I snuck a glance at that woman; she still wore that haughty expression, not a hint of panic.

The coffin slowly opened, revealing Dad lying inside.

He visibly frowned at the sudden intrusion of light.

Seeing him like this, I lunged forward in front of everyone.

I cried out. "Dad, how could you be so cruel! How could you leave Mom and me!"

Then, I plunged an awl I had hidden into Dad's thigh.

The scene turned dramatic as everyone witnessed the "dead" man suddenly sit up with a loud yell.

"Ahhhhhhh! It hurts!"

My tears flowed as I watched my "resurrected" Dad.

The attendees held their breath, thinking it was a miracle.

Only Grandma glared at me with angry eyes.

Mom, flustered, hurried over. "Antony, you... you're alive?"

I quickly got up from Dad, smiling at Mom. "See, I told you Dad wasn't dead!"

Dad finally processed what had happened. His face darkened as he awkwardly addressed everyone.

"I couldn't bear to leave them. Maybe their cries brought me back," he said.

I wouldn't have it.

Mom, however, was overjoyed and hugged him, oblivious to Dad and Grandma's stiff expressions and the angry glare of the little boy behind them.

I shot him a taunting look.

The boy's fists clenched tightly at his sides, hatred flaring in his eyes.

I deliberately spoke loudly, "Dad loves Mom and me so much. He came back because he couldn't leave us."

I gave Dad a hopeful look, and he guiltily nodded.

"Yes, I just love you guys so much."

My smile widened as I hugged Dad's neck, a victorious glint in my eyes as I stared straight at him.

Three, two, one...

Sure enough, the boy couldn't hold back.

"He doesn't love you the most, he loves me and Mom!"

His loud voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone looked at him.

He walked slowly towards us.

"I'm Antony Thomas' only son!" he declared.

"He told me he never liked you or your Mom!"

Mom looked at him in astonishment until she saw his features clearly.

Her eyes filled with despair.

The woman couldn't hold back either and walked over, saying to Mom, "Please don't misunderstand.

"He is just speaking nonsense. We're decent people and would never do such a thing."

Dad's eyes shone as he looked at her, admiration and approval deepening with each word she spoke, making him nod in agreement.

She was well prepared.

I stared at my confused Mom and called out, "Ma'am, aren't you Dad's college girlfriend, Tammy Dunbar? Is your son Dad's illegitimate child?"

Her face flushed slightly. "Please don't slander me. I've always conducted myself properly. How could I have an illegitimate child?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're right. He's not really an illegitimate child, just an unwanted bastard. And you, you're just the other woman..."

Before I could finish, Dad jumped out of the coffin and slapped me hard.

"How dare you talk to Ms. Dunbar like that, you're too disrespectful!"

His slap was forceful, and my face instantly swelled.

The ringing in my ears filled my head with a buzzing sound.

It took me a long time to recover.

Mom burst into tears, rushing to my side and holding me, glaring at Dad.

"How could you hit your daughter so hard!"

Dad only comforted his true love, completely ignoring us.

I always knew he was a heartless man, unworthy of being my father.

I wanted Mom to see that with this slap.

"I was teaching her to behave. You didn't raise her well!"

Dad scolded Mom instead.

I held Mom's hand and said, "Mom, you see, Dad doesn't love us. He only cares about Ms. Dunbar and their child. He's been lying to us all along."

Mom lowered her head, biting her lip. "I know."

I was surprised that she knew.

In my previous life, I thought Mom was unaware of all this.

It turned out she always knew that Dad never loved us.

While everyone was still confused by this family drama, a group of thugs burst into the chapel, armed with iron bars and covered in tattoos.

They began smashing and throwing things around, shouting, "Where is Antony Thomas? Pay us back!"

In my previous life, at this moment, Dad was comfortably lying in the coffin while Mom dealt with these thugs alone.

They saw Dad as deceased and demanded that Mom repay the debt.

Mom then discovered that before he died, Dad had borrowed five million dollars in high-interest loans.

With interest, the total amount to be repaid was around six million dollars. The stress of repaying the debt had contributed to her developing stomach cancer, leading to her death.

Meanwhile, with a great amount of money, Dad lived a comfortable life with his true love and son.

This time, my poor Dad had to face the consequences himself.

As they roared with anger, Dad's face turned pale.

He realized he should have been in the coffin, not standing here.

I pointed to him and said, "Sir, he is Antony Thomas."

Dad's face was pale with fear as he pleaded with the thugs.

"I'll pay, I promise. Just give me a bit more time, and I'll have the money."

The thugs then swaggered out of the chapel.

In front of everyone, I spoke up again, "Dad, did you plan to borrow high-interest loans, fake your death, and run away with Ms. Dunbar?"

Dad's face turned a dark shade of anger.

I thwarted his plan, and I also made him lose face in front of Tammy.

Furious, he came over and reached out to hit me, but Mom pushed him away.

She glared at him and said, "If you lay a finger on Lorraine, I will fight you!"

Dad retreated awkwardly, and the farce finally came to an end.