Chapter 4N
“Caleb,” my mother said, her voice trembling, “you were a sickly baby. You had constant fevers. One night, your temperature shot up to 104 and your mom ran out in the middle of a storm, carrying you through the rain just to get you to a doctor.”
She turned to Chloe “And you when you started high school, you got involved with some rough kids. That night, they drugged your drink. If your mom hadn’t barged in with help at just the right time, God knows what would’ve happened. She ended up getting stabbed ten times trying to protect you. If it weren’t for her, you’d be ruined by now.”
“And when you got your first period, who taught you how to deal with it? Who sat with you and explained everything, so you wouldn’t be scared?”
The room fell silent. The kids had no answer because deep down, they knew it was true. I took care of them like my own.}}
A moment passed before Chloe rolled her eyes. “Think I care? Whatever she did doesn’t count–she’s not my real mom.”
Caleb sneered. “Exactly. Look at her. You think this broke woman deserved to be our mother? Not in a million years.“W
Then he slapped down a folder on the table–a paternity test.N
Just like that, the truth was out. They were Denise’s bastard kids.
Everyone gasped, even though the rumors had been swirling for a while.
I knew it,” someone whispered,N
“Come on, it was obvious. They said they didn’t want kids, then came back with twins? Please.”
“God, poor Crystal. She raised someone else’s kids for eighteen years, gave them a billion–dollar inheritance and they turn around and call the woman who wrecked her marriage ‘Mom‘.“N
All eyes were on me–mocking, pitying. I was the joke of the night.N
They thought I’d lose it, start screaming or throw a fit. But instead, I pulled out a folder of my own and tossed it on the table.
“Since you say so,” I said calmly. “Let’s cut our ties here.” Gasps rang out again. No one expected that.M
“You’re just going to give them up? After everything you’ve done?” someone whispered.W
Chloe laughed. “That’s exactly what I wanted.“N
They signed without hesitation, then strutted over to Billy and Denise. The four of them smiled at each other like they’d just won the lottery.
Finally, they could play happy family in the open, without sneaking around like criminals.N
“Great,” I said, smiling too.
I gave them a chance. If they had even a sliver of decency, I might’ve shown mercy. But human nature is blinding–like staring at the sun. You’ll go blind if you look too close.N
No one could figure out how someone like me—a woman who’d built an empire worth billions–ended up raising another woman’s children like some tragic fool.
“Crystal, this party has nothing to do with you anymore,” Billy said coldly. “You can leave. And please tell your parents to pack up as well. The mansion is now in my kids‘ names.”
“Not so fast,” I said with a sly smile. “This is still my kids‘ graduation party. The celebration hasn’t even started. Why would I leave now?”
Then I turned to the door. “Kids, come on in.“N
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Two students in school uniforms walked in.N
