Chapter 2

His condescending tone made me laugh bitterly.

My temper boiled over, and I typed a reply directly.

[What? So you *do* know you shouldn’t have taken it? If he treats you like his real dad, then I’ll step aside. From now on, he’s your son! Isn’t that perfect?]

David Stone’s chat box showed “typing…” for a long time.

In the end, not a single word was sent.

I sat on the sofa, looking at the empty apartment, and couldn't hold back my tears.

How could a person end up like this?

After being betrayed by my wife and my own brother, even my only son stabbed me in the back. What else is this but being completely alone and betrayed?

…

In the darkness, I dreamt of my first half of life.

Married for 24 years, I hadn't lived a single day for myself.

At first, I tried desperately to be good to my wife, only for her to get involved with my own brother.

Later, I devoted myself to my son, only for him to leave me with nothing.

When I opened my eyes again, I looked at the paltry four-figure balance on my phone and the payment reminder from the social security office, finding it utterly absurd.

I should have cried for myself.

But I didn’t.

I opened a local job search app, carefully sifting through suitable positions.

From now on, every penny I earned would no longer be for anyone else.

Only for myself.

They say children are your retirement plan.

But now, even my own son couldn't be relied upon. Who else could I rely on? Only myself!

The next morning, I finalized an agreement with a high-end property management company, taking on a live-in house manager position, with food and accommodation included. I started packing my luggage.

Kevin Miller had a lot of things, and I sorted them out too.

Since I decided to cut ties with this ungrateful wretch, I might as well be thorough.

I was still debating whether to call him to pick up his stuff when the door was pushed open with a bang.

Kevin Miller stormed in, fuming.

“Dad, are you crazy?! I already told you, if I needed cash, I could just do some freelance work. Why would you become a live-in house manager? Isn’t that embarrassing?!”

“You packed all your bags and didn’t even tell me?”

“If the property management company hadn’t sent the contract confirmation to my email, I would still be in the dark!”

I watched him explode, expressionless.

While he caught his breath, I pointed to the pile of packages on the floor.

“Perfect timing. All of this is your stuff. Take it with you.”

His face immediately turned ashen.

“What do you mean? Are you really kicking me out? Just because I object to you becoming a house manager?”

“Dad, you’re almost fifty, can’t you use your brain?!”

“If people find out that my dad, Kevin Miller’s dad, is working as a house manager, how am I supposed to show my face after that?!”

I stopped what I was doing, looking at him, feeling a bit estranged.

“Is that so? What do your feelings of shame have to do with me?”

“You only think about yourself. Have you ever considered my situation?”

Kevin Miller’s brows furrowed, “What situation could you possibly be in?”

“I’m working myself to the bone out there, and you’re living comfortably at home. What more do you want?”

I couldn't help but sneer.

“Kevin Miller! Did I raise you to be too naive?!”

“The little money I earned from odd jobs all these years, you completely drained it before the end of each month. Now I only have a few thousand bucks left in my account!”

“How many times has the social security office sent payment reminders? Do you understand what that means?!”

Kevin Miller looked impatient.

“Didn’t I tell you? You have me as a son; that crappy insurance is a waste of money!”

“Do you really think I’d abandon you when you’re old?”

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble you.”

“You still have to impress your mom and her lover. What about me?”