Chapter 6

The moment the door clicked shut, it was like all the energy had been sucked out of me. I collapsed into my chair.

After a long time, I reached for my phone and dialed my attorney. "Hello, is this Mr. Lewis? It's Helen."

"Hello, Ms. White," he answered.

"I want to make a will. All my assets, including every share I own in White Group, will go to the Women and Children's Protection Foundation when I'm gone."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "Ms. White, are you saying Mr. Ryan White isn't included in the inheritance?"

"That's right. Not a single cent."

"Alright, Ms. White. I'll get the paperwork ready. When do you have time?"

"This afternoon."

"Got it."

I hung up and leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. I would see how long Ryan's so-called happy family could last when there was no money to back up their true love.

Ryan never came to the office again, and he didn't come home either. But every morning, my phone would buzz right on time with a message.

[Mom, it's getting colder today. Make sure you dress warmly. You know your joints act up in the cold.]

[Mom, I found a new job at a small company. The salary's not much, but I know I'll do fine. Don't worry about me.]

[Mom, what did you have for lunch? Don't grab something. Eat properly, okay?]

[Mom, I worked overtime today and just got off. I saw a shop selling your favorite strawberry cakes on my way home, so I bought one and left it at your apartment door. Don't forget to pick it up.]

He sent me messages every single day, as if there was never any rift between him and me.

I never replied, not because I was cruel, but because I couldn't afford to let myself go soft anymore. In my previous life, every time I forgave him, it only led to deeper wounds.

When he dropped to his knees and swore, his tears were real. But the moment he snuck off to see Emily behind my back, his commitment to her was also genuine.

I didn't have the strength to trust him again. I couldn't let him break my heart one more time.

*****

Days like this dragged on for a month. I never thought I'd see Mark again.

That afternoon, I had just finished a meeting and returned to my office when my assistant knocked and came in.

"Ms. White, there's a Mr. Mark Quinn here to see you. He said he's an old acquaintance of yours."

My pen froze in my hand.

Twenty years ago, Mark stood outside the court, didn't look at his own son, and walked away with his arm around Olivia.

For twenty years, he never made a single call, nor did he pay a single dollar in child support. And now, here he was.

"Let him in," I said, setting my pen down and leaning back in my chair.

The door opened, and Mark walked in. He looked older. His hair was streaked with gray, and his face was more wrinkled. He wore a suit that wasn't anything fancy, and I could tell life hadn't been easy for him.

But his eyes were still the same, shrewd and scheming, and they sized me up in that uncomfortable way.

He sat down across from me, taking in my office with a slow sweep of his gaze. There was something in his eyes I couldn't quite put my finger on.

He probably never expected that the woman he once threw out with nothing but the clothes on her back would end up sitting in the city's tallest skyscraper, overlooking everything from the top floor.

"Helen," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "It's been a long time."

I didn't say a word, just stared at him.

He looked a bit uncomfortable, cleared his throat, and said, "You seem well. Looks like life's treated you pretty well these years."

"What do you want?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

He paused, clearly caught off guard by how blunt I was. Then he gave a sheepish smile. "It's nothing. I just wanted to see you. After all, we were married once. The feelings we had weren't fake, you know—"

"Mark." I cut him off. "Don't make me sick."

His face darkened for a second, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Alright, I'll say it straight."

He sat up straighter. "Helen, it's been twenty years. Whatever grudges or resentment you have, it's time to let them go. I know I wronged you back then, and I admit that.

"But I left Ryan with you. He's been a good son all these years, always by your side. What more do you want? Why are you still making things difficult for them?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Mark, do I need to remind you? Ryan wasn't yours to give. I gave up everything I had to keep him."

He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my words. "I'm here to say this: Emily and Ryan really love each other, and I'm on their side."

I replied coolly, "You didn't pay a single dollar in child support for twenty years. When he was sick in the hospital, you even wished he'd die. And you think you have any right to say you support them?"

"You!" Mark snapped, glaring at me. "So what? Ryan still calls me his father. Let me tell you. Every time you push back, you're making things harder for him.

"If you keep this up, you'll push him to cut you off for good. And when that happens, you'll be the one regretting it."

I let out a cold, mocking laugh. So, the moment I cut off Ryan's financial support, Mark was the first one to freak out.

"Are you done?" I asked.

He froze for a second.

"Then get out!" I snapped.

Mark shot to his feet, his face flushed with anger. "It's been twenty years! Can't you let it go? Ryan's your son. Can't you think about his happiness for once?"