My wife accused our son of trying to harm someone, just because he poured a glass of cold water for her male bodyguard who was coughing. “Don’t you know cold water makes a cough worse? You’re so young and already learning to hurt people. What will you be like when you grow up?” She grounded Leo for 24 hours, saying she wanted to teach him a lesson. I begged her, telling her Leo had a high fever and urgently needed treatment. I even offered to take the punishment instead. But Victoria scoffed, “You’ve spoiled him rotten. Now he’s faking sickness to avoid responsibility? He needs to be locked up for a few more days to learn some manners.” She was afraid I’d make trouble, so she locked me in another room. I crashed through the door, desperate, but Leo didn’t make it. He died on the spot from the fever. Three days later, as I was packing Leo’s things, Victoria returned from her trip with Julian, the male bodyguard. She was beaming, plucking a single rose from the 999 Julian had given her and handing it to me. “Stop acting. He was just grounded for a few days, what’s the big deal? Worst case, I’ll take you two on a trip in a couple of days to cheer him up.” But she didn’t know. Our child was dead. And I couldn’t live with her anymore.
If it had been before, her giving me a flower would have thrilled me to no end. But now, clutching Leo’s tiny clothes, my heart was in pieces, numb from the pain. Her raised arm started to ache, and she angrily threw the rose at my face. “I only brought Julian with me for protection. There’s nothing going on between us. Who are you putting on this face for?” A thorn from the stem left a small scratch on my face, a trickle of blood oozing out. A flicker of distress crossed Victoria’s eyes, and she reined in her temper. “Whatever. I can’t be bothered arguing with you. I’m just letting you know something: I’m going away on a business trip for a year. You manage Leo and don’t make trouble, I…” As she spoke, she suddenly retched. Julian rushed over to pat Victoria’s back, then seemingly “accidentally” dropped a pregnancy test from his pocket. I picked it up. It read “Four weeks pregnant.” No wonder. Before, her trips with Julian would last for months. This time, she just left and came right back. So, she was pregnant. “A year-long business trip.” Clearly, she wanted to disappear and secretly have this child. My poor Leo. To please Victoria, he saw Julian, Victoria’s favorite, coughing, and, just like his teacher taught him, he poured him a glass of water. But because it was cold water, Victoria decided he was learning bad habits, trying to harm Julian. Even with him burning up with fever, she ignored my desperate pleas and locked him in his room. I fought to break free from the bodyguards, crashing through the door to save him. My tiny boy was hot as a furnace, and his last flicker of consciousness made him shake his head. “No, Daddy. Mommy said three days. Time’s not up. Mommy will hate Leo if she knows.” They say men don’t cry easily, but that day, I couldn’t stop. Tears streamed down my face. “No more. We don’t want this mommy anymore, Leo. I’m taking you to the hospital…” Sadly, it was too late. He couldn’t be saved. Before his last breath, he clutched my sleeve, choked out, “Why didn’t Mommy come see Leo? Was Leo a bad boy?” Meeting his hopeful eyes, my throat went dry. I couldn’t utter a single word. Now, looking at this pregnancy test, I felt nothing but bitter irony. If Leo knew that the mommy he adored had given all her attention to another child, how heartbroken would he be? I couldn’t control my rage any longer. I slammed the pregnancy test down in front of Victoria. “Victoria, is this what you meant by ‘nothing’ going on? Have you ever considered our child’s feelings?” A flash of surprise crossed Julian’s face. He hadn’t expected me, who usually endured all grievances in silence, to finally fight back. He immediately lowered his head and explained to Victoria: “I’m sorry, I was just so happy about being a dad that I kept the pregnancy test in my pocket. I didn’t mean to drop it, and I certainly didn’t mean for Alex to see it. Victoria, please punish me.” Victoria raised an eyebrow, reassuring Julian, “It wasn’t intentional. Don’t overthink it.” Then, she glared at me. “You have the nerve to bring up our child? Aren’t *you* the one who caused all of this?” “Alex, everything happening today is your deserved karma.” My eyes darkened. Years ago, Victoria wanted to use IVF to have a child for Noah, her first love who was supposedly battling cancer. But it turned out Noah was faking his illness and then ran off with all the donation money. Her grandma, Eleanor, fearing Victoria would lose her mind, begged me to tamper with the IVF. I flat-out refused. Even though Victoria and I had signed a marriage certificate, we had a contract: we were only a contractual couple, not to interfere with each other’s private lives. But Grandma Eleanor knelt before me, showing me records of all the money she’d given me, from elementary school through my PhD, pleading for my help. “My son and daughter-in-law are gone. Victoria is my only granddaughter. If anything happens to her, I won’t live either.” Without her, I wouldn’t be where I was today. I couldn’t refuse. I had to do it. Victoria gave birth to my child, believing him to be Noah’s last descendant, and lovingly cared for him. During that time, she saw how good I was to the child and her attitude towards me greatly improved. She even suggested canceling our contract and truly spending our lives together. Then Julian appeared. She became utterly infatuated with Julian’s face and demeanor, which were ninety percent similar to Noah’s. She started staying out all night. She thought I didn’t know. At first, she met him secretly, then she arranged for him to be her bodyguard. But life remained relatively stable, so I just turned a blind eye. When Victoria learned the truth, she felt guilty towards me and decided to send Julian away. But Julian suddenly pulled out a DNA test, accusing me: “Alex used your trust to tamper with the IVF, making the person you loved most infertile. And you, Victoria, you’ve been foolishly enduring and sacrificing for him. You’re a complete joke.” Victoria flew into a rage on the spot. From then on, her attitude towards me and Leo completely reversed. It was constant abuse, harshness, and punishment. I could bear the suffering, but I never imagined that our child would lose his life because of it. Now, facing Victoria’s accusations, I couldn’t help but want to reveal the truth. “Victoria, about what happened back then…”
Just as I was about to speak, my phone suddenly vibrated. Grandma Eleanor’s name flashed on the screen. I looked up and saw the security camera in the living room blinking red. A bitter smile touched my lips. Grandma Eleanor had been monitoring me. She wouldn’t allow me to reveal the truth. “Alex, if you’ve got the child’s clothes ready, come over. He’s waiting.” Grandma Eleanor’s voice was kind, yet a chill ran down my spine. I nodded and hung up. Victoria watched me suddenly pack my things without a word. She raised an eyebrow. “What about what happened back then? You’re not trying to say you had your reasons, are you?” A flicker of anxiety crossed Julian’s eyes, and he quickly interjected, “Victoria, no man can accept his wife having another man’s child. You should consider his pride as a man.” Victoria exploded. She grabbed a cup from the table and hurled it at me. “A good-for-nothing freeloading off my family still dares to talk about pride?” I didn’t say a word. As her cup shattered, I walked out of that suffocating house and headed to the old family estate. The moment I arrived, Grandma Eleanor pressed a bank card into my hand. “Alex, you and the child have suffered. Please take this money.” I knelt before her. “I don’t want money. I just ask for one thing.” Grandma Eleanor quickly helped me up. “If you want to leave, I’ll agree.” “You’ve endured so many years of hardship. The kindness I showed you back then has long been paid in full. You don’t owe me anything.” My eyes reddened as I looked at Leo’s body. “Besides that, I want to take Leo with me. I want to change his last name and bury him in my family’s cemetery back home.” Grandma Eleanor hesitated. After all, I had married into their family, and Leo not only bore Victoria’s family name but was also listed in their family tree. Knowing she wouldn’t easily agree, I handed her the crumpled pregnancy test. “Victoria is pregnant. She’ll have other children. But Leo only has me.” Grandma Eleanor remembered what Victoria had done to Leo, and she couldn’t bear it. Finally, she nodded. After handling Leo’s funeral, I clutched his urn and returned to get my documents. *Click!* The lights flickered on. Victoria was sitting in the living room, waiting for me. Julian stood beside her, a smug look on his face. The atmosphere was eerily silent until Victoria broke it, angrily. “Look at the good your son did.” I raised an eyebrow, confused. Leo was dead. What could he possibly have done? Julian slowly patted Victoria’s back. “Calm down, don’t stress the baby.” “Leo put peanuts, which you’re allergic to, in your nutritional meal. He was just jealous of his unborn brother and wanted to harm him. It’s our fault for not discussing having another baby with Leo. He’s young and doesn’t know any better. You shouldn’t take it to heart.” Victoria was furious. “It seems the last punishment was too light. He hasn’t learned his lesson.” He was only a three-year-old child. How would he know how to do that? Besides, he was already dead… “Leo didn’t do it.” He was such a good boy. Even until his death, he regretted pouring cold water and making Victoria angry. Yet Victoria believed someone else’s slander and wanted to punish him. Ultimately, Victoria had transferred her hatred for me onto our child. I’m so sorry, Leo. Mommy hated you because of me. You didn’t do anything wrong. I hugged the urn tightly, fighting back tears. Julian sighed. “If he didn’t do it, then did you?” Victoria grew even angrier, grabbing a tissue box from the table and throwing it at me. “It’s because you always cover for him that he became so unruly at such a young age! Today, he needs a lesson to learn some manners!” “Hand Leo over now, or don’t make me punish you instead.” He was so small. How could he possibly take the blame for such a big thing? I couldn’t take it anymore. Holding up the urn, I yelled, “Victoria, Leo was locked in his room by you and died from a high fever!” “His ashes are right here. How could he possibly harm you?”
Victoria shot to her feet. “What did you say?” She rose too quickly and nearly stumbled. Julian quickly steadied her, looking disappointed. “Victoria, he’s lied to you before. How can you still believe him?” “This afternoon, I distinctly saw the child wandering around the kitchen with a bag of peanuts, and then Grandma Eleanor picked him up.” Victoria immediately sighed in relief. She pulled out her phone and video-called Grandma Eleanor. “Grandma, is Leo with you?” Leo was dead. She would soon realize how terrible her actions had been. On the other end of the line, Grandma Eleanor smiled. “He’s with me.” “Leo, do you want to talk to Mommy?” I rushed forward. Through the camera, I saw Leo squatting among a pile of toys, shaking his head, and burying himself in his play. Grandma Eleanor scowled and reprimanded Victoria. “It’s all your fault for being so harsh on Leo. Now he doesn’t even want to talk to you.” My face turned ashen. I’d almost forgotten. Victoria’s grandma had the most prestigious high-tech team in the world. Back when AI wasn’t even popular, she had used it to make me appear with Noah’s face in a video call for Victoria to say her final goodbyes. Now, she was using someone else’s child to impersonate Leo, just to put Victoria at ease. In this family, my son and I were nothing but tools that no one cared about. It’s okay, Leo. Even if everyone in the world doesn’t love you, Daddy will always love you. I caressed the urn, speechless. Victoria’s face darkened. She hung up the phone and angrily said, “Alex, you dared to lie to me!” “Fine. Your son is with Grandma Eleanor, so I can’t punish him. Then I’ll punish you.” “Julian, smash that broken thing in his hands.” I struggled desperately, but I couldn’t fight off the several bodyguards who restrained me. Seeing Julian raise the urn high, I fell to my knees, pleading: “Victoria, I beg you, give Leo back to me!” “I’ll do anything you want, please!” Victoria’s heart also twisted. Just at the crucial moment, she suddenly called out, stopping Julian. She waved her hand. “Forget it. It’s just a broken box. Smashing it is pointless. Give it back to him.” Julian disappointedly threw the urn back to me. I lunged forward, catching the box securely. Relieved to have it back, I hugged Leo’s ashes tightly to my chest. Julian sighed. “Victoria, you’re too kind.” “Don’t worry, I’ll keep a closer eye on things from now on. After all, protecting you and the baby is my job.” Victoria placed a hand on her abdomen and suddenly called out to me as I was about to leave. “Wait. I said I wouldn’t punish Leo, not that I wouldn’t punish you.” “Since you love taking the blame for your son so much, then you can experience what an allergic reaction feels like.” “Order him ten thousand lobsters. He’s not allowed to leave until he’s peeled every single one.” She knew I was severely allergic to lobster. Just touching it would make me break out in hives. Even when our relationship was at its worst, she never allowed a single lobster on the table. Now, she must be completely furious. I tightly clutched the urn. Looking at the huge basin of lobsters in front of me, my eyes stung. As soon as I grabbed one to start peeling, my fingers began to redden from the allergy. Victoria turned her face away, then stood up with her back to me. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest. Don’t think about slacking off. I’ll have someone watch you.” Julian helped her to her room. Seeing the line of burly bodyguards, I didn’t resist. I numbly continued peeling lobsters. As time passed, my entire body was covered in red welts, and my breathing became increasingly difficult. In a haze, a pair of polished leather shoes appeared before me. Julian grabbed my chin, his voice cold. “Just peeling lobsters is too light a punishment. You’re allergic, right? Then eat them.” He forced lobster meat into my mouth. With a single movement, I easily pushed him away. With his weak physique, he wasn’t even as strong as me. The only reason he was a bodyguard was because Victoria missed Noah so much, she kept him by her side. Seeing my resistance, Julian grew angry. “If you struggle again, I swear I’ll smash your son’s urn.” I glared at him. He knew. He’d been intentional earlier! Julian saw me compromise and maliciously shoved a handful of lobster meat into my mouth. For Leo, I didn’t dare to resist. Just at the crucial moment, Grandma Eleanor appeared behind me, tapping her cane. She angrily told Julian, “No one gets to bully my family’s son-in-law. Get out.” Julian looked like he wanted to say more but was ultimately kicked out. Grandma Eleanor dismissed everyone else. Ignoring the grease on my hands, she helped me up. “Alex, stop peeling. You’re having a severe allergic reaction. I’ll take you to the hospital first, then help you leave.” I nodded, wiped the grease off my body, and then picked up the urn. A flicker of shame crossed Grandma Eleanor’s eyes. She explained, “Victoria is pregnant, and her emotions can’t fluctuate too much. I thought I’d tell her about Leo’s death once she was more stable.” “You and the child have suffered again. Alex, you must take this money.” She pushed two more cards toward me. I shook my head. “No, thank you. You’ve given enough. I just want to leave peacefully with my child.” Grandma Eleanor pressed the cards into my hand, hinting, “Take them. Back then, Victoria’s first love ran off with her money and abandoned her. I was the one who forced you to switch the IVF sample, making Victoria conceive your child.” “But I never imagined that my decision, as an old woman, would kill poor Leo.” “I regret it deeply. I shouldn’t have forced you.” “The money here isn’t much. It’s my apology. I hope you’ll accept it.” “And please, don’t blame this old woman. Victoria is my son’s only daughter, she’s my life.” She seemed to be pleading, but in reality, she was threatening me. If I didn’t take this hush money, I wouldn’t be leaving with Leo today. “Then, thank you, Grandma Eleanor.” I helplessly reached for the cards. *Crash!* A glass shattered. Victoria, dressed in her pajamas, stood frozen in the doorway. We turned to the sound, seeing Victoria’s face drained of color. “Victoria, why are you up?” Grandma Eleanor’s face was even paler than Victoria’s. She wanted to slap herself silly right now.
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