A Graduation Gift

Horace's heart sank, feeling the weight of his cold glare. Rufus's words hit home. Still, he was determined not to give in just yet.

"Your mother didn't tell me she was pregnant. If I had known, there was no way I would have abandoned her!"

he answered to his defense. He looked back at Rufus, outraged for receiving a groundless accusation.

"You're not fooling anyone. Had she told you, I would have already been dead!"

Rufus sneered with disdain. How he wished he could kill the man in front of him right now. Remembering what Michelle had told him, he was filled with so much hatred. It made him so hungry for revenge.

"Don't talk nonsense! You are my son, and I wouldn't let you die!"

Horace's face darkened. Rufus's words felt like daggers to his chest. He did not know where they all came from.

"Really? Why don't you go home and ask your wife? My mother was pregnant so she went to the Tang family residence to tell you. But your wife, Jill, stopped her. She did not allow her to enter the premises and drove her away, even sending some men to tail after her. My mother ran for her life. She almost got a miscarriage! She then realized that telling you about my existence was impossible. Later, as if her misfortunes were not enough, her family disowned her so she was forced to fend for herself. That was when she gave birth to me. She raised me on her own and never contacted you because you disappointed her. At that time, Jill was your priority. You let her move in with you in the Tang family home, while you left nothing for my mother, even when she was pregnant. Moreover, you had her kicked out by my grandfather. She lived a hard life all because of you!"

Rufus clenched his fists, trying hard to resist his urge to hit him.

Horace, on the other hand, grew even more serious.

"Jill never told me about this. I didn't even know that this happened. If I had known that I had a son, I would have never let your mother suffer so much,"

Horace replied. Pity showed in his eyes as he wondered about the kind of life she lived. It must have been difficult. She did not deserve that. She was such a tender woman. He had been living in his mansion oblivious to all that happened, until now.

"Stop pretending to be sorry, Horace! You two have shared the same bed for so many years. How is it possible that you don't know what kind of person she is? You didn't want to face my mother. That was why you sent Jill to fend her off, instead. Am I right?"

Rufus shot, addressing him by name. His message was clear. Horace was not his father and he was tired of pretending otherwise.

"How dare you talk to me like that! I am your father no matter what happens!"

Horace boomed sternly. Now, he realized how futile his efforts were. Rufus would never yield to him and he would never go back and help the Tang Group to pull through.

Now, he also understood why Rufus and Jill never got along, and why Rufus resigned and left the company so easily. He didn't care about Tang Group at all.

your decision? You will just

asked, fixing his eyes at Rufus as he held his crutch

of fact, it has always been my dream to destroy the Tang Group with my own hands. As I grew older, though, I realized that seeing it ruined by someone else was a better idea. It is not worth my time and energy. I want to see you suffer. I want you to regret what you did to me and my mother. I want you to be helpless knowing that the child you wanted to kill is now the only one who can save you and your family. I want you to beg, I want you to be desperate, but at the end

all his life. Getting the words out for the first time in his life, he felt free.

he felt it was sincere enough. For the longest time, he believed that Rufus was

Rufus had been tending to

his face. Then, his lips

it...I deserve it..."

wanted to get away from the moment as fast as he could. His

of him and he walked towards it eagerly. The moment he managed to

and rushed towards Horace. Fear filled him, he cradled the old

before. He was at a loss for what to

lying on the ground.

The gate was not locked. Through its opening, she saw him.

she knew that something

stood by the door, looking at the dying man as if he were in another world. He watched his own flesh and blood, the man who gave him life, struggle at the

happy. But why was he not feeling

his head, finally telling Horace that all his life he had prepared for the moment when he could go back to the Tang family to send them to hell, would be the most thrilling

that he finally did it, why did it feel...bland?

a call to the Tang family to inform them of the accident. She had to make sure Horace would be attended to. Soon, things started to calm down and she found

as she stared at him with cold eyes.

side, saw her and

said, "That was

didn't. His face remained blank. Cassandra turned around and

thought he was a monster. When the man who gave him life struggled to live right outside his gates, he did

a victor's smile. It was a bitter smile.

to prepare for this moment. My mother's sickness, my hatred towards the father who abandoned us...Do you have any

was a strong and independent woman. She had a

store that sold musical instruments. Inside, a beautiful melody got

customer who was trying out the piano. Rufus got