Chapter 1

While my son was recovering from surgery, I was scrolling through a local forum to kill time.

I stumbled upon a thread titled: "What is the most depraved thing you have ever done?"

An anonymous user had posted a comment that caught my eye.

"I used the man who sponsored my education as a stepping stone," it read.

"My benefactor is a total moron with too much money. After he paid for my Ivy League degree, I slept with his wife. Now she's carrying my child."

"The best part? He treats my son like his own flesh and blood. He works day and night just to build a future for my kid."

"By the way, his $3 million inheritance just cleared. My girl is heading to the hospital now to trick him into handing it over for a 'better school district' house."

"Once the cash is ours and the villa is bought, I'll let my son know who his real father is and kick the loser to the curb!"

Attached was a blurry photo of a young boy.

My heart stopped.

The boy in the photo was wearing the exact same custom silver bracelet I had bought for my son.

Right then, the door to the hospital room swung open. My wife, Elena, walked in with a wide smile.

"Silas, Jax is starting school soon. We should use your mother's estate money to buy that condo in the Gold Coast district!"

1

Elena's eyes were locked on me, shimmering with a greedy desperation she couldn't hide.

I looked at the woman I had shared a bed with for years and felt like I was staring at a stranger.

She noticed my silence and stepped closer. "What's wrong, honey? Are you just exhausted?"

"No," I said, swallowing the bile rising in my throat. I turned to pat Jax on the head.

The six-year-old boy I had raised since birth jerked away. He peered behind Elena, ignoring me completely.

"Mom, where's Uncle Maverick? He promised he'd come see me!"

The coldness in his voice when he spoke to me was unmistakable. Yet, when he mentioned Maverick, he sounded more excited than he ever did with me.

It felt like a serrated blade was twisting in my chest.

"Uncle will be here soon," Elena cooed, soothing him before turning back to me. "So, Silas, about the condo..."

My voice felt dry and brittle. "The apartments in the Gold Coast are over two million. That inheritance won't even cover the down payment and fees. The mortgage would be crushing."

"Oh, Silas, think about the future!" Elena interrupted. "Education is the best investment. Don't worry about the payments. Your firm is doing well, isn't it?"

"But..."

"No buts!" Elena's face hardened. "I'm asking you, Silas. Is money more important than our son's future? Are you really that selfish?"

Those words stung like a physical blow.

For six years, I had given everything to this family. She knew that better than anyone.

Now, she was using my own devotion as a weapon against me.

I gripped the bedsheets, my knuckles white. I was about to snap when the door opened again.

Maverick walked in, carrying a basket of expensive organic fruit. "How's the little champ doing? I was worried sick!"

He walked straight to the other side of the bed. The way he looked at Jax was filled with more genuine affection than I had ever seen from him.

Elena's expression softened instantly. "The surgery was a success, but he's still in pain."

"Surgery is tough," Maverick said, looking at me with a patronizing smirk. "You need to buy him the best supplements, Silas. Don't hold back on the kid."

Before I could respond, he continued as if he owned the room. "By the way, did I hear you guys talking about a new house?"

Elena jumped in. "I was just telling Silas we need to move to the Gold Coast district for Jax, but he's hesitant."

Maverick shook his head in mock disappointment. "Silas, you really should listen to Elena. A boy like Jax needs the best environment. You wouldn't want him to fall behind, would you?"

"Right, Jax?"

Jax's lip trembled as he looked at Maverick. "Uncle Maverick... it hurts..."

"I know, buddy. I'm here." Maverick squeezed his hand. "Your mom wants to get you a big new house near the best school. Wouldn't that be awesome?"

Jax nodded eagerly despite the pain.

Then he looked at me with a glare full of resentment. "Dad, Mom and Uncle Maverick are just trying to help me. Why are you being so mean? My friend Leo's dad sold his car just for his tuition! You only care about your money!"

My heart turned to ash right there in that hospital room.

This was the boy I had raised for six years.

He was spitting on the man who had stayed up every night by his bedside.

Elena looked at me with a smug "I told you so" expression.

Maverick's eyes flashed with a hint of cruel triumph.

The three of them were a perfect little unit.

And I was just the ATM, the obstacle in their way.

The room went silent for a few beats.

Then, I let out a soft, dry laugh.

"You're right," I said.

Elena and Maverick both blinked, surprised by my sudden shift.

I let go of the bedsheets and forced a calm smile. "Jax's future is what matters most."

Elena's eyes lit up. "Does that mean you agree?"

"Yes," I nodded, even managing a friendly look. "I'll head to the bank tomorrow to transfer the funds. You handle the details, Elena. Pick the best place."

"Now that's my Silas!" Elena gushed, practically glowing.

Maverick smiled too, a bright, fake grin. "I'm glad you saw reason. Jax is lucky to have such a 'generous' father."

Jax huffed and turned away, satisfied for now.

I watched them, my soul hardening into a wall of ice.

Maverick, Elena, and this ungrateful brat.

If you want to play a role, I'll let you play it.

I'll let you play it until the very end.