Chapter 4

One afternoon, while shopping with Amy, I picked out a set of clothes and a pair of shoes for Helen.

When I brought them home, she didn't know what to do with her hands, her face full of happiness, but she just couldn't bring herself to accept them. "This... this isn't right, is it? You already pay me."

I smiled, "Ms. Chambers, it's only natural for me to show you some respect as the younger generation. Has Ryan ever bought you anything?"

Helen's face fell, a mix of disappointment and embarrassment.

I acted like I didn't see her hesitation and just pushed the clothes and shoes into her arms, smiling, "They're already bought, Ms. Chambers—just take them, or else my money goes down the drain."

As expected, the moment she heard about wasting money, she couldn't bear it and took them right away.

Life was smooth sailing, just the way I liked it—until Ryan decided to show up at my office.

I hadn't picked up any of his calls or replied to his texts lately, so he must've finally caught on.

"Olivia, what's that supposed to mean? Didn't you say if my mom became your housekeeper, you'd take me back?" Ryan blurted out the moment he barged in.

I shot him an amused look. "I said I'd consider it if your mom worked for me. Well, I did consider it—and honestly, you and I just aren't a match."

"You're toying with me?" Ryan demanded, expression darkening.

"It's not that deep. Relationships are about both people wanting it—if it's not working, we break up. No one's toying with you here," I said, leaning back in my chair with a cold smile.

Ryan took several deep breaths, obviously trying to keep his cool.

After a moment, he looked at me with pleading eyes and said, "Olivia, if I did something wrong, just tell me—I'll change, I swear. Let's not break up, okay?"

I looked at him seriously. "Ryan, you went to college—do you really think it's right to treat your mom that way?"

"So it really is because of her!" Ryan scoffed, a flash of irritation in his eyes.

"Did she say something to you? Olivia, pay her no mind. She doesn't know any better and does nothing but stir up drama nonstop," he snapped.

I stared at Ryan and couldn't help but laugh.

I honestly had no idea why I was laughing.

Maybe I was laughing at how he didn't even realize how lucky he was, or maybe I was just laughing at how we're both cold-hearted in our own ways.

"You're not even half as good as her. I'm done with you—for good," I said.

Ryan demanded, his voice rising, "Olivia, what do you want from me? Am I not better than other guys?

"Most guys expect their wives to look after their moms, but for you, I was willing to send my mom back to the village just so she wouldn't get in your way. What more do you want from me?"

I honestly didn't even know what to say to that.

I really underestimated just how shameless this guy could be.

"Get out. Don't make me call security to throw you out," I said, my voice icy.

"Fine, just you wait, Olivia. I'll make you regret this!" Ryan snapped, his face twisted with anger.

He stormed out, leaving me with that threat.

I was honestly curious to see how he planned to make me regret it.

It didn't take long for me to see what Ryan had up his sleeve.

Ryan called Helen, and since I'd already told her there were cameras inside, she made sure to step out and take the call right at the front door.

But guess what? There were cameras out front, too.

Helen put the call on speaker.

"Mom, what did you say to Olivia? Why is she dumping me?" Ryan was practically yelling, totally losing it.

"Oh?" Helen blinked, genuinely caught off guard.

"I never said anything bad about you, Ryan. I've just been keeping busy around here, doing whatever Olivia asks me to do," she replied, sounding a little flustered.

Ryan snapped, "Why didn't you ever say anything good about me to her?"

Helen said softly, "But she never mentions you at all. And honestly, Olivia's always so busy—sometimes she doesn't even get any sleep, and she's working even while she eats. I barely get a chance to talk to her."

"You... seriously? Are you that clueless? You really think you're just her maid now? You're my mom!" Ryan shouted, his voice cracking with frustration.

Helen stayed silent.

Ryan took a breath and said, "Mom, you know the code to her apartment door, right? Can you give it to me?"

"What are you trying to do?" Helen asked, sounding nervous.

"Once I get her in bed and snap a few private pics, she'll have no choice but to marry me. Mom, you don't want me to lose a girl like her, do you?"

Glancing at the surveillance footage on my phone, I pressed my lips, a chill running down my spine.

Ryan never failed to blow my mind—just when I thought he couldn't get any lower, he proved me wrong.

"Ryan, how could you even think of something like that?" Helen's voice shot up, panic clear as day. "You can't do that, it's illegal!"

"If she doesn't call the cops, it's not illegal. Just give me her door code already," Ryan snapped, sounding totally impatient.

I stared at the security feed, my heart racing.

Helen's voice was unexpectedly steady. "I can't give it to you.

"Olivia is my employer, and I can't just share her personal information with anyone. Ryan, don't even think about doing something like this. Please, do the right thing—don't go down that path."

"Shut up! If you're really my mom, then just give me the password!" I could practically hear Ryan fuming on the other end of the line.

"I... I... I don't have time. I've got things to do," Helen stammered, flustered, and then she hung up on me.