Chapter 3

3

I hated him from the start, but I loathed Chloe even more.

Growing up with me, she knew how much I despised my father.

At my coming-of-age ceremony, she even condoned his mother coming to the door to make a scene, shattering the peace of our home.

When Grandpa clearly stated he didn't recognize that woman, she still secretly dated him. They went on a trip, got into a car accident, and were killed instantly.

When the news broke, my mother committed suicide. Before she went, she asked me, "Liam, what is love, really?"

I watched my mother jump from the balcony. How could I not hate them?

Chloe, you told me you would be by my side forever. Why did you betray me?

I bought some gifts and went to Chloe's parents' house, kneeling and weeping as soon as I entered. They rushed to lift me up, asking what was wrong.

I pulled out my phone and showed them the screenshot of Caleb's post, along with the other evidence I'd gathered.

Her mother's face flushed red, her fingers trembling. Her father held her steady.

Seeing her aunt's shocked expression, I felt a pang of sadness. She was my mother's best friend. After my mother passed, she'd been so kind, often cooking for me. She couldn't believe her darling girl would do such a thing.

I looked at them through teary eyes, kneeling at her feet. "Auntie, I don't know what I did wrong. Chloe chose Caleb over me. I've already lost my mother, and now Caleb is stealing Chloe, too!"

Her mother hugged me and cried, apologizing profusely. Her father was furious, ready to call Chloe and demand an explanation.

I quickly stopped him. "Uncle, don't call yet. Chloe is proud. If we corner her, I'm afraid she'll break. Besides, I grew up with her. I don't believe she'd do this to me. It must be that bastard Caleb, deliberately seducing her. He just wants everything I have. He's not serious about her, he's just playing her."

Her mother thought for a moment, frowning. "I never liked that Caleb. Your grandfather only took him in because he felt sorry for him losing his parents, but he's just a wolf that can't be tamed. Liam, tell us what you want us to do. We're on your side."

I sat up, holding her hands, and suggested they take Chloe abroad to clear her head without letting her know why. Once they were gone, I'd take care of Caleb.

After Chloe left, I returned to the estate. Caleb seemed unhappy about not being able to reach her and stopped greeting me altogether. I pretended not to see his scowls, acting generous by reminding him to watch his manners in front of Grandpa. He just scoffed and brushed past me.

One day after work, I found Caleb kneeling at the study door, sobbing, begging for forgiveness. Seeing me, he stopped and growled, "Liam, was it you? You just can't let me be, can you?"

I didn't know what had happened, but I didn't deny it. Seeing him suffer made me happy.

The family doctor emerged from the bedroom with a worried look. I was shocked―it wasn't time for a check-up. I stopped him and asked what was wrong. He told me Grandpa couldn't take any more stress, or he'd collapse.

I asked Grandma what happened. She glared at Caleb.

It turned out that some of Grandpa's old friends had called to berate him for how he raised Caleb. Grandpa was furious. When he questioned Caleb, he discovered the boy had been impersonating him to set up dates with various young women, trying to find a girlfriend. Since the circle was small, the girls had bumped into each other, and the truth came out.

Grandpa had cared about his reputation his whole life; he never expected to be scolded by his peers. The shock was too much, and he had passed out.

I looked at Caleb, who was still kneeling outside, and sneered. You brought this on yourself. I didn't even have to lift a finger, and you exposed yourself. You're kneeling for nothing―it's going to get much worse.