Chapter 2
To cut all ties completely, I stated my price directly.
One million dollars each.
Marcus, seeing I was serious, retorted, "Are you that desperate for money?"
My face expressionless, I pulled two copies of a severance agreement from a bag beside me.
"I've already signed them. Once the money is transferred, you can sign your names. After that, whatever you do is none of my concern. I am no longer your mother."
The look of disgust slowly faded from Felix's face. He exchanged a glance with Marcus, both confused by my actions.
After all, I had given them my heart and soul. No one in this world could have treated them better than I did.
They knew this perfectly well.
Yet they enjoyed the benefits of my devotion while constantly craving more.
Truthfully, my initial refusal wasn't simply about rejection.
I had learned something.
Steven and my sister, Ruth, had a son together. But that child was in very poor health, with kidney problems and a heart that had required bypass surgery at a young age. If not for the Howell family's wealth and connections, the boy wouldn't have survived.
I feared they wanted my sons to be used as organ donors for that child.
In fact, not long after my death in that previous life, Felix met with a terrible fate.
An accident left him with both hands broken, his tendons severed. The former piano prodigy lost his most precious asset. He thought he could forge a new path, perhaps start a business.
But he lacked the knack for it and quickly burned through his money.
His so-called father cast him aside the moment he became useless, even barring him from family gatherings.
Perhaps unable to face his new reality, he spiraled into depression and eventually became a homeless drifter.
His godmother, Ruth, then seized the opportunity to end his life for good.
Remembering how they vied for Ruth's favor, calling her 'Godmother' and showering her with extravagant jewels, while refusing to pay my ransom...
I feel not an ounce of pity for how he ended up.
He totally brought it on himself.
Marcus was the first to react. "If that's how you want it, and you've even prepared the papers, then we'll grant your wish."
He tapped on his phone, and moments later, a notification showed a transfer of half a million dollars into my account. This was likely all the money he had saved from his university years.
The seed funding for his studio came from me, and I even helped finalize some of his business plans, yet I never took a single cent from his venture.
Getting this half a million dollars felt utterly unsatisfying.
"I'll give you the remaining half a million dollars within this month. Every last cent," Marcus said flatly.
He took one copy of the severance agreement, turned, and walked out without a backward glance.
Felix put on a show of sighing and looking troubled. He asked me why I was being so extreme, what good would severing our bond do, and who would take care of me in my old age.
Questions like that were almost laughable.
In my past life, as I was drowning, they were smiling and calling my murderer 'Godmother,' eagerly presenting her with an expensive bracelet.
This time, I saw everything clearly. Since they couldn't empathize with me, I would simply let them go.
I said nothing.
My silence angered him. He pulled out his phone and transferred one million dollars to me.
The moment the money landed, he signed his name on the agreement.
"Finally, I'm free from your control," he declared. "I'm giving back every penny I ever earned from the piano. From now on, I am my own person. I'm not the 'Piano Prince' anymore. I despise that title, and I despise the piano even more."
Clutching his copy of the agreement, he walked away without a single glance back.
After they left, I got up and began packing all their belongings.
Three hours later, every trace of their existence in my home was erased.
I had just sat down, exhausted, when the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, I found two completely unexpected visitors.
My parents.
After twenty years apart, the first thing my father did was try to slap me.
I sidestepped, avoiding the blow.