"Freya, I got paid part-time and bought your favorite strawberries. Come try some!" However, the smile on Howard's face froze when he saw the cut on my forehead.
He rushed over, eyes full of concern. "What happened? Does it hurt?"
I forced a small smile. "I accidentally scraped it. It's nothing. Strawberries are expensive, though. Why waste money?"
"How is that a waste?" he said. "Freya, I'd give you the whole world if I could. You've already sacrificed so much being with me. I'm working hard to earn money so my baby can live a good life."
I didn't say anything. That man's sweet words were as smooth as ever, but they suddenly felt ridiculous when paired with the scent of Megan's perfume on him. Howard didn't notice my change in expression. He casually glanced at my phone and chuckled. "Other girls love looking at handsome guys. Why are you staring at some old, sick lady? She's wrinkled and ugly."
I froze. "You don't know her, really?"
He looked confused. "No? Is she your relative? If she is, we should get her a gift and visit sometime."
"Oh right, Freya, I've got another part-time job tonight, so I must head out now. Can't stay for dinner. Be good and wait for me at home." He ruffled my hair, got dressed and left.
I was stunned by his words. He was the one who brought me to the hospital and pointed at the unconscious older woman in the photo, telling me with a pained look that she was his mother. How could he now say that he didn't know her?
I secretly followed Howard in a taxi. I watched him walk into a luxury mall, change into a suit worth tens of thousands and then head into a hotel. As soon as he entered the lobby, I saw Megan in a custom designer gown, clinging sweetly to a wealthy, elegant-looking woman whose features resembled Howard's.
Howard walked up to her and handed her a gift. He said with a smile, "Happy birthday, Mom."
An overwhelming sense of absurdity washed over me. I couldn't tell if I should be angry or sad. Back then, Howard looked haggard, burdened by high medical bills and debts. He always had a look of sadness in his eyes because he was worried about his seriously ill mother.
I felt sorry for his hardship and decided to share his burden. Besides eating and sleeping for three years, I desperately worked to earn money. As soon as my salary came in, I would immediately transfer it to him. Because I had no money for food, I often went hungry and could only fill my stomach with water. I fainted at work several times but didn't even dare to go to the hospital.
Now I realized that even the so-called 'seriously ill mother' was a lie he made up. He was only sad and haggard because Megan had gone abroad. Then what about the hunger I endured and the sweat I shed? It was truly laughable.
As the party reached its halfway point, Anastasia suddenly announced. "Thank you all for coming to this old woman's birthday party today. I also have some good news to announce. My son, Howard and Megan have been childhood sweethearts and are deeply in love. Now that Megan is back from abroad, we'll host their engagement party in three days. I hope you will all come to celebrate with us."
The guests offered their congratulations one after another. Confused, someone asked, "But didn't I hear that Howard already has a girlfriend?"
Anastasia's face darkened. She let out a cold snort. "How come some gold-digger from who-knows-where thinks she can latch onto our Garcia Family? My son was just toying with her. Did she really think a pheasant could become a queen? She should take a good look at herself."
