Prologue

“We won’t go there, Ma,” I said with finality.

I threw her suitcase onto the bed and opened it. I pulled out her things roughly. She tried to stop me but I shook off her hand holding onto my arm.

What does she mean we would go at her fiancé’s house to live there? I don’t want to! I would never.

“Noah! Stop what you’re doing, Son!” she hysterically shouted.

I saw her picking up the items I was throwing, but I didn’t falter. I did the same with her second suitcase.

“If you don’t want to come, I won’t force you,” she said, which only made me angrier. I threw the empty suitcase. She flinched and stepped back at what I did.

I have never been this angry my whole life—especially not in front of my mother. But I just couldn’t handle it anymore. She’s been rushing things.

I’m angry. Damn it, I am furious right now.

My dad just died due to a car accident two years ago. That was just two years ago! How come she already got engaged within those years? Wasn’t she just grieving a year ago? What happened then? I wasn’t hoping she would just stay in that phase because seeing her suffer was the last thing I wanted to happen. But she’s getting married so quickly to a man she only recently met. I couldn’t keep up with everything that was happening. Besides, what if he’s a bad person?

“What? You’re leaving me too?” I smirked, but I wasn’t pleased. “For whom? For that motherfucker you just met?”

“Watch your words, Noah! Don’t call him that. He’s a good man, I promise you,” she said, trying to assure me.

“Really? How sure are you? Do you really know him that well? What if he hurts you? What if he cheats on you?” I asked out of frustration.

“I love him.”

“And what about me? You don’t love me? I am your son, Ma! Don’t tell me you’d choose him over me?” I said weakly.

She avoided my gaze. With just that, it seemed like she already answered my question even without speaking. My shoulder slumped as my hopes shattered. I rubbed my face with my hands out of frustration. I took deep breaths. I couldn’t believe this.

“Just let me be, Son... Let me be happy,” her voice pleaded. She was now crying. I looked away. I couldn’t stand seeing her cry.

“You barely even know him, Ma! What don’t you understand about what I’m saying? I’m just concerned about you! You just met him six months ago, and what? You fell in love with him that fast? Come on, what are you two? In a fucking fairytale love story who fell in love at first sight?” I couldn’t control my anger. It’s like she’s trying to make it seem that I’m the wrong one here. Couldn’t she understand that I’m just concerned?

I was stunned when her hand hit my face. My face was turned to the side from the force. My lips parted slightly, and I could taste the blood coming from them.

She never laid a hand on me before.

“Never raise your voice at me, Noah! I am still your mother! Like what I said earlier, I won’t force you to come with me if you don’t want to!” she shouted back.

“Why is it so hard for you to choose me over that man, Ma? You were never like this when dad was still here. Tell me, what happened? Huh? What happened?” I asked repeatedly. When I didn’t get an answer from her, I laughed out of frustration. In the end, I decided to just give up. “Fine! You’ll leave and go with that man? Go ahead! But don’t expect to have someone to come back to,” I said firmly before turning my back on her. I slammed the door shut.

If that’s what she wants, then fine! I am just being worried about her because I want to protect her. I almost got depressed when I found out about my father’s death. I don’t think I can handle it if it happens again.

It’s terrifying to be left alone.

“Behave, Noah...” My mom reminded me as we reached a mansion. Her fiancé’s mansion.

I’m still mad at her, but I couldn’t let her be with him in the same house without me. Something bad might happen to her. I don’t trust her fiancé.

We got out of my car and entered the mansion. Every part of it, including the furniture, was obviously worth millions. It’s so obvious that her future husband is a wealthy man. We are also well-off, but not to this extent.

When we reached the living room, there was a man sitting on the couch. He stood up when he saw us and greeted us with a smile.

“Hey there, honey.” He kissed my mom on the cheek, then he looked at me. “Is this Noah?” My mom nodded in response. “Hey there, young boy.”

I forced a smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Salvador,” I greeted him formally.

I did a bit of background check on him, so I already know who he is. He is Clyden Salvador—the CEO of one of the most successful companies in the country. Their business also performs well abroad. No wonder they are this rich.

“Stop with the formality, Noah. Your mom and I will be married in three months anyway. You better call me Dad or Uncle. Whichever you prefer.”

Before I could respond, we all turned to the grand staircase when we heard footsteps coming from there. A man in a three-piece suit stood tall there. His arms were crossed and he had a serious expression on his face.

I gulped when his gaze landed on me. His expression changed. There was something in his eyes. It was fiery. I honestly don’t like the way he’s looking at me. He looks like a predator looking at his prey. He looks like he wants to devour me.

“Noah, he’s Kayden, my son. He’s twenty-nine years old so you can call him ‘brother’,” said Mr. Salvador.

I gulped hard when I saw the corner of his upper lip rose, as if he were amused.

“I don’t like him as my brother,” he said that sent shiver down my spine.