My ex-husband ruined my family's company for my son Bryan's piano teacher, Winnie.
He hugged Winnie and said, "I only made Williams Group bankrupt, but I didn't harm anyone's life. You should be grateful."
My son cut my hand with a knife and stood by Winnie's side, saying with disgust, "I don't want to stay with a murderer. I only want Auntie Winnie to be my new mother. You disgusting old woman, get out of my house!"
I had no choice but to leave here.
Six years later, we met again, and they begged me to return home with anticipation.
I held my baby in my arms and asked with disdain, "Who are you people?"
——
I saw my ex-husband Samuel and my son in New York.
After six years, I didn't know what Samuel had been through, but his hair started turning grey.
However, when he saw me, he still had that condescending attitude.
"Rachel? It's been six years. Have you realized your mistake? As long as you go back and apologize to Winnie, I will forgive you. We can be a family."
"My mistake?"
I only had hatred and strangeness towards them!
I despised them and looked them up and down. When I passed by them, my son Rachel got in my way.
"Mom, why do you have to pretend? Don't worry. Auntie Winnie is generous, and she won't argue with you. We come here specifically to pick you up. As long as you go back, apologize to Auntie Winnie, and promise to take good care of us in the future, I will still recognize you as my mom."
Bryan was already thirteen years old. He had grown taller and stronger, and he looked pretty much like his dad. But his temper was still as disgusting as ever.
"However, mom?"
If I had heard that before, I might still feel heartbroken and angry, and would stop and interrupt.
But at this point, they two only made me feel disgusted.
I was the daughter of the Williams family, and I grew up with Samuel since childhood.
Originally, we were a loving couple, and we had Bryan a year after we got married.
Before Winnie appeared, we three lived a very happy and harmonious life.
As for Bryan, I took good care of him in every aspect all by myself. I never relied on others, let alone hired a nanny to take care of him.
Because of this, my son had always been very attached to me. Even Samuel had complained and felt jealous, hugging me and complaining that I had given my love to Bryan.
But I had never neglected Samuel. I took care of everything in our life in an orderly manner.
I had poured all my love into this family.
But the happy days came to an abrupt end when Winnie came to our house as a piano teacher when my son was 7 years old.
"Miss Xavier plays the piano well, and she is kind-hearted. She really cares about Bryan."
"Winnie is pure and kind-hearted. Rachel, you should get along well with her. I believe you can become good friends."
Samuel praised Winnie in front of me again and again, and even his address to Winnie became more intimate from the initial distance and unconsciously.
Even my son, who used to stick to me and vowed to protect me, began to distance himself from me and would become restless when I was not around.
"Dad, I don't want Mom. She just keeps nagging me every day. I want Aunt Winnie. She's the best. She often takes me to the amusement park and buys me KFC. I wish she was my mom."
Every word he said pierced my heart. In his eyes, my earnest teachings were manipulation, while indulging him was love.
Because of this, Samuel and I had a big fight. When I suggested that Winnie should leave, they both joined forces to accuse me.
"It should be you who leaves, not Aunt Winnie. You are just a nanny in my house. You should be the one to go, you old woman!"
Samuel silently agreed with Bryan's words, which broke my heart, but I kept comforting myself,
"It's okay. It's okay..."
He was still young. He didn't know what he was saying. Maybe he would change as he grew up.
But later, Winnie's father died, and I found out that her father was actually an employee of our Williams Group.
Because he was discovered stealing confidential company information, he was afraid of going to jail and jumped off the high-rise building.
Without investigating the reason, Samuel believed only Winnie's one-sided words and blamed my whole family.
He, along with other companies, suppressed Williams Group, and less than a month later, Williams Group declared bankruptcy.
That day, I knelt and cried, begging Samuel to spare Williams Group and my parents.
He looked down on me with disgust and said, "I only made Williams Group bankrupt. It's already lucky that I didn't take your family's lives."
Winnie held Bryan's hand and stood beside him, choked with grievances, and said, "Mrs. Howard, don't blame Samuel. It's because your Williams Group is too heartless. If you harm people, you will have to pay for it. I have already pleaded for you, but..."
"From today on, she is no longer my wife. Ignore her. Since you are not feeling well, let me accompany you upstairs to rest!"
I was shocked and instinctively reached out to grab my son, wanting to leave with him.
When I grabbed him, I suddenly felt my hand hurt. My pupils shrank, and blood flowed from the wound.
Bryan stood beside Winnie, the small knife in his hand still dripping blood. They stared at me with disgust and malice, "I don't want to stay with a murderer. I only want Auntie Wanwan to be my mother! You shameless old woman, get out of my house!"
The house workers threw all my things out, along with me.
The desolate cold wind brought desolate fallen leaves and rain, and it seemed that autumn came early that year.
I knelt in the rain, refusing to give up, constantly knocking on the door and begging loudly.
I begged Samuel to give our the Williams family a way out, begging him not to be so heartless based on our many years of relationship.
I cried so long that the blood on the back of my hand was washed by the rain until the sun rose. The villa once again echoed with the laughter of that family of three.
Later on, I divorced Samuel through a lawsuit and left Detroit with my parents.
Looking back, my heart was filled with hatred and disgust.
Suppressing the urge to curse, I asked disdainfully, "Who are you guys?"
Chapter 2Samuel and Bryan seemed surprised that I would say such a thing, and almost simultaneously looked at me in astonishment.
Bryan frowned angrily, "Mom, what are you still making a fuss about? Even if I give you a way out, you still don't know how to appreciate it!"
Samuel immediately furrowed his brows, "Rachel, we have had a relationship for many years, and we have Bryan. Can't you apologize to Winnie for us?"
Samuel's words made me laugh.
At this point, he was talking about our relationship. If he really cared about this, he wouldn't have ruined the Williams family and pushed me to the brink of ruin just to please Winnie!
At that time, we had just returned to New York. My father couldn't bear the blow and died of a heart attack in anger. My mother also became seriously ill and needed medical treatment, but we were already bankrupt. Where could we get the money?
To save my mother, I had to work in high-end nightclubs.
I used to be the daughter of the Williams family, and many people in the upper-middle class knew me. There were also many dandies who pursued me.
Since our family was bankrupt, they wouldn't let me go easily.
I drank until my stomach bled, being humiliated and insulted. Someone even forced me to kneel to lick the spilled drinks from the ground and pressed cigarette butts on my body.
I endured the humiliation, just to save my father's life!
Until that time, I was deliberately intoxicated by them.
In a blur, I felt countless hands tearing at my clothes. No matter how I struggled or called for help, it was in vain.
I came to work, but I never thought of selling myself!
I fumbled, grabbed a bottle, and smashed it hard on the head of the person.
The screams pierced my eardrums, and I stumbled out, ignoring everything. But just as my blood was about to grab the door of the private room, my scalp suddenly tore with pain!
A dull sound rang out.
Someone grabbed my hair and pulled it back forcefully, and my body fell heavily to the ground.
A sudden force pressed down on me, and the glass shards behind me instantly pierced my skin, deeply embedding into my body.
The pungent smell of alcohol wandered around my neck and chest, and several restless hands shamelessly touched my thighs and my body, and it seemed like they were about to touch my private part.
The persistence in my heart collapsed in an instant, and my hand accidentally grabbed a piece of debris. I closed my eyes in despair, wanting to die with these people.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open, and in the next moment, a scream!
The man pressing on me was kicked away by someone.
I looked up and met a cold and stern face.
He took off his suit and gently put it on me. The long-lost kindness suddenly made my cold heart feel a trace of warmth, and inexplicably, I wanted to hold onto him, as if he was the only excuse for me to survive as a person on the brink of death.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Hearing his words, I burst into tears instantly. Before losing consciousness, I only managed to hold his hand tightly and anxiously said, "Please save me."
It was like a cliche story. I used to sneer at it and didn't believe it. But when it really happened, I felt it was so unreal. When I woke up again and saw the man, I confirmed it.
I wasn't dreaming.
I really met a hero.
His name was Nate Ford. He stayed away from womanizing and was also solitary and ruthless.
But he saved me and my mother, and gave me a grand wedding.
After we got married, he doted on me to the extreme. He cooked for me, took care of my daily life, and almost gave me everything.
Whether at home or outside, he was always the same nice husband.
He said that he would avenge me. So he wouldn't let anyone who harmed my family go unpunished!
The warm life and considerate love almost made me forget the pain in Detroit.
A year later, I gave birth to our son Mason and then joined the Ford Group as their chief designer.
Half a year ago, Nate and I started to make those who harmed me and caused the bankruptcy of the Williams Group in Detroit. We wanted them to pay the price!
Originally, I should have gone to Detroit with them, but because of my physical discomfort and my sick mother, I temporarily stayed behind and only let my son go first.
A few days ago, Nate called and sent someone to pick me up.
Because he had started to take action, he wanted me to witness those people going to hell with my own eyes!
Thinking about what Samuel would face next, a slight smile crossed my mind.
Looking at them with disdain, I said coldly, "Samuel, we divorced six years ago. I have nothing to do with you anymore. Why should I apologize to Winnie for you? Are you out of your mind today?"
Bryan asked incredulously, "Mom, why don't you understand me and my dad? We want us three to reunite as a family!"
I looked at him contemptuously and said, "Hasn't your family already reunited? Also, your mom is in Detroit, but this is New York. You've come to the wrong place. Don't block my way. Move aside!"
After speaking, I pushed them away and walked forward.
Bryan looked at me in shock.
In the past, I wouldn't even say anything harsh to him, let alone push him.
Samuel was equally incredulous and shouted, "Rachel, we have booked a flight for tomorrow morning. I hope you can go back to Detroit with us!"
"A family reunion?"
I was afraid they just wanted me, their free nanny to go back to serve them without any regrets!
I didn't bother to talk with them but quickly bought some preserved fruits that my son liked. Then I went home to pack.
However, I didn't expect the coincidence to happen. Nate actually booked me a flight ticket on the same flight as Samuel and Bryan.
Chapter 3When I arrived with my luggage, Samuel and Bryan saw me, and they both smiled.
Bryan glanced at my luggage and sneered, "Mom, it's been six years. How come you still have this habit of saying one thing and meaning another? When will you change this bad habit?
You wanted to go back to Detroit with us, but you turned us down in the first beginning."
Samuel pretended to be mad, and he said, "Bryan, you can't give your mom an attitude. She just loves us so much. Rachel, you..."
"You're nuts."
Hearing my words, Samuel was a bit shocked. I just ignored them and passed by them to the security check.
I had to admit I loved them so much that I could hardly think of myself.
In the past, I was a talented and promising designer.
Because of them, I gave up my dream and career. Samuel thought his career mattered more than mine, and that I was just wasting my time.
I loved him and gave him the chance to manipulate me. I became a 24/7 housewife, doing my best to take care of my husband and my son.
But at this time, I didn't love them anymore. They meant nothing to me.
After the security check, I went to the VIP lounge. As soon as I arrived, Bryan came over, sat down, and started nagging.
"Mom, since you choose to come back with us, there are some things I need to make clear with you. First of all, when you go back, you must apologize to Auntie Winnie. As long as she forgives you, we will let bygones be bygones.
Also, you shouldn't be petty like before. You have to accept Auntie Winnie living in our house, um... she is already living in your bedroom now. So when you go back, you can live in the nanny's room. Be more generous, and take good care of us. Dad and I will still love you as before."
I didn't want to talk to him anymore.
After not seeing each other for a few years, his values had been completely twisted by Winnie. He was completely following her blindly, and there was no hope for him.
I didn't want to talk to him, but he didn't stop causing a scene.
He opened the handbag next to me without any regard for me, took out the preserved fruit and put it in his mouth.
But soon, he spat it out.
"Bah! It's so sweet. Mom, it's only been six years, but you have forgotten that I don't like sweet things? Really, even Auntie Winnie cared about me more than you. She remembers all my preferences. And this peanut pastry, don't you know I'm allergic to peanuts? Are you trying to kill me?"
My face darkened, "These are not prepared for you. Haven't she told you that taking others' things without permission is stealing?"
Bryan angrily grabbed the bag of preserved fruit and threw it on the ground, saying angrily, "You have no right to judge Auntie Winnie! She has made up for the lack of motherly love for me all these years! But you, you ran away so far without caring about me. Look at you, do you look like a mother?"
"Then don't call me mom anymore. I have a son, but it's not you."
Ignoring his stunned look, I took the handbag and prepared to zip it up. Unexpectedly, Bryan quickly snatched the coat that I personally designed and made for Mason, and put it on himself without any regard for me.
In the past, I had specially designed and made clothes for them, but they always despised them.
They scolded me for having no taste and for embarrassing them.
They scolded me for having unrealistic ideas to be a designer.
They said that no one would want to wear the things I designed.
Bryan even tore up the clothes I made for him with scissors and stepped on them.
But they treated Winnie differently. Even if she just played a random tune for them, it would be great.
Bryan gestured a few times and then casually threw it aside when it didn't fit on him.
"Mom, it's been so many years. Why are you still so lame? I've told you so many times that no one wants the shit you make. It's been six years, but why did you make it so small? Are you cursing me for not growing taller? You're really malicious."
I carefully fold the clothes and put them back in the bag.
If it weren't for not wanting to embarrass Nate in public, I would have slapped him in the face!
What a shameless person he was!
I can make a roast pork better than him!
I silently told myself not to get angry. I got up and walked away, sitting directly tens of meters away from them.
But I didn't expect that this father and son were like a sticky plaster.
On the plane, even though I didn't sit with them, they tried every means to change seats and sat next to me.
Samuel sighed, "Rachel, since you're back, can't you lower your head and apologize to me and our son? Winnie's father was killed because of your family, but she doesn't hold a grudge against you. She even helps take care of Bryan and advises me to take you back. Can't you learn from her generosity and understanding?"
I closed my eyes and didn't say a word.
Seeing this, Bryan hurriedly chimed in, "Mom, Auntie Winnie doesn't have any family anymore. She only has us. As long as you don't have the same petty mind as before and get along well with her, our family will live happily together..."
I really wanted to kick them out of the plane!
I clenched my fist and looked at them expressionlessly, saying, "I have my own family. Why do I need to join your family?"
Samuel heard my words and thought I was still throwing a tantrum. He looked helpless and said, "Rachel, Williams Group has already closed down. Your parents have always been living in New York, right? You only have us in Detroit, and we are your family."
I smiled and said, "I'm going back to my own home. I've told you I have my own family."
Samuel and his son looked at me as if they had heard a big joke, laughing and saying nothing, Until the plane landed in Detroit.
As soon as I walked out of the gate, I saw a small figure rushing towards me.
Mason jumped into my arms and affectionately rubbed his head against mine, sweetly calling out, "Mom! You're finally back. Dad and I missed you so much!"
Samuel and Bryan's faces changed instantly when they heard this, and their eyes looked at us at the same time.