After my son’s surgery, I stayed overnight at the hospital. While keeping watch, I scrolled through my phone and came across a post.

[What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?]

An anonymous user replied. [I used the senior who sponsored me as a stepping stone.]

[My sponsor was rich and clueless. He paid for my entire college education, and after I graduated, I slept with his wife. She even had my child.]

[The best part is that he treats my son like his own. He works himself to exhaustion just to set that kid up for life.]

[By the way, his family just received three million from the relocation compensation. My lover will be here soon. She’ll pretend we need it for a school district apartment and trick him into giving it to us.]

[Once the cash is in hand and the villa is bought, I’ll have my son acknowledge me as his real father and then throw my sponsor out of the house.]

A blurry photo of a little boy was attached.

My heart skipped a beat.

On his wrist was the safety charm I had given my son.

Just then, my wife pushed open the hospital room door.

“Honey, Xeno is starting elementary school soon. Let’s take your mom’s compensation money from the relocation and use it to buy a place in a good school district.”

Wendy Lane looked at me. Insatiable greed filled her gaze.

I looked at her with an uneasy sense of unfamiliarity.

Seeing me staring blankly, she stepped closer. “What’s wrong? Are you tired?”

“No.” I forced down the rising nausea and turned to touch Xeno Franklin’s head.

The child I had raised for six years turned his head away to avoid my hand. He glanced past Wendy and asked, “Mom, where’s Mr. Carter? Didn’t he say he would come see me?”

He was openly cold and distant with me, but completely warm and affectionate when he mentioned Matthew Carter.

A sharp pang stabbed my heart again.

“He’ll be here soon,” Wendy said with a reassuring smile. She turned to me and got straight to the point. “Honey, about the school district apartment, you…”

My voice was tight. “Even the older apartments near the top elementary school cost 6,000 to 7,000 dollars per square foot. 3,000,000 dollars won’t even cover the down payment. That’s a huge burden.”

“Oh, honey, you have to keep the long-term in mind!” Wendy interrupted me. “Investing in Xeno’s education is the best investment for his future. Why worry about the monthly payment? Isn’t your company still bringing in profit?”

“But—”

“No buts!” Wendy frowned, and her voice grew sharp. “Jason, just answer this. What matters more, Xeno or money? You’re not refusing to spend on Xeno, are you?”

Her words stabbed me like a needle.

For six years, I had given everything to this family and to Xeno. She knew that better than anyone.

She had used these facts to corner me.

I clenched the bedsheet and was about to speak when the door opened again.

Matthew walked in carrying a fruit basket. “How’s Xeno? I was so worried!”

He went straight to the other side of the bed and watched Xeno closely. The concern in his eyes looked even more genuine than mine as a father.

Wendy’s face softened immediately. “The doctor said the surgery went very well. It was really hard on him.”

“Surgery is painful,” Matthew turned to me and said in a matter-of-course tone, “Jason, you need to get him plenty of nice things to help him recover.”

When I did not respond, he continued, “By the way, I think I overheard you talking about a school district apartment at the door.”

Wendy quickly chipped in. “I was just discussing it with Jason. I was thinking we could use his mom’s relocation compensation to buy a place in the district of a top elementary school, but Jason had some concerns.”

Matthew frowned. “Jason, you really need to listen to Wendy. Xeno’s future is the most important factor. He’s so smart. He can’t afford to fall behind right from the start.

“Don’t you agree, Xeno?”

Xeno looked at Matthew and pouted. He whined, “Mr. Carter… it hurts…”

“Good boy, I’m here.” Matthew immediately took Xeno’s hand and spoke softly to comfort him. He added, “Xeno, you’re about to start elementary school. Your mom wants to get you a really nice school district apartment so you can go to the best school. Aren’t you excited?”

Even though it still hurt, Xeno nodded when he heard “the best school.”

He looked at me, and his voice was full of spoiled frustration. “Dad, Mom and Mr. Carter only want what’s best for me. Why won’t you agree? Harry’s dad sold his car just so he could go to school. You only care about money. You never think about me.”

My heart sank completely.

I had raised this son for six years.

He said words that hurt me deeply, even though I had stayed by his bedside to take care of him.

Wendy looked on with a smug expression, as if to say, “See, even your son understands.”

Matthew gently patted Xeno’s hand. When his eyes met mine, there was a hint of satisfaction and mockery.

The three of them acted in perfect sync.

And me? I felt like a petty, selfish villain standing in the way of Xeno’s future.

The hospital room was quiet for a few seconds.

I chuckled. “You’re right.”

Wendy and Matthew froze for a moment and looked at me.

I relaxed my grip on the blanket and calmly said, “Xeno’s future matters the most.”

Wendy’s eyes lit up. “Honey, you agree?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and smiled. “I’ll go to the bank tomorrow and transfer the money. I’ll leave the school district apartment to you. Pick the best one.”

“That’s more like it!” Wendy was overjoyed.

Matthew smiled too. His face was bright as he said, “Jason, it’s great that you finally see some sense. Xeno is really lucky to have parents who care so much about him.”

Xeno grunted and turned his head. He seemed only mildly satisfied.

Watching them all so smug and triumphant, the last trace of warmth in my heart froze completely.

Matthew, Wendy, and that ungrateful Xeno all loved to put on a show.

They thought I was naive, rich, and easy to fool.

Fine. I would let them have their fun and let them perform as much as they wanted.

…

From that day on, I became the “most sensible” person in this family.

The relocation compensation was transferred the next day to an account Wendy had designated.

It was a new joint account she had opened, supposedly “for family investments,” but only she knew the password.

She wasted no time. A week later, she had already chosen a highly sought-after apartment near the top elementary school, a 2,000-square-foot flat, priced at 8,000 dollars per square foot.

“Honey, this unit has a great layout and a good floor. The developer still has a few internal units left. They offer a discount for full payment. We can’t miss this!”

She excitedly held up the floor plan and gestured at it. “Full payment is 16,000,000. We can use our 3,000,000 as the down payment. For the rest, maybe you can get a mortgage through your company or cash in some of your investments and stocks.”

She was greedy.

She did not just want my mother’s relocation compensation. She wanted to drain me of everything.

I frowned. “Getting a mortgage through the company is difficult right now. The investments aren’t due yet. Maybe we should get a loan and go for a smaller place to start with.”

“A smaller place won’t do.” Wendy was not happy. “Either we don’t buy, or we buy the best. How else can it match Xeno? Jason, stop hesitating. What’s a little risk when it is for Xeno?”

Right then, Matthew happened to come by to see Xeno. Hearing this, he jumped in to support her.

“Exactly, Jason. When it comes to buying a home, it’s best to get it right the first time. Later, Xeno could even use it when he gets married. Money can always be made. But if you miss the right environment for his education, it’s gone forever.”

Xeno kicked the couch and yelled, “I want a big house! Xavier from my class has a 2,000-square-foot home with a toy room. I want the same!”

I looked at Xeno. He was spoiled beyond all limits. I lowered my eyes and gave in. “All right. I’ll find a way.”

“Thank you, honey,” Wendy said as she wrapped her arms around me. Her tone sounded “sincere.”

“Xeno and I won’t forget everything you’ve done for this family.”

Her false sweetness made my stomach turn.

She suddenly changed her tone.

“Oh, right. Since this is a school district apartment, the property deed should be in Xeno’s name only. It will all eventually belong to him.”

I did not answer right away. My fingers curled slightly at my side.

Matthew quickly chimed in with a light and upbeat tone, “That’s a great idea, Wendy. Putting it in Xeno’s name makes the most sense. He can even use it as his wedding home in the future.”

I sneered inside, but my expression remained compliant.

“Sure. Let’s do as you say and put it in Xeno’s name.”

Wendy and Matthew exchanged glances. The same flash of delight appeared in both their eyes.

They probably believed that once Xeno’s name was on the deed, the house would fully belong to them.

They did not know that I had already prepared a big surprise for them.

…

After that, they only grew more brazen.

Wendy often asked me for large amounts of cash under the guise of “furnishing loans” or “making connections.” My savings dwindled at a rate that was impossible to ignore.

Matthew started coming over more frequently. He walked into my home as if it belonged to him.

He criticized my housework, complained that the groceries I bought were not fresh, and said the meals I cooked did not suit Xeno’s taste.

He even “accidentally” touched the luxury watches on my desk and wore the new clothes in my closet that still had the tags on.

“Jason, this color is too dull for you. It doesn’t suit you. I’m slimmer, so it fits me better. No need to waste it.”

He stood in front of the mirror, dressed in my expensive suit, and combed his hair.

I nodded. “If you like it, take it.”

Xeno grew increasingly impatient with me.

Everything related to his daily life needed Matthew’s approval.

He constantly said things like, “Mr. Carter said” or “Mr. Carter bought this for me.”

The limited-edition LEGO set I prepared for him was tossed into a corner. “Mr. Carter promised to take me overseas. That is much better than this stupid toy.”

Wendy no longer bothered to hide anything. She openly flirted with Matthew right in front of me.

One time, I came home early and caught Matthew walking out of the master bathroom in my pajamas.

“Jason, you’re back already? I used the bathroom. The water heater at my place is broken,” he shamelessly said. His hair was still wet.

Wendy stepped out of the study and frowned. “Jason, why didn’t you call before coming home? You scared us.”

I stood there and slowly curled up my lips. “Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

The apartment’s paperwork went through quickly. Before signing the contract, we needed to confirm the name on the property deed.

I picked up the pen and wrote Xeno’s name in the name field.

The pen scraped across the paper. At that moment, the last trace of warmth in my heart disappeared.

“All set.” I handed the contract back.

Wendy checked it carefully. When she confirmed there were no issues, a wide smile spread across her face.

I looked at her calmly. In my heart, I swore I would make them pay for betraying me.

…

All the paperwork for the apartment was finally complete.

Wendy held the property deed with shaking hands. The joy on her face was impossible to hide.

She waved her hand and said, “This is such a big occasion! We have to celebrate. This weekend, we’ll hold a housewarming party at the new place and invite all our friends and family!”

She exchanged a look with Matthew, and a sharp glint appeared in her eyes.

I knew it. She was not going to hold back any longer.

That weekend, the spacious apartment in the top school district was filled with guests.

Matthew wore a brand-new suit. Wendy was in a champagne-colored dress with flawless makeup. Standing together, they looked like a perfectly matched couple.