Chapter 18: 18 The Bitter Reality

That night was a moment that changed Calvin's life forever. The truth that had long been hidden was finally revealed, but only part of the bigger picture was clear. Maria, who was usually calm and resilient, looked deeply shaken. She chose to hide important details from Calvin, hoping to protect him from deeper wounds. However, her decision only left Calvin more torn and confused.

"Mom, why does Dad want to get rid of me? What did I do wrong?" Calvin pleaded for an explanation, his voice trembling between anger and heartbreak.

"Calvin, listen to me. Our lives are already too complicated. I don't want to talk about it anymore. What matters now is that we leave this city before anything happens," Maria replied, her voice firm though her eyes brimmed with tears.

Maria returned to her room with heavy steps. Behind the closed door, her tears finally fell. Inside her heart, guilt and love clashed. She had once loved Lincoln Stuard, but that love was shattered when threats came relentlessly. She didn't even know who truly wanted her son's demise. Yet, the fact that Lincoln had never searched for them made Maria feel as though the man had never wanted their child.

Meanwhile, Calvin sat in the living room, his gaze vacant. His mind was filled with a dilemma. He wanted to protect his mother, but the idea of leaving his life behind—including the business proposal competition that could be his ticket to success—was something he couldn't easily accept. He realized that if he left with Maria, he would have to give up everything: the competition, his friends, even his dreams.

An idea began to form in his mind. Whoever wanted to harm his mother had never confronted him directly, meaning his existence was likely unknown. Calvin knocked on his mother's door.

"Mom, I have an idea. Please hear me out!"

Maria, hearing her son's voice, quickly wiped away her tears, opened the door, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"If there's truly danger, I won't leave with you. Aren't they after me? That way, you'll stay safe without me."

"But Calvin, how could I leave you in harm's way?"

"Mom, calm down! Nothing's going to happen to me. No one knows who I am; no one is looking for me. I'll find a boarding house. We'll live separately, but we'll stay in touch. Trust me, I'm old enough now."

Maria shook her head firmly. "Calvin, that's impossible. I can't let you live alone."

"Mom," Calvin interrupted seriously, "just listen. If I go with you, we'll always be on the run. Let them think I never existed."

"But..."

"Have these people who are after you ever seen me?"

"No! I've never been caught; I always left whenever anything connected to their movements," Maria replied.

"Exactly. So just say I'm gone! They won't bother you anymore," Calvin explained.

Maria was shaken by her son's logic, but what Calvin said made sense. Living like strangers might indeed make them safer than staying together.

"How can I bear to do this to you, my child?"

"You're not doing anything wrong to me, Mom. You've always thought of me and done everything you could, even with so little. Even if we live apart, I know how much you love me. Live in peace; I can handle myself," Calvin assured her.

"Alright, my dear. We'll part ways tomorrow morning. I'll find a place in the next city, change all contact information and details about you so no one can trace you."

"Yes, Mom. But before we part, tell me—what's my father's name? At least let me know who I should avoid," Calvin asked.

"Stuard. They're from the Stuard family. Your father is the main heir of the Stuard family business. Lincoln Stuard," Maria revealed.

The painful farewell came the next morning.

Calvin stood at the front door of their rented house, a large bag in hand. Maria's eyes were swollen from crying all night, but she forced a smile, so Calvin wouldn't worry. However, the smile couldn't hide the pain and swelling in her heart.

"Take good care of yourself, my dear," Maria said, handing Calvin a thick envelope.

Calvin accepted it hesitantly. "Mom, what's this?"

“A little money to help you start your new life,” Maria said, forcing a smile.

Calvin opened the envelope and was shocked by its contents. The amount was far greater than he had expected. “Mom, where did you get this much money? We’ve always lived so modestly.”

Maria looked at him gently. “I’ve been setting aside most of my salary for emergencies for a long time. I always knew there might come a time when we’d have to leave or separate like this. I just wanted to make sure you’d never go without it.”

Calvin fell silent, a deep wave of emotion tightening his chest. His mother had sacrificed everything for him, all without a single complaint.

“Thank you, Mom. I promise I’ll make the most of this,” Calvin said, his voice trembling.

Maria nodded. “I trust you, Calvin. Live well, and never hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything. Remember, you’re not alone.”

After a tight embrace, Maria got into the taxi that would take her to the neighboring city. Calvin stood in front of the house, watching the car slowly fade from view. Though his heart was heavy, he knew this was the right step to protect his mother.

With the money his mother had given him, Calvin quickly began searching for a boarding house. He contacted Jin Hai, his boss at his part-time job, who immediately recommended a friend who ran a small, affordable boarding house.

“It’s not big, but it’s cozy enough. Perfect for you, Calvin,” Jin Hai said as he escorted Calvin to the location.

The boarding house was tucked away in a narrow alley near campus. The building was simple but clean. The owner, a friendly man named Mr. Liu, greeted Calvin with a warm smile. After reviewing the available room, Calvin agreed right away.

The room was small, just enough for a bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe. But to Calvin, it symbolized the beginning of his freedom and a new struggle. He unpacked his belongings and sat on the edge of the bed, gazing around the room.

“From here on out, everything depends on me,” he murmured with determination.

That morning, Calvin stepped onto campus with slightly hesitant steps. Without his mother by his side, the world felt quieter, but he worked to conceal his unease behind a determined expression. The business proposal competition was only a few days away, and every participating student seemed busy preparing their presentations.

Calvin decided to stop by the library to look for additional references. As he walked down the corridors, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention.

"Calvin! Wait!" a voice called, and when he turned around, he saw Amity jogging lightly toward him.

"Hey, Amity," he said with a faint smile.

Amity stopped in front of him, her face momentarily awkward. "Calvin, I... I want to apologize about William, my brother. What he said the other day was completely out of line. I’ve already spoken to him, but... well, you know how he is."

Calvin offered a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "It's okay. I'm used to comments like that. Besides, I won’t let other people’s words change who I am."

Amity nodded, looking relieved at his response. But Calvin noticed a faint weight in her eyes.

"Amity, are you alright?" he asked, his tone soft, as though hesitant to probe too deeply.

Amity looked startled, and her smile slowly faded. Her usually cheerful face turned somber. She averted her gaze, staring at the floor with a distant expression.

"Maybe... in this life of mine, I really do have to follow what my parents want," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Calvin froze, trying to process her words. He understood what Amity meant, even though she didn’t say it outright—an arranged marriage.