My mother spent three hundred million dollars to build a fake ancient city. She tricked my father into going inside by telling him it was a time‑travel experience.

Inside, people sold him to an entertainment house. They broke his legs, and he lived as a slave for three years.

Three years later, my mother removed her human‑skin mask.

She looked down at him as he knelt on the ground and smiled.

“Three years ago, you sued for divorce and had people online smear Sean as 'the other man'. You almost drove him to suicide from depression. How did it feel to live as a slave all these years? Did you learn your lesson?”

My father pressed his forehead to the ground. His voice sounded flat.

“Everything is up to you, madam.”

My mother paused, then smiled with satisfaction.

I cried and threw myself into my father’s arms.

He held me tightly. His tears fell against my neck as he whispered,

“I’m sorry, Jayden. Dad has to go. I’ll make sure everything is arranged for you before I leave.”

I thought he was only speaking out of anger. Anyone who went through something like that would break.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried.

“Dad, where are you going?”

He did not answer right away. He wiped my tears first, then spoke in a soft voice.

“You might not understand what I am about to say. Dad came into this world through a book. I was bound to a wife‑blessing system to help your mom build her company. Once her company went public, I would be able to go back. I planned to wait until you grew up before leaving, but now…”

He paused and did not continue.

I did not understand what a book or a system meant. I understood one thing clearly.

If he left, I might never see him again.

“Can I go with you?”

Before my father could answer, footsteps came from behind us.

My mother still wore that ancient costume. She held her phone and looked as if she had just walked off a film set.

“The car will be here soon.”

She placed her hand on my father’s shoulder. Her tone sounded gentle.

“Talon, I remembered your kindness to me. As long as you behaved, I would not let anyone take your place. Go back home and get along with Sean properly. We would still be like we used to be.”

My father lowered his head and bowed slightly.

His eyes looked calm, like a dry well. There was no emotion at all.

“Do not worry, madam. I knew my place.”

The car arrived.

My father limped toward the door. He walked very slowly, dragging his injured leg. The sole of his shoe scraped the ground with a faint shuffling sound.

My mother looked back and hesitated for a moment. Then she walked over and lifted his arm onto her shoulder.

His body stiffened as he pulled away.

“That was against the rules.”

“The act is over. You do not need to follow those rules anymore.”

She supported him as they continued toward the car.

I tugged on my father’s sleeve and followed behind them.

He used to walk so fast that I had to run to keep up. He would turn around and call out, “Jayden, hurry up!” Then he would smile, wait for me, and take my hand.

Now he could not even walk steadily.

We arrived at the villa.

Sean stood at the entrance, holding a six‑month‑old baby in his arms.

He was my uncle, my father’s younger brother.

Three years earlier, he moved in and wore the best clothes and used the best things. The servants in the house all called him sir.

The baby in his arms was his and my mother’s illegitimate child.

He smiled and looked my father up and down.

“Talon’s back?”

My father’s gaze landed on the baby. His hand tightened at his side, but his eyes stayed lifeless.

He dropped to his knees. “Master.”

Sean froze for a moment. Then, when he realized what he heard, he laughed.

My mother’s face darkened. “Talon, you are back home now. You are no longer a slave.”

Sean’s smile stiffened as a flash of hatred crossed his eyes.

“Yes.” My father kept his head bowed.

My mother let out a helpless sigh. “Go inside.”

In the living room, Grandpa and Grandma sat on the sofa.

Grandpa read a financial magazine, and Grandma brewed tea. A neatly cut fruit platter sat on the coffee table. Every piece was Sean’s favorite strawberries.

Sean handed the baby to the nanny and sat beside Grandma, looping his arm through hers.

“Mom, Talon’s back.”

Grandma slammed her teacup onto the table when she saw my father. Her face turned cold.

“You caused such a scene three years ago. Now that you are back, behave yourself. Sean is still being called 'the other man' online because of you. You disgraced the Jones family.”

Grandpa did not look up. He turned a page of his magazine.

“If you were half as sensible as Sean, you would not have ended up like this.”

I stood beside my father with my fists clenched. I wanted to say he had been locked inside that ancient city for three years, and his legs were broken. Why was no one comforting him?

However, I did not dare. The last time I spoke up for him, Grandma slapped me across the face and said I had no manners, and that my father had corrupted me.

My father slowly bent his knees again.

“I acknowledged my mistake, master.”

The living room fell silent.

Grandma scoffed and glanced at him sideways. “I think he is pretending to be pitiful for sympathy.”

My mother patted his shoulder. “Mom, Dad, Talon stayed there for three years. He has not recovered yet. He will get better slowly.”

She turned to me. “Jayden, take your father upstairs to rest.”

“Yes.” I held his cold hand and led him upstairs.

After the door closed, the room was left with only the two of us.

His submissive, fearful expression faded at once. Clarity returned to his eyes.

He crouched down and held my face in his hands.

“Jayden, give me your smartwatch.”

I froze, then quickly took it off and handed it to him.

He dialed a number. The call connected.

“Dylan.”

I knew that name. He was my father’s private lawyer, Dylan Parker.

“Set up a trust fund in Jayden’s name. Transfer all my properties, shares, and cash into it. Also prepare her overseas relocation documents.”

After the call ended, my father pulled me into his arms. His embrace felt the same as before, warm and steady.

…

That night was the most peaceful sleep I had in three years.

The next morning, my father was gone again.

“Dad!”

My voice shook as I ran out barefoot.

A sharp scream came from the master bedroom.

Then the baby’s piercing cries filled the hallway.

Sean stumbled out, clutching the baby in panic. Blood streamed down the child’s arm.

“Talon, please, if you want to kill someone, kill me. Do not hurt the baby. He is innocent.”

My heart sank.

I ran over, and my mother rushed out from the study at the same time. Grandpa and Grandma hurried up the stairs after hearing the noise.

My father stood inside the room with a pale face. A fruit knife lay on the floor.

He looked at them. His voice sounded weak as he tried to explain.

“I only called him to have his meal. I did not…”

Slap.

Grandma struck him across the face. His head snapped to the side, and half his face swelled at once.

“You lost your mind. That is your brother’s child. How could you do this? How did I end up with a son like you?”

Grandpa’s voice sounded heavy. “You tried to divorce your wife three years ago, and now on your first day back you try to kill someone. Do you have any humanity left?”

My mother checked the baby first. When she turned back, she looked at my father with disappointment.

“I thought three years in the ancient city would have fixed you. I did not expect you to still be this cruel. It looks like you need to go back there for more rehabilitation.”

At the words ancient city, panic finally appeared in my father’s eyes.

He dropped to his knees and grabbed my mother’s pant leg. His eyes were bloodshot.

“Miley, believe me. I only called him to have his meal. I did not do anything…”

“If it was not you, then was it Sean himself?” Grandma yelled. “Did he stab his own child? Is he insane?”

Sean stepped back while holding the baby. Tears still hung on his face.

He lowered his head, and his voice became softer. “Dad, Mom, please do not blame Talon. It is my fault. I should not have let Miley keep the baby.”

I watched everything unfold. My whole body shook.

“It was not Dad!”

I ran forward and spread my arms, standing in front of him.

“Dad would never hurt anyone. He would never hurt anyone at all.”

My mother looked at me, then at my father. Her gaze looked complicated.

Sean spoke again. His voice sounded hesitant. “Could it be that Talon has a mental problem?” He glanced at my mother and paused. “After what happened in those three years in the ancient city…”

My mother jolted slightly.

Grandma cut in at once. “Yes. He must be sick. No normal person would do something like this.”

“He cannot stay in this house anymore,” Grandpa said in a low voice. “Send him to the hospital for an examination. If he is really ill, send him to a psychiatric hospital. We cannot let him harm others.”

My father crawled forward on his knees and grabbed my mother’s pant leg.

“Miley, I am not sick. I am really not sick. Let me stay with Jayden. I will do whatever you say.”

My mother looked down at him.

“Take the baby to get his wounds treated. I will take him for a diagnosis.” Her voice sounded calm.

The light in my father’s eyes went out at once. Then he collapsed to the ground.

“Dad! Dad!”

I screamed as I shook his shoulder. He did not respond.

Grandma kicked him.

“Stop pretending. Get up.”

“Do not touch him!”

My voice came out loud. Grandma flinched and stepped back.

“You little brat.” Her face turned red. “Is this how your father taught you to speak to your elders?”

“You never treated him like your son,” I cried. “You only liked Uncle Sean. You never liked my dad.”

“You…”

My mother walked back over. She crouched down and checked my father’s breathing. Her expression changed.

“Call a doctor.” She stood up. Her voice came out fast and tense. “Now.”

My father was rushed into emergency care when he arrived at the hospital. After a long while, he was moved into a ward.

The doctor looked at him. His expression was unreadable.

“He is severely malnourished and showing signs of organ failure.”

My mother froze.

“Organ failure?”

“You did not know?” The doctor’s tone sounded sharp. “With his condition, how are you his wife?”

My mother stood there with a complicated look on her face.

My father lay in bed with an IV in his hand. His face looked pale. He wiped my tears.

“Do not be afraid. I am fine.”

He looked at my mother, then spoke gently to me. “Jayden, go outside first. I need to talk to your mom.”

I did not want to leave. Yet I still did.

The door did not close fully. I left it slightly open.

I saw my father looking at my mother. His eyes looked steady.

“Miley, I would like to send Jayden abroad.”

…

“What? Are you crazy? He is only eight.” My mother’s voice rose with anger. “Are you throwing another tantrum?”

“I am not.”

“I can accept sharing you with Sean. I will stay in my place for the rest of my life with no other intentions.” His voice sounded flat. “Jayden cannot grow up in this kind of environment.”

He got out of bed as he spoke. His bare feet touched the cold tile as he dropped to his knees.

“I am begging you. Let him go.”

His forehead pressed against the ground.

My heart shattered.

“Dad.”

I whispered.

My mother stared at him. Her gaze looked heavy, and her lips pressed into a tight line.

“I can send him abroad.” Her voice came slowly, like from far away. “You are not leaving.”

I could not hold back anymore. I pushed the door open and ran inside.

“I do not want to go abroad.”

My father lifted his head and looked at me as tears fell down his cheek.