Chapter 3 It's Not Worth It

My head buzzed, and I froze. I worked myself to the bone for Tina's family for two years. I pulled one all-nighter after another just to help her. I was so tired that fainting from exhaustion had become another Tuesday for me.

Even so, I never complained because I did it all for her.

She used to worry about my working too much, so she made supplements for me every day. She had never cooked once in her life, but she would do it for my sake. In the beginning, her hands were always covered in burns and cuts. Yet, she never once complained.

Now, she had just hit me for a fake heir who'd stolen my life for 20 years.

Mr. Zimmer couldn't take that lying down, not even for a second. He shoved Tina away and stood with me. "Oi, you could've talked it out! There's no need for violence! And you expect Mr. Damian to say sorry? If anything, it's you who's gone too far!"

"How dare you shove Tina!" Chris roared, seeing the perfect chance to play the knight in shining armor. Then, he swung his fist at Mr. Zimmer's temple.

He was trained in boxing two years ago, while Mr. Zimmer wasn't as young as he once was. If this punch were to connect, he'd have to be hospitalized. I couldn't allow one of mine to be pushed around.

"Look out!" My pupils narrowed, and I charged ahead to push Mr. Zimmer away. Alas, Chris didn't stop. So, the punch connected with my shoulder. My left shoulder screamed in agony.

It was clear Chris hadn't pulled his punches. It hurt so bad that I thought my bones were breaking.

Pain was making me sweat, but I raised my good hand and punched Chris in the kisser in retaliation.

"Stop! Stop!" The other guys, who were working overtime, noticed the commotion and rushed to pull us apart.

Chris quickly covered his face and gasped in pain. "My face! It hurts! Tell me I'm not disfigured, Mom!" His eyes were red and glistening with tears. Apparently, the pain was so bad that it nearly made him cry. He certainly went crying for Mommy.

Tina and my mother quickly went over to him, but they didn't even spare me a glance.

My mother gently wiped his perfectly unscathed face, but her eyes were filled with heartbreak. "Don't be silly! You're my perfect boy. You'd never be disfigured."

I was her biological son.

I held my shoulder and looked at Tina. I thought she would at least show some concern, but she didn't.

"Must you do this, Damian?" The look of disappointment in her eyes hit me hard. "He just took over, and you're already here leading your men to flex on him. Must you turn the company into a battlefield?"

Mr. Zimmer only spoke for me because he couldn't stand seeing me getting insulted, but this woman thought I was the one starting the fight.

"He started it! Are you seriously going to ignore that and make up your own conclusions?" I stared at Tina in disbelief.

Chris was lying in my mother's embrace. He held Tina's hand, still looking hurt. "This is all my fault. I just came home, and these people have worked for Damian forever. Of course, they won't listen to me."

"You're a very impulsive man, Damian." Tina frowned at me.

"You disappoint me," my mother said sternly. "Give all your work and client details to Chris from tomorrow onward. Don't get in our way. If I knew you'd turn out the way you are, I'd never have taken you back."

They were making me and Mr. Zimmer look like the villains here. It had been two years. I tried my best to blend into the family for two years, to help Tina. I'd never gotten a good night's sleep just to gain their approval. In the end, they still saw me as a useless outsider.

Mr. Zimmer held up my nearly dislocated arm and rasped softly, "Let's go, Mr. Damian. This place isn't worth it."

I nodded. My voice was equally soft as I murmured, "Yeah."

Having a wedding blessed by my parents under the aurora borealis of Frostground was nothing but a fantasy I had. Now, that dream had burst into bubbles. It was time for me to wake up.

…

I had my injuries tended at the hospital. It was already late at night when I was done. I declined Mr. Zimmer's offer to take me home. Then, I went back to the house Tina and I bought for our marriage.

I wanted to take back my stuff and bury the two years behind me, but I heard a repressed moan coming from the main bedroom as soon as I entered. "W-We can't do this, Chris."

My hand froze in midair.