Chapter 2

"What nonsense are you talking?!"

My mom slapped me across the face, glaring at me.

"How is Noah not your child? I think you've gone crazy, talking out of your mind!"

I clutched my face, staring at my mom in disbelief.

My mom's face flushed red, and she put her hands on her hips and yelled.

"Don't ever say those things again! What if Noah hears you and it causes him psychological trauma?

Have you forgotten how much Vanessa helped our family?

If it weren't for her, I'd have died from my illness long ago. You can't be so ungrateful!"

My emotions flared; my eyes were bloodshot as I questioned my mom.

"Mom, do you know what Vanessa did? Why are you still siding with her now?"

My mom clutched her chest, her face filled with disappointment.

"Liam, are you trying to drive me to my grave and destroy this family?"

"If you want me dead, I'll die right here for you!"

My heart ached unbearably. I tilted my head back, trying to force the tears back.

My mom immediately changed her expression, speaking earnestly.

"Just listen to me. Don't worry so much about those things.

Even if Noah isn't your biological child, he still calls you Dad, and he'll be there for you in your old age."

"Besides, Vanessa has been good to me all these years. For my sake, can you just bear with it?"

I unclenched my fists, letting my hands drop helplessly.

Yes, for all these years, Vanessa had been paying for Mom's medical expenses.

Every Mother's Day, Vanessa would also prepare gifts for Mom and send huge PayPal transfers.

It was true; Vanessa had been impeccable in her treatment of Mom.

That was precisely why I was willing to serve the paralyzed Jeremy like a dog, letting him boss me around.

My mom nudged me.

"It's time. Go give Jeremy his massage!"

I helplessly walked into Jeremy's room.

Vanessa was still there.

She pointed at me, speaking sharply.

"Why are you so late today? I told you, you need to massage Jeremy's legs every hour.

The doctor said Jeremy's recovery is going well recently; there's a high chance he'll walk again."

"If you cause Jeremy to not be able to stand, I won't let you off!"

Jeremy watched Vanessa scolding me for his sake, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He feigned vulnerability.

"Vanessa, it's understandable that Liam dislikes me and doesn't want to care for a cripple like me. Don't blame him."

Vanessa immediately grasped his hand, her face full of concern.

"I forbid you to talk about yourself like that! In my heart, you're no different from a normal person. Don't be insecure!"

Vanessa shot a dagger-like glare at me.

"Some people have no right to look down on you!"

Then she added, "Kneel down and massage his legs, Liam. Aren't slaves supposed to kneel to serve their masters?"

Yes, what was the difference between me and a slave now?

"I won't kneel."

A tremendous sense of humiliation washed over me. I clenched my fists in defiance.

Just then, Noah rushed over.

"Don't bully Daddy Jeremy, you big meanie!"

A metal airplane model struck my forehead with brutal force.

My glasses flew off.

Blood streamed into my eyes, blurring my vision with a crimson haze. I couldn't see clearly.

I desperately fumbled for my glasses, but the heel of Vanessa's high-heeled shoe crushed my fingers.

My mom also shoved me hard.

"What are you doing? Noah didn't mean to hit you. Are you going to pick a fight with a child? What kind of person are you?!"

Blood blurred my face; at this moment, my heart felt like it was bleeding too.

I choked out, "My glasses... I'm looking for my glasses."

My mom awkwardly put my crooked, shattered glasses back on my face.

"You child, why didn't you just say your glasses fell? I thought you were going to hit Noah!"

With my shattered glasses barely clinging to my face, I stumbled to my feet.

From behind, I heard Jeremy's sneering laughter.

My once-cherished son also looked at me with contempt and said, "Useless."