Chapter 10

The car belonged to the Sterlings. Hayden had seen it many times back at the Sterling residence. Francis had bought the MPV specifically for Morgan to travel to school. It was spacious, so it was often used by the family. But Hayden had never once ridden in it. Morgan always had a chauffeur to drive him around, while Hayden had never gotten the same treatment. He always had to go to school by himself, no matter the weather. Even when he was drenched from the rain or overheated from the sun, no one ever showed concern for him. The MPV had always been for the Sterlings, or more specifically, for Morgan. "We've already severed ties. Why are you here looking for me?" Hayden's eyes were cold as he scanned everyone that stepped out of the car, including Anna, who he had rarely seen. Lily rolled her eyes and didn't bother to look at him directly. "Stop pretending. Your act is getting too fake. Do you think we don't know what you're scheming? "That so-called agreement doesn't hold any legal weight. You're just trying to get more out of us, so you're willing to risk it all for a bigger payday." From the moment she realized Hayden had an ulterior motive, she had felt disgusted by his schemes and calculations. "Enough!" Charlotte interrupted Lily and took a step forward. She wanted to get closer to Hayden and take a look at the wound on his head. But he instinctively stepped back, maintaining a distance between them. "Ms. Peterson, be quick if you have something to say. I don't want the entire neighborhood knowing I have anything to do with the Sterling family." Hayden's icy tone froze the atmosphere around them. "What's wrong with people knowing? Is it a shame to be connected to the Sterlings?" Lily shot back, full of rage. "M-Ms. Peterson?" Charlotte was visibly shaken, and she struggled to process his words. Did he just call her Ms. Peterson? "We were too harsh yesterday. Can we just go home? We're family after all. There's nothing we can't talk through. Even though you may have picked up some bad habits along the way…" Charlotte's eyebrows furrowed as she caught herself mid-sentence and realized that her words were again inappropriate. She was a mother, and she knew how differently she treated her two sons. Hayden had been away from the Sterlings for 15 years. Apart from a biological connection, there was little to no emotional bond between them. But Morgan was different. He was a child that she had raised, and she had watched him grow from a boy to a man. He was a perfect man in every sense—refined, well-educated, moral, and kind. Ever since she knew that Hayden had grown up in an environment of lower class, she couldn't help but worry that he might bring undesirable traits into their home—bad habits, dishonesty, and a filthy mind. While those could be changed, she was too afraid that he might end up being a bad influence to Morgan. Charlotte pursed her lips and stared at Hayden. Deep down, she was trying to convince herself that she still had to take responsibility for her own child, Hayden. "I was in the wrong. I'll treat you better from now on and guide you. Let's go home, alright?" She was nervous as she extended her hand, as if wanting to pull him over to her. Her eyes showed eagerness while she waited for Hayden's reply. The Sterling sisters watched from behind Charlotte and waited as well. If he took her hand, it would mean that he was willing to return home. After all, Charlotte had lowered herself to give Hayden a chance. He had no reason to refuse. But instead, Hayden stood still and looked calmly at her. His gaze was cold and indifferent, like he was looking at a stranger. "Let's go home." Charlotte's voice trembled slightly as she choked out the words. She lifted her hand again and waited for his response. "Are you done?" Hayden said flatly, his expression unchanged. Then, he turned and began to walk away, ignoring everyone's reaction. The others were stunned in disbelief. Charlotte's eyes welled up, and she could hardly believe what had happened. Her own son had just rejected her. Was he truly so heartless? "What's the meaning of this, Hayden? I wasn't even going to ask you to apologize to me but only to Morgan. Isn't that already forgiving enough? Who are you trying to impress with this pathetic attitude?" Lily couldn't hold back her anger and exploded. She wanted to go up to Hayden and scold him, but was held back by Julia. Hayden paused and turned to face them. "Forgive me? I don't need your forgiveness. And apologize to Morgan? Ha! You still think I owe him one?" The whole situation seemed ridiculous to him. Their relationship had already gone sour, and they still thought that they could convince him to go back? Were they that dense? "You don't need to apologize. Just come home. I'll agree to anything if you just come home." Charlotte's desperation rose when she saw Hayden stopping in his tracks. "Oh?" Hayden raised his brow and mocked, "Then, how about making Morgan leave?" "What?" The entire group gasped. His attitude was still the same as the day before. Lily's fury boiled over and she snapped, "Do you really think we came here to beg you to return? Mom's already ready to give you a chance. You won't get another one. And you'd have to be crazy not to take it!" "Am I the one who's crazy? I made myself clear yesterday—I'll only stay if he leaves. You might want to get your head checked," Hayden mocked, pointing to his own head. "You bastard! Who are you calling crazy?" Lily was livid. She couldn't believe that Hayden would dare to speak to her that way. Never in the three years he had been with the Sterlings had he dared to defy them like that. But now, he had reached the point of openly insulting them. "That's right. I'm a bastard. If you want me to be part of the Sterling family, that makes the Sterlings a bunch of bastards too!" Hayden couldn't help but laugh, not caring about Lily's humiliation of him. He might have insulted both the Sterlings and himself, but it felt satisfying. "Hayden, please reconsider. Are you really not coming home? I don't want to lose you. "Morgan's also a child I've raised all these years. He's also family. How could you ask me to cut him off? "Please don't make things difficult for me. Come home with me, please? We'll start over anew, okay?" Charlotte choked out with sobs, her eyes were tearful and pleading. Hayden shrugged and said casually, "Ms. Peterson, I get how you're feeling. When someone raises a dog, they would feel attached to it. But the truth is, you've never cared about me—not even a little. "I can't even be compared to a dog. If you love Morgan so much, why cling to me now? Isn't it better for everyone if I stayed away?" He had already seen through the Sterlings and felt no sadness or regret. "How could you say that? Morgan has done nothing wrong. Why should he be forced to leave because of you?" Julia frowned as she questioned Hayden coldly. Hayden replied calmly, "There doesn't always have to be a reason. It's no use explaining to you anymore. Let's just cut ties and go our separate ways as strangers, like I said yesterday. Isn't that for the best?"