Chapter 2

I clutched my chest, letting out a mournful gasp. "Why are you telling me this now?"

Georgina lowered her gaze and chuckled softly, her fingertips hooking my chin.

"Probably just to see the expression on your face right now."

"Back then, I dropped out of college and gave all my tuition money to Phillips, but it still wasn't enough to treat his father's illness. But your mom took advantage of the situation and forced him to be with her."

"I was just as heartbroken back then."

She swept her gaze towards Mom's portrait, her eyes glinting with a winner's disdain.

"Now, let her watch her son like this. Consider it my final revenge."

My heart was torn to shreds by those words.

Back then, I turned down an engagement arranged by my elders long ago.

I specifically fell for Georgina, who was just the owner of a small shooting club.

Mom doted on me, providing her with startup capital, connecting her with valuable contacts, showering her with resources, and supporting her company every step of the way until it became successful.

Georgina said meeting me was her greatest fortune, and that she and Mom would be the 'big trees' behind me, protecting and loving me for life.

Now another tree had fallen because of her.

Yet she told me that five years of affection was nothing but revenge.

Georgina raised a hand to wipe away my tears.

"Why are you crying? I never said I don't like you. But I couldn't protect Phillips back then, so you have to give me a chance to make up for that regret."

"Besides, you're too tame in bed. I was always afraid of hurting you, so I had to go to him to really let loose. Isn't it great that someone can share that burden with you?"

Looking at her familiar yet strange face, a chill suddenly ran down my spine.

Georgina was about to say more, but Phillips suddenly appeared and yelled,

"Enough! What does his mom's mistake have to do with him? Can't you see he's trembling?!"

He guiltily took my hand.

"Stephenson, I didn't mean to keep it from you, I just didn't want to hurt you."

"I swear, registering our marriage is just to fulfill Georgina's and my long-held wish. Once we're registered, I'll divorce her right away, okay?"

But Georgina grabbed his wrist, her voice commanding and strong.

"Impossible! I've waited five years for you; I'm not letting go this time!"

Watching her unabashedly declare her possessiveness over another man,

I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Phillips used to be our part-time driver. Like Georgina, he was only four years older than me.

His physique was as fiery as his temper, and he brought a lot of vitality to our stagnant home.

Initially, when I learned he became my mom's boyfriend, I was resistant.

But when my cousin mocked me as a fatherless bastard, Phillips grabbed a bottle and rushed over, getting his own head busted.

He said my mom was the gentlest and most beautiful person he had ever met.

Age doesn't hinder true love; he genuinely liked my mom and truly cared for me.

I slowly accepted him, treating him as a confidant, sharing all my secret thoughts.

Now he says it was all my mom's fault. How ridiculous.

"Don't touch me! You're disgusting!"

I yanked my hand away, my voice trembling.

"Get out! You'll get what's coming to you!"

Seeing me frantically wiping my hands on my clothes, Phillips's face changed.

Georgina shielded him behind her, frowning.

"Phillips already gave up the wedding for you. He just wants to register the marriage. In the eyes of outsiders, you'll still be the future man of the house."

"You're emotionally unstable right now, so it's good to calm down. Phillips can stay with me these next few days."

"But Stephenson, your mom's gone, and now I'm the only one you can rely on. Don't be so headstrong."

They left hand in hand.

In her portrait, Mom's face was still so kind.

I finally couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into tears.

"Mom, I'm so stupid, aren't I?"

"Played by my lover and friend for so long, and I dragged you into it too."

But I couldn't fall apart. Mom was gone, and someone still needed to keep the company afloat.

But the next morning, I received a text from a friend.

"Stephenson, why was your family company's sign taken down? Are you changing the name?"