As soon as I put the key in the lock, the door swung open. I could hear the exhaust fan buzzing loudly in the kitchen, and my mom's face lit up with joy.

That expression could only mean one thing. William Quinn was here.

William was my biological father.

But he had a family of his own. He was married to a wealthy woman. My mom wasn’t his ex-wife. She was his secret lover.

William grew up with old-fashioned values, believing that a family wasn’t complete without a son. However, his wife only wanted one child, and after having a daughter, she decided to have a tubal ligation. He felt powerless at home, and shortly after his wife’s decision, he turned to my mom.

My mom was madly in love with him. She was willing to stay hidden in the background for his sake, even making me pretend to be a boy to keep him around.

When I was younger, I thought she would eventually let me be myself and break things off with him. But as I grew older, I realized that day might never come.

So, I decided to make her choose between him and me.

My mom welcomed me in, her face beaming. “Alex, you’re home!”

She spoke loudly, “Your dad’s here. Go say hi to him. He’s been missing you.”

I changed into my slippers silently.

She lowered her voice, annoyed, “Be nicer to your dad. He doesn’t visit often!”

I looked at her. “Mom, something’s burning.”

“Oh no!” She slapped her forehead and rushed back to the kitchen.

I glanced over at William. He was sprawled out on the living room couch, watching TV and snacking on peanuts. The shells were scattered all over the spotless tile floor.

......

When he saw me, he smiled and nodded toward a gift box on the coffee table in front of him. “Alex, I got you a watch. You’re about to step into the real world. You need to make a good impression.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He shifted on the couch, sitting up a bit straighter. “You’ve graduated now. You’re a grown man. You need to learn how to handle yourself! Every time I visit, you’re so distant. I’m your father! Do you think I’d do anything to hurt you?”

“I don’t.”

He stared at me, momentarily speechless, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. “I know you’re upset that I can’t be here with you and your mom, but I’m doing everything I can for you both. Otherwise, how could we afford such a big house?”

“I don’t blame you.”

At that moment, my mom called from the kitchen, “Dinner’s ready!”

He pushed himself up from the couch, and I headed to the dining table.

I went to the kitchen to grab some utensils. When I returned, he stretched lazily. Seeing me, he patted my shoulder. “Why are you still so skinny? Didn’t I tell you to start going to the gym last time?”

He spoke as he sat down.

My mom quickly placed some meat on my plate. “He just doesn’t eat enough.”

He looked at me, waiting for my response.

I lowered my head and took a bite of potato. “It takes time.”

He nodded, satisfied. “You need to stick with it! You look too frail.” He chuckled, “Once my son has the body and the looks, he’ll have girls chasing after him in no time!”

My mom smiled happily, her lips pursed in contentment. “Of course, our son is handsome! Plus, he graduated from a top university. You’ve got good genes, William!”

He nodded in approval.

He couldn’t stay the night. By a little after seven, he was gone.

My mom cleaned up the dining table and tidied the mess he had left in the living room. Before long, she came over and knocked on my door, holding the gift box in her hand.

“Look how much your dad cares about you. He spent tens of thousands on this watch without even thinking twice. Try it on and see if it fits!”

I took it from her and set it on the desk as I walked into my room. “Mom, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Go ahead,” she said, patting my hand and looking at me expectantly.

“Come abroad with me,” I said seriously, holding her hand, which was slightly damp with sweat.

Her brows furrowed instantly.

My heart sank.

“For what? And what about your dad? What’s he supposed to do if we leave?” Her expression turned impatient, as if she couldn’t grasp what I was saying.

I let go of her hand and tried to keep my voice steady. “Mom… we can’t keep living like this forever.”

She had spent her life being his secret lover. I had spent mine pretending to be his son. But he wasn’t the center of our world.

“Alex…” She looked at me like I was a stranger. “How can you even think like that? Your dad has done so much for us!

“Look at this house and the car. He bought all of it for us. And those gifts he gives you, every single one of them is expensive. He loves us so much. If we leave the country and he can’t see us for a year or more, how upset do you think he’ll be?”

I spoke softly. “That’s only because he thinks I’m his son. Mom, are you planning to make me pretend to be someone I’m not for the rest of my life, just for him?”

A long silence followed.

After a while, I broke it, speaking gently, “Mom, I’ve received several offers from universities abroad. I want you to come with me. We can give back the house, the car, and everything he’s given us. I’ve saved up some money during college. We can start fresh overseas and live a life we can be proud of.”

I took her hand and pleaded softly, “Trust me, in a few years, I’ll make sure you have a better life.”

But she yanked her hand away and, before I could react, slapped me across the face.

“Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you talking about?! You are not going abroad!” Her voice rose, screaming at me hysterically.

Her face twisted with rage, and she looked terrifying. “A fresh start?! What’s wrong with you? Are you ashamed of your mother’s money? Let me tell you something, Alex! Anyone else can judge me, but not you, because I’m the one who raised you!”

She shot me a furious glare, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I sighed, “Mom…”

......

Maybe I had anticipated this reaction all along.

But I still couldn’t help holding onto some hope.

Now that she refused to leave with me, I would have to go alone. I would try again once I was settled abroad.

Just then, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen. It was Felix.

“Hey, Felix,” I answered.

There was silence on the other end.

Just as I started wondering if he had called by mistake, his deep voice finally came through the line, “Alex, come over to my place tomorrow.”

I hummed in agreement. “Is something up?”

Felix replied, “Let’s have dinner.”

“Sure. Should we invite Hunter and Zac too?”

“No need.”

I gripped my phone a little tighter, my heart inexplicably starting to beat faster. “Alright.”