Chapter 11

Hayden once again rejected Charlotte's request with an indifferent attitude. The results wouldn't end up any differently from his past life if he went back with the Sterling family now. He understood these people all too well. Unless a person shared a deep connection with them, everything that person offered to them would be in vain, and they'd be treated like dirt. Just then, Charlotte asked with a sob, "How did it come to this? How can we be strangers when we're mother and son? Must you be so heartless and force me like this?" She felt her heart shatter as she continued to cry uncontrollably. How could Hayden try and guilt-trip her to drive Morgan away as a condition for him to head home with them? Did Hayden have to force her to choose between the both of them when they were both her sons? "Do you really not care at all, Hayden? She's your mother! Don't you think you're being too heartless?" Julia berated as her face twisted in anger. Their purpose was to bring Hayden back to the Sterling residence, but clearly, Hayden was determined to humiliate them as he showed them no respect. "Mom, let's not bother with him and head home ourselves. It's his problem if he wants to rot out here so stubbornly. "Besides, he'd definitely come crawling back to us once he experiences the harsh reality of the world!" Lily proceeded to comfort Charlotte as she helped her up. There was a sharp hint of resentment present in Lily's eyes as she glared at Hayden. She couldn't hate him more than she already did because Hayden had made Charlotte cry, but she also felt dissatisfied with Charlotte for being too soft with him. If Lily had come alone, she would've turned on her heels and left very early on. Meanwhile, Anna leaned against the MPV and looked at Hayden with much interest. Her eyes flickered as she scanned him all over. It was pretty fascinating to see how much Hayden had changed over the years. Back then, Hayden wasn't as hard-hearted as he was now, and Anna wondered when he had started to change. At that moment, Hayden looked at the time and said indifferently, "Please leave if you're done here!" Just as Hayden turned to leave, Charlotte decided to give it one last shot. She choked out with a contorted expression, "You're both my sons, so can't you just make peace with him for my sake?" At that, Hayden turned around and let out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm your son, and he's your foster son. Can't you tell who's supposed to be more important? "I know you treat Morgan as your foster son, but is he really just a foster son? Ha! You just don't know when to give up, do you?" After he said that, Hayden turned to leave without a single trace of hesitation. In the end, they officially parted ways on a sour note, and Charlotte was truly disheartened by his determination to leave. "Hayden, my son…" Charlotte choked out as she burst out in tears and cried her heart out. There was nothing she could do besides watch as Hayden's silhouette disappeared into the building. "Let's go now, Mom. Why do you have to beg that ingrate so desperately?" Lily pulled Charlotte up to the car with much displeasure. Even after they entered the car, Charlotte's tears continued to stream down her face. She couldn't stop crying, and Lily could only comfort her helplessly. "Let's go," Julia told Anna with a sigh. "Alright," Anna replied as soon as she snapped out of her daze, her eyes still lingering where Hayden had stood earlier. A trace of uncertainty flashed across her eyes, but she held back from saying anything. Soon enough, the MPV left the housing complex. At the same time, Jenny glued herself to the window and watched the situation unfold from her room. Although she couldn't hear what they were saying, she could see that the Sterling family members' expressions were far from pleasant. After she noted that they had left without Hayden, Jenny sprinted out of her room in excitement. The moment she opened the door to her room, she noticed a figure standing in front of her and pounced on him immediately. "I'm so glad that you didn't leave, Hayden. Have you decided to stay here?" Jenny asked happily as she buried her head into his chest, feeling a sense of warmth and tranquility. Hayden chuckled as he patted her head. "I've said before that I wouldn't lie to you, didn't I?" Upon hearing that, Jenny felt even more at ease. However, she straightened up when she thought of something and looked at Hayden anxiously. "Those people from the Sterling family wouldn't come and take revenge on you, would they?" "They won't," Hayden replied briefly. He knew that he wasn't worth the Sterling family's time or attention, so they wouldn't bother themselves with revenge. Besides, the only reason they acted so high and mighty was because they prided themselves as people of elite status and power. "Also, don't let Mom and Dad know what happened today. I don't want them to worry," Hayden stated seriously. "Alright. I understand!" Jenny nodded obediently. She knew just as much as Hayden did that James and Serena would only be worried over it. What mattered most now was that Hayden wasn't leaving, and that alone was enough for her. Concurrently, the MPV finally arrived at the Sterling residence. All of them wore solemn expressions, and the air was heavy with silence. They couldn't accept the fact that Hayden had persistently rejected them until the end, even when they had taken the initiative to invite him back themselves. "Mom! You're all back! Where's Hayden? Is he still inside the car?" Morgan greeted them with a smile as his eyes flickered toward the car. He felt extremely anxious. If Hayden had actually returned, it would set off a major upheaval. "He didn't come back with us," Julia responded quietly as she shook her head. "What?" Morgan exclaimed in shock, but he could hardly suppress the slight smile that crept upon his lips. It was great news to him that Hayden chose not to return. As long as Hayden never returned, Morgan would thrive in the Sterling family. "Morgan, you wouldn't leave me, right?" Charlotte wailed as she hugged Morgan. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll never leave you, and I'll take care of you forever!" Morgan promised as he comforted her. Having seen Morgan now that she was back, Charlotte felt much better. She nodded as she pulled Morgan to the couch to have a chat. Thinking that the matter was finally over, Julia let out a breath of relief. All of a sudden, she shifted her line of sight and noticed Anna's frown. It looked as if the latter was troubled by something. "What's wrong?" Julia asked quietly. Hearing that, Anna froze for a moment before she snapped out of her thoughts. Then, she met Julia's eyes and signaled for Julia to follow her. Once they arrived at the balcony on the rooftop, Anna locked the door and checked their surroundings to make sure that they were alone. "What did you call me here for?" Julia asked in confusion. "Julia, do you understand what Hayden said earlier?" Anna asked meaningfully.