Chapter 2

Claire came back with Caleb. She couldn't even wait to step inside before rushing to share the good news with me.

"The Lancaster family said they're sending someone on Christmas Eve to pick up the new heir. You should help pack Caleb's things."

I sat quietly on the couch and gave her a calm nod. "Perfect timing. Let's sign the papers."

Claire's smile faded. Her eyes landed on the divorce papers already sitting on the coffee table. She froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. "You already prepared them?"

I nodded, keeping my tone steady. "Didn't you say they were coming for him on Christmas Eve? You might as well start getting things ready."

A flicker of guilt crossed her face. "Timothy, there's no need to rush. As long as Lincoln acknowledges Caleb..."

I waved her off. "If Caleb's going to be publicly recognized as a Lancaster, he needs to be the legitimate son. If you don't marry Lincoln, people will laugh at you."

"Mom! He's right! Just hurry up and divorce him! Then, you can marry Lincoln!" Caleb was holding a brand new remote-controlled sports car—clearly a gift from Lincoln.

He looked up at me smugly, his eyes filled with disdain. "Hey, Timothy. If you know what's good for you, you'll just let us go."

"Caleb!" Claire scolded him. "Don't be rude. Even if I do take you into the Lancaster family, Timothy will always be your father. You'll just have two dads from now on..."

"I don't want that!" Caleb turned around and spat at me. "Why would I want a dad like you? You've got no money and no power! All you do is cook at home. My dad should be someone like Lincoln, who's the heir to a fortune!"

Then, he made a face and ran off. As he passed by the old toy car on the floor—the one I gave him last Christmas—he stomped on it until it shattered into pieces. "I'm done with this cheap junk!"

He had a new toy now. Why would he care about the one I gave him?

What he didn't know was that the car I gave him was a limited-edition collector's model. It was worth several times more than the real car that Lincoln had used to pick him up from school that day.

"Timothy..." Claire looked at me uneasily. "Don't take it to heart. Lincoln hasn't seen Caleb in years, so he's spoiling him a little. Caleb's just a kid. He's still figuring things out. I believe he'll come around and treat you better eventually."

"I understand. I won't take it out on a child." I pushed the divorce papers toward her. "Let's just get this signed."

Claire hesitated. She picked up the papers, skimmed the first page without really reading it, then set them down with a troubled look and turned to head upstairs. "I'll think about it."

I couldn't explain what I felt at that moment. After everything, could she still not bring herself to cut things off cleanly?

...

It was my birthday that day.

Claire had said she'd spend the day with me, so I cooked a table full of food. However, just before dinner, she took a call and said there was an emergency at work.

"Sorry, Timothy. Something urgent came up. I'll be back later, and then we'll celebrate your birthday."

I nodded and quietly made myself a plate of pasta. I told her it was no big deal. After all, it was just a birthday. She should go handle her work.

She leaned in with a smile and tried to kiss my cheek.

I quickly dodged. "I've got oil on my face."

She giggled. "You've always liked making pasta, but it's your birthday. Why not treat yourself to something nicer?"

She had completely forgotten.

A dull ache formed in my chest.

While I sat alone eating, Lincoln showed up at the house. "I'm here to pick up Caleb. He said he wanted me to take him to his tutoring class in my new sports car."

"Appreciate it, Mr. Lancaster." I didn't look up and merely called out upstairs, "Caleb, your ride's here."

"Don't mention it. You're the one who's been raising him over all these years. I should be thanking you," Lincoln said.

The smug look on his face made my skin crawl.

"Lincoln!" Caleb came barreling down the stairs, lighting up at the sight of him.

"Caleb, listen to Mr. Lancaster on the way..."

"Don't tell me what to do! Lincoln is my real dad. I don't need you minding my business!" He threw his arms around Lincoln's neck and shot me a glare filled with hostility.

"Caleb!" Just then, my in-laws, Margaret and Oscar, who were about to leave, turned around at the door.

Margaret frowned and scolded Caleb, "That's enough. How can you talk like that?" She sighed and turned to me. "Timothy, since it's your birthday, I ordered a cake for you. We wanted to celebrate with you, but we have a business dinner at the Ridgeview Hotel tonight. Eat without us, alright?"

I felt moved, if only for a moment.

I had done everything I could for Claire and Caleb all these years, and her parents had always treated me kindly.

I had been secretly supporting the Bennetts for years and even helped them become one of the more prominent families in Marindale.

Take tonight's dinner at the Ridgeview Hotel, for example. If I hadn't called George in advance, there was no way they would have secured one of the luxury private rooms.

After they left, I called George again.

"George, my in-laws will be arriving at the hotel tonight. Look after them."

"Of course, sir. But aren't you joining them? I saw your wife, your son, and even Lincoln are already here."

At that moment, it felt like ice water was being poured down my spine.