All Chapters of My Father’s Delusions About Victory: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I took a deep breath, my nails digging hard into my palm.“Dad, if what you just said is true, then you broke the law.”Ken Zimmer shook his head and let out a mocking laugh.“Joe, who are you trying to scare? Even if I did break the law, who’s going to believe you? Your word alone?“Even if you go looking for your real family, I can just say the babies were accidentally switched at the hospital. What can you do about it? Do you really think the city’s wealthiest family would give up Victor and choose you instead?“Enough. I did raise you for nineteen years, after all. Finish this meal, then go off to that mediocre college of yours. I’ll give you ten thousand dollars for living expenses. After that, we’re even.”With that, he stopped paying attention to me and lowered his head to eat.I forced down the ache spreading through my chest and finally poured myself a glass of liquor too.“Fine, Mr. Zimmer.“After this meal, we’re even.”For as long as I could remember, Ken had look

By the time I woke up, the physics competition was long over.I rushed home like a madman and demanded to know why Ken had given me spoiled milk.Then I saw the comment he had just left under Victor’s post.“Don’t worry, Victor. You’ll definitely place in the competition. I’ll be praying for you. I won’t let anyone get in your way.”My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a loud clatter.The last bit of trust I still had in Ken was gone.Victor didn’t place in that competition.Ken glanced at me and let out a quiet sigh.“What a shame. If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve had you tutor Victor first.”I forced down my hatred and applied to live on campus.After I moved into the dorms, Ken never texted me. The only time he reached out was when Victor got sick and missed school. Then he would ask me for updates.I buried myself in practice problems and studied so hard it scared my classmates.Then, on New Year’s Eve of senior year, Ken came looking for me f

After the plane landed, Ken followed the location tag Victor had posted online and found his villa in Atelia without any trouble.Standing outside the front gate, Ken nervously straightened his collar and took several deep breaths.Then he sent Victor a private message.“Victor, it’s me. Uncle Ken.“No, not Uncle Ken.“I’m your father.“I came to see you.”A few moments later, the gate opened.Victor walked out slowly, wearing a limited-edition jersey that cost more than most people made in a year.The second he saw Ken, disgust and fear flashed across his face.“It’s you? What are you doing here?”“Victor, I know this might be hard for you to accept, but I’m your father.”Ken stepped toward him with red-rimmed eyes, his voice shaking with excitement.“Nineteen years ago, at the maternity ward, I switched the babies. You’re my biological son!”The next second, Steven and his wife walked out through the gate.They stood side by side behind Victor, their posture protective

Day after day, life moved on.With scholarships and tutoring jobs, I made it all the way to senior year. I even earned a spot in an overseas exchange program.That night, I studied late at the library.When I got back to the dorm, a hunched figure shifted under the streetlight.“Joe?”I whipped around and found myself staring into Ken’s weathered face.Four years had passed.He was out of prison.“Joe, it’s Dad.”He took two steps toward me.My expression instantly turned cold.“Mr. Zimmer, what do you want?”The way I addressed him seemed to cut him deep. He reached out, trying to grab my hand.“Joe, Dad was wrong. I’m sorry. I got everything wrong before. You’re my biological son!“I had no idea you got into Frangelia University. That’s my son. I knew you’d make something of yourself.”I took a deep breath and stepped back, putting distance between us.“Mr. Zimmer, I’m not your Joe anymore. I have a family now. My name is Ray Lincoln.“As for what you did to me in th