Together, the two of them forced the reporters back. They led me toward the hotel entrance, fending off the cameras and flashing lights.
Only when we were almost outside did the security team finally show up, jogging toward us in a frenzy. Elroy trailed behind them, his face plastered with guilt and panic.
“Dean, I’m so sorry—this is all my fault. I didn’t monitor things thoroughly. Someone must’ve switched the VCR when I turned.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, “I ran off to get security as soon as I noticed, but I was too late. Are you okay? I can't believe they actually laid hands on you…”
He reached toward me, trying to touch my scar and the moment he touched me, I let out a terrified scream.
Sharon, worried I might hurt Elroy, immediately called over the medics to inject a sedative.
The drug kicked in quickly. I passed out in her arms.
When I opened my eyes again, I was already in a hospital room.
Outside the door, I could faintly hear voices.
“Mom, you planned it so well today. After that mess, Dad’s reputation is completely destroyed. There’s no way he can ever fight Uncle Elroy for the company again!”
“But do we still have to pay those reporters to spread the footage?” she added.
Sharon paused for a second, but her voice was firm.
“Yes. His reputation’s already in ruins. Might as well land the final blow. Worst case, we just treat him a little nicer later as ‘compensation.’”
Their conversation hit me like lightning.
I finally understood why Sharon had called me over to bring her medication—it was all part of her plan. She made sure I came here under the pretense of delivering medication. But her real goal was painfully clear now: to ruin my reputation as the rightful heir and clear the path for her lover.
Tears streamed down my face and that’s when Sharon walked in and caught me.
With a face full of sympathy, she gently wiped my tears. “Don’t worry, Dean. It’s over now. I’ve already told them to delete the video. It won’t spread.”
Willow threw her arms around me, crying. “Daddy, I promise I’ll drink milk every day from now on so I can grow up strong. I’m gonna protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again!”
I gave a bitter smile at how convincing they looked—so full of concern and care.
But it was these two who had hurt me the most. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the pain. They must’ve thought I wasn’t feeling well because they called doctor to give me pain killer. And they stayed right by my side, one on the left and one on the right. Soon enough, the pills kicked in and I drifted back to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, it was late into the night. The bed was empty on both sides. Sharon and Willow, who had sworn to stay with me, were nowhere to be found.
I slowly sat up and opened the door. Across the hall, in the room opposite mine, I saw Elroy curled up in Sharon’s arms like a rag doll.
“Sharon, stay with me tonight, okay?” he said softly, his voice full of joy. “Everyone finally recognizes me as the general manager. I’m in a cloud nine…”
Sharon playfully pinched his nose and replied sweetly, “I told you, Elroy, as long as you’re happy, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“But congratulating you at the party isn’t enough,” she added, a teasing smile on her lips. “Willow and I will stay with you the whole night.”
With that, Sharon pushed him down and the two of them locked lips in a passionate kiss that didn’t end for a long moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Elroy covered his face, blushing like a schoolboy. “Sharon, you naughty… Willow’s still here.”
“So what? It’s not like she hasn’t seen it before,” Sharon said nonchalantly.
Willow giggled and nodded. “Yeah! Daddy and Mommy being affectionate is totally normal!”
Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, she picked up her phone, turned on the camera and the three of them smiled brightly at the lens—just another perfect family photo.
And I stood there in the shadows, tears pouring down my face.
Even though I already knew… it still tore me apart to hear the child I raised with everything I had call another man “Daddy.”
