Chapter 40 — Snake Bites

I was supposed to be informed by Elise, whom I asked to keep an eye on my apartment and at my mother’s movements. Asking for her cooperation wasn’t the hard part, but it was paying for the man who is tasked to spy on her. It was only for a few days since we wouldn’t stay long in South Korea. However, to see my mother, standing in front of me with the biggest displeasure etched across her face, made me wonder why Elise wasn’t able to notify me sooner.

“M-Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Is that the first thing you ask me after going behind my back?” She seethed, throwing a glare in my father’s direction. “To see him? The man who was too busy to look after you? You’re really pushing your luck thinking he cared for you the slightest bit, huh.”

“Bernadette, stop lying to our daughter.” Dad was instantly in front of me, shielding me from her hateful stare. “That is not true at all. I loved and cared for Seo-Yoon as much as you did. Why don’t you tell her the truth? The real reason why you wanted to leave this place…”

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “Do I really need to tell her? I’m sure deep down you know why I left this house, Seojun. Don’t be a fool and blind yourself to the truth that is right in front of you. You knew all these years!” Pointing an accusing finger at him, she cried out. “You were a cheating liar who only cared about yourself. It was either work or your secret woman. You never cared for me or for Alex. What makes you think you have the right to see her? I tried my best to raise her very well so she wouldn’t be like you.”

I felt someone tap my shoulder, making me turn to see who it was. Aurelius gave me a comforting grin before stepping in between the argument. My hands instantly reached out to pull him back to my side, missing the chance to grab his shirt.

Aurelius, what the fuck are you doing?!

Two sets of eyes each displaying contrasting emotions were now trained on Aurelius as he grimly spoke to them. “I know this isn’t right of me, but please don’t fight like this. Not in front of your daughter. You may not be aware of it, but she just wants to see her father as the rest of the kids who grew up without them in their lives. So please, don’t argue like this. You two can always tal—”

“Who is this?” Mom questioned curtly, raising a brow as she scanned Aurelius from head to toe. “I didn’t know you had another son, Seojun. With another foreigner, no doubt.”

Aurelius couldn’t help but laugh sheepishly. “No, Ma’am. I’m not Mr. Han’s son. I’m Aurelius Clarke, perhaps you have heard of me?” When Mom didn’t respond, he continued. “I came here with your daughter since she didn’t want to come alone. I’m…” Glancing at me, he smiled as I merely stared back at him, unsure. “I’m Alex’s boyfriend.”

A few seconds of skin prickling silence passed until Mom burst out in tears, laughing. She cleared her throat, shaking her head at the British man. “Are you for real? Alex, is this man joking? If he is, it isn’t funny. Didn’t you promise me not to be in a relationship unless I said so?”

“It’s true, Mom.” I stepped in front, taking his hand. “Aurelius’ is my boyfriend.”

Her mouth was agape, sputtering incomprehensible words. “W-wha… How did this happen?” She gestured to both of us, face sour as if she swallowed a lime. “I thought… I thought I raised you better than this. Didn’t you say that…”

“Aurelius isn’t my first boyfriend.” I bit my lower lip, clenching my hands. “I’ve been in other relationships before, some were even flings. I-I didn’t want my feelings to be held back by that stupid promise I made when I was a teenager. I have matured over the years, and I certainly don’t want my life to be controlled. And I came here to prove to you that I am capable enough to make decisions. Can’t you see that?”

“What do you know, Alex?” Mom countered, eyes flaring with fury, face red. “What do you know about being capable? You’re just a child! A child who is being tainted by the sinners. I can help you, dear. I’ve always had. Your father? He has been an incompetent father, busy with women, and work to pay attention to his newborn. But I changed your fate by leaving this place. Whatever he told you is all lies. Didn’t I take care of you? Why do you need this man back into your life?”

“Don’t lie to me.” I furrowed my brow, tempted to hiss at her. If any unsuspecting innocent individual were to listen to her, they would think she is the perfect image of a nurturing mother sheltering their child. Except this is a mother who is trying to control their kid who is already an adult. “Dad told me you wanted to go home, saying that you missed America. And that you were the one who pushed for the divorce when there wasn’t anything wrong with your marriage. Dad didn’t have any choice but to let you go!”

Gasping like she has seen a ghost, she clutched her head. “See… See this is why I didn’t want to raise her here! You’re a bad influence, Seojun. See how your filthy blood runs? I didn’t raise Alex like this but look at her now. If I have known you were going to become like this, I should’ve stayed beside you all this time. Look at you, Alex! Whoring around like some prostitute, having relationships—”

The sound of skin meeting skin resounded in the room as it fell into total silence at what just transpired. Who would’ve known that the old lady, keeping quiet all this time as she watched us with keen eyes, would dare to step up to Mom and slap her squarely on the face. I fought back the urge to wince and let out a sound, imagining how painful and humiliating it is. Even my own mother was stunned.

“Bernadette, I welcomed you into this family with kindness and quietly let you leave… but I can also force you out of this house again without any gentleness spared.” Grandmother softly spoke, licking her lips a few times as she continued. “You have said enough. My son may have lacked a few things, but you were the one who took away his chance of becoming a good father to his child due to your own selfishness.” Taking a deep breath in, she commanded. “I’ll give you ten minutes to leave this house and to never show your face here again. You will not take Seo-Yoon from us ever again.”

“You crazy bitch! I never liked you the day we first met.” Mom lunged towards Grandma, pulling her neatly tied hair, some strands falling to the floor. Dad immediately took a hold of Mom, desperately trying to push her away from the bemoaning old lady. As soon as Dad broke them free, Mom instantly snatched the closest thing to her which happened to be a vase. Smashing it to the ground, porcelain pieces bouncing against the floor.

I should’ve seen it coming. Mom diving down to take the largest broken piece, aiming it towards Dad. However, it never pierced through him, but on Aurelius’ body.