Chapter 10 Lies

On the way back, Joyce looked particularly listless. Closing her eyes in defeat, she kept silent all the way.

Henrik had been the Lu family's doctor for years. He knew what happened between his client, Joyce, and the richest man in J City, Braydon.

Seeing how distressed she was, he wanted to say something, but before he could figure out what to say, Joyce spoke. "Henrik, I'm tired. I really don't want to say anything more about him."

Henrik sighed and swallowed back what he wanted to say. "Okay, we can drop the subject."

However, after a hesitant pause, he added, "But as your doctor, I still have to say something for the sake of your condition. I advise you to solve this matter as soon as possible to lessen your stress level, which will do your physical and mental health a lot of good."

Joyce didn't say anything. She gazed outside the window, tracing complicated patterns on the glass absentmindedly.

Thinking it was nothing, Henrik turned away. Unbeknownst to him, Joyce was tracing the letters of a person's name, over and over again.

The letters she traced read "Braydon."

It was said that one's name could be the shortest curse. Once upon a time, the name "Braydon" was music to Joyce's ears; but now, his name was nothing but a nightmare.

Every stroke was like a knife slicing her heart, leaving bloodied gashes.

When they got home, Joyce wasn't in the mood to do anything. The events of the day made her feel completely spent.

When they were done eating lunch, it was time for Albert's nap. She scooped him into her arms and carried him to the bedroom on the second floor.

As she was tucking him into bed, he looked at her inquisitively. "Mom, why did the bad guy in the amusement park look so much like me?"

Joyce froze.

Unable to come up with an excuse, she echoed what she said earlier to Braydon. "Some people just look alike, that's all."

Albert, being the bright child that he was, was not easily appeased. "You're lying. My teacher said that no two leaves are the same, so how can I look so much like that guy? We must be related!"

Joyce could practically see the little cogs and gears in Albert's brain whirling.

"Our teacher also said that father and son look alike. Mom, is that guy my biological father?"

Joyce was at a loss for words.

The things taught in the kindergarten were so profound now! And all this time, she had thought they were but innocent and lovely children who only ate snacks and played games.

Under her son's intent gaze, Joyce stubbornly asked, "Isn't your father Henrik? As for that man in the park, your resemblance is really just a coincidence."

"Henrik is my stepfather. You guys are a couple, but we're not related by blood!"

Joyce almost choked. What made this little boy think there was something romantic going on between her and Henrik?

'Stepfather? Not related by blood?' Children nowadays knew too much-too much for their own good.

Joyce pressed her slender fingers against her temples, unable to deal with this boy's intelligence. "Albert, first of all, Henrik and I are not couple. He is my doctor, and even personally, he and I are just friends. That's all."