-white cashmere coat. Her makeup was delicately done. Her hair was permed in a stylish curl.

She was my wife, Sloane, whom I had missed dearly for over thirty years.

The man beside her wore a dark gray suit with a tie. His hair was meticulously combed.

I recognized him at once. It was Wallace.

Back in the day, he was a loafer in the neighborhood. He often stole things and harassed widows. He even served two years in prison.

When Aiden saw them, he rushed over and sweetly called out, “Grandma! Grandpa!”

Lily also stepped forward to greet them.

They gathered together affectionately. I stood off to the side, like a complete outsider.

Sloane glanced at me and casually instructed, “What are you standing there for? Make more food. Do you think this is enough for everyone?”

I stared at her.

My voice came out hoarse as I asked, “Sloane, don’t you have anything to say to me? Anything to explain?”

“Explain what?”

Sloane rolled her eyes impatiently.

“It’s a happy family reunion. Why bring up the past? Do you want to ruin the mood? You’re seventy years old. Why do you keep looking for things to be miserable about? Who do you think is going to put up with you?”

Aiden kicked my stool over.

“Get in the kitchen and cook, you freak! Uncle Wallace has a weak stomach. He can’t be left hungry!”

Lily patted Aiden’s hair proudly.

“Look at you, such a good kid. Don’t ever grow up like that lame old man. He’s old, ugly, and he can’t even speak our language. No one wants anything to do with him. Now look at Grandpa Wallace. He’s dignified, successful, and well-off. That’s who you should look up to.”

Aiden grew even more smug. He hugged Wallace’s leg.

“I don’t want that ugly grandpa! Grandpa Wallace is my real grandpa. He’s handsome and buys me toys. He’s a hundred times better!”

Wallace was on cloud nine. He smiled and took out an exquisite pocket watch.

“Good boy. This is a Swiss pocket watch. Grandpa brought it just for you.”

Aiden excitedly examined it.

Wayne quickly said, “Say thank you. You have to know your manners when someone gives you something expensive.”

Aiden swiftly thanked Wallace sweetly.

“Ah, my sweet grandchild.”

When I saw this, I became so furious that I lost my composure. I violently flipped the table over.

“Nobody eats!”

Plates shattered on the floor. Gravy and soup splashed onto Sloane’s cashmere coat.

She screamed, “Alvin, are you out of your mind?! This coat costs a fortune. Can you even afford to replace it?”

Wallace also dropped his smile. His expression darkened.

“Alvin, don’t push your luck. We only came to this dinner for Aiden’s sake. Rather than show gratitude, you would flip the table?”

Wayne rushed over and shoved me.

“Dad! What’s wrong with you? We’re trying to have a nice meal, and you flip the table?”

I was already unsteady with a lame leg. The push made me stumble, nearly causing me to fall.

Instead of feeling guilty, Wayne simply looked annoyed.

“This is what I hate about you. You act like it’s my fault you have a limp!”

My heart turned ice-cold.

I had gone through so much hardship while raising him.

I grabbed a broom handle and swung it at them.

“Get out! All of you, get out of my house! This is my house. I won’t have you all being so disrespectful here!”