The city was still cloaked in that heavy darkness just before dawn as I slipped out of the house without a sound. The cold wind cut like knives, so I pulled my work jacket tighter and started jogging through the park.

Sweat rolled down my face, but I did not care—only physical exhaustion seemed to dull the ache in my chest. As the first rays of sunlight stretched across the sky, I took a deep breath and turned back toward home.

Just as I reached the edge of the neighborhood, I saw a group of familiar faces walking toward me, laughing and chatting.

Mom and Dad were all smiles while Kendra walked arm in arm with Cody. He carried Eleanor in his arms, and they looked every bit like a picture-perfect family.

They were all dressed to impress—Cody in a crisp, tailored suit, his hair neatly combed, not a strand out of place.

I glanced down at my sweat-stained tank top and could not help but smile bitterly. I quickened my pace, trying to avoid them.

However, Kendra spotted me anyway. She frowned and instinctively leaned closer to Cody's side.

Mom looked me up and down, visibly displeased. "Lucas, what were you doing out so early? And you're all sweaty—what a mess."

Kendra covered her nose, her face screaming that I reeked.

Dad let out a sigh. "Lucas, you've been back for a while now. Where are you working these days? Did the government assign you a job?"

Cody jumped in before I could answer. "Dad, Mom, don't push him. The job market's rough right now, and with Lucas's unique background, it's not easy for companies to afford someone like him."

Then, he turned to me, his voice dripping with false concern. "Still, don't be too picky. Even security guard jobs in this area are getting competitive. You should at least find some work to have a steady income!"

"Who told you I don't have a job?" I shot back, my voice ice cold.

"Come on, Lucas. No need to act tough," Cody gave me a friendly smile, "I know some big-time business owners. I can talk to them if you want, maybe I can help you land something decent."

There was condescension in every word, and it lit a fire in my chest.

Yet, before I could reply, Dad chimed in again. "So what if you're smart? Just look at yourself. You'll never compare to Cody."

The blow hit harder than I expected. There was a time when Dad used to beam with pride whenever I won awards or brought home top grades.

He would throw banquets in the village just to show me off, bragging that I was the pride of our village. But now, all I saw in his eyes was disappointment and disgust.

"Dad!" I opened my mouth, wanting to explain that the government did not abandon me.

They wanted me back in the lab. After this last successful assignment, I was awarded a hefty research grant and a performance bonus. The agency even promised me special treatment in basic living arrangements.

I gained far more than they could ever imagine.

However, Dad waved me off before I could say another word. "Enough! We're heading to brunch. You're all sweaty and gross, so don't bother tagging along."

Mom was already in the car, calling out from a distance. "Hurry up! That place doesn't hold reservations. We're going to be late!"

I stood there, watching them drive away without me. They treated me like an outsider, but that was fine. The country still needed me, and my team still believed in me.

If they did not want me anymore, I would fulfill their wishes.

I opened my eyes just as the first light of morning touched the sky. It was the day Dad had his follow-up appointment at the hospital.

I only recently found out he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and would need to take medication long-term. When I stepped into the living room, Dad was already sitting on the couch, waiting.

"Dad, let me take you to the hospital today," I said quietly.

He glanced up at me with a cold expression. He replied stiffly, "No need. Cody's picking me up."

I hesitated. "But I scheduled the appointment with a top specialist—"

Dad let out a bitter chuckle. "You? Do you even have those kinds of connections? It was Cody's doing. Don't try to take the credit. You've been gone for years, and now you come back lying to our faces?"

He added, "Lucas, try being honest for once. Stop trying to impress people by making things up."

I stood there with my head bowed, silently swallowing his scorn.

Before long, the sound of the front door closing echoed through the quiet house. I slowly looked up, staring at the empty living room.

The sunlight streaming in was still warm, but it did nothing to melt the chill inside me. I sank into the couch and rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of it all.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, and a new notification popped up on the screen. I tapped it open without thinking.

[Your card ending in 5587 has been charged 158,600 dollars.]

It was the secondary credit card I gave Kendra. She must have seen a recent deposit and decided to go on a shopping spree.

My heart sank, as if something cold wrapped around it and tightened. I originally planned to use this money to buy the family a bigger house, provide for my parents' retirement, spend the rest of my life with Kendra, and help Cody build his own family.

But now, those numbers on the screen felt completely meaningless.

...

I stood in a dim hallway at the local TV studio, my phone screen glowing sharply in the low light. A message from my supervisor popped up.

[I heard you signed up again for the national defense program? You've been away from home so long. Why not spend a little more time with your family?]

I immediately replied, [Thanks for your concern, sir, but I'd prefer to head back to base as soon as possible.]

At that moment, I felt more certain than I had in years.

The noise around me faded into the background. Parents bustled by, holding their kids' hands as they made their way toward the recording stage with excited chatter.

I leaned against the doorframe and watched it all from a distance. Suddenly, a familiar scent drifted through the air.

I looked up and saw Kendra and Cody walking in, just barely on time. There was still a faint flush on Kendra's face, and a dark red mark peeked out from her collar. She quickly tugged at her neckline, avoiding my gaze.

Cody, on the other hand, looked relaxed—almost smug—as he strolled in with a faint smile. Our gaze met, and I caught a flash of challenge in his eyes.

Kendra lowered her head and hurried over to me. "Sorry, I'm late. Is the rehearsal over?"

I did not respond, just staring at her with a cold, empty look.

Cody stepped in and patted my shoulder. "Lucas, don't be mad. We got held up by something, that's all."

His voice was casual, tinged with smugness. However, I was already thinking ahead, and the thought of what was about to happen warmed my frozen expression just a little.

"Let's go. The show is starting," I said as I turned toward the stage.

...

Our so-called family of three stood on stage and performed a cheerful kids' song called Counting Ducks. When Eleanor forgot the lyrics halfway through, Kendra jumped in quickly to help her finish the verse.

The performance went off without a hitch.

After the song, the host came up with a beaming smile and began introducing our family to the audience. Then, she knelt and spoke sweetly to Eleanor.

"You were amazing, sweetie! Did Mommy and Daddy teach you that song?"

Eleanor nodded shyly. "Yeah."

The host said with a smile, "That's wonderful! Can you tell everyone what Mommy's and Daddy's names are?"

My heart clenched.

Eleanor tilted her head, thinking carefully. "Mommy's name is Kendra Clarkson."

"And what about Daddy?"

"Daddy's name is Cody Baldwin."

For a split second, the entire venue fell into stunned silence. Right behind us, the big screen proudly displayed our family's names—Lucas, not Cody.

I felt countless eyes piercing me like needles. Kendra's face went deathly pale as she looked at me nervously.

Years of scientific training taught me to remain composed under pressure, but inside, I was on fire.

Yet, it was not anger- it was excitement. Right then, I knew I could not keep quiet any longer.

I raised the microphone in my hand, emotions crashing in waves—rage, disappointment, pain, and an overwhelming disgust at the lie they all built.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, a voice barked from the back of the room.

"Lucas, what do you think you're doing?!"

I looked toward the audience and saw Dad standing, face flushed, eyes filled with both fear and warning. His neck stiffened as he stared at me, seeming to silently warn me that if I said one more word, I would no longer be his son.

I looked at him coldly, my gaze sweeping over every familiar yet strange face in the audience below. Without hesitation anymore, I spoke the truth into that cold metal microphone.