Chapter 112

Philip's POV

After dropping my mother off at her house, I returned to my office. For several minutes, I simply stood in front of the windows, staring out as darkness began to fall.

I couldn't understand why I kept allowing Sarah to cause Annie pain.Each time Annie endured another unfair attack, she moved one step further away from me. The most painful realization was how deeply uncomfortable Annie's absence from my life had made me. I found myself wishing I could go back in time-I would leave Sarah, focus on creating a beautiful life with Annie, and be the husband she deserved.

But it was too late for regrets now.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

I quickly adjusted my expression. "Come in," I called out.

Ruth Miller burst into my office, her face red with anger. "Philip Baker,what is wrong with you?"

I immediately stood to greet her. Though Annie might have given up on me and Brian, her mother was still a connection to her. If I could make a good impression on Ruth, perhaps she would think I was worthwhile and convince Annie to reconcile with me.

I forced a smile. "Mom, please have a seat."

"Don't pretend to be cordial," Ruth said coldly. "I've moved into Brian's house-your and Annie's former home. That child needs someone to look after him."

I stared at her in surprise. "You've moved in?"

"I had to." Ruth's eyes blazed with fury, "because his father has completely abandoned his son! The boy is five years old, Philip! Five!"

I attempted to defend myself. "It's not that simple..."

"When you divorced my daughter and got together with Sarah," Ruth interrupted, raising her voice, "I convinced myself you had found true love,so I never criticized you."

The pain in her tone made me uncomfortable.

"I just thought Annie deserved better. Annie supported you when you had nothing, quietly helping you achieve the success you have today. And how did you repay her? As soon as you had money and your first love came back,you only had eyes for Sarah."

Though I knew Ruth despised me for this, she had always kept her feelings buried. Apparently, today she wasn't going to remain silent.

I quickly apologized. "Mom, I know I was wrong."

"Hmph!" Ruth wasn't a naive girl; she easily detected the insincerity in my tone."Do you really?"

I nodded solemnly. "Absolutely!"

"I don't believe you," Ruth responded coldly. "If you were truly sorry, you wouldn't continuously let Sarah manipulate you and neglect your own son!

I tried to defend myself. "Have you considered why I'm doing this?"Ruth's disgust at my attempt to excuse myself only intensified."Philip

Baker, whatever your reasons, neglecting a child who cannot take care of himself only proves one thing you're despicable."

"As for your romantic issues, I won't comment too much."

"The last time I saw Annie," Ruth suddenly said, with a hint of pride in her voice, "she looked completely different.".

My heart tightened slightly. "What do you mean?"

"She's no longer that depressed woman," Ruth looked directly into my eyes,

"she's very happy now, her face glowing with a radiance I haven't seen in years. She told me she has a good job at Howard Technologies and can fully support herself independently."

Ruth's lips curved slightly upward, "She says she's finally found her worth and peace. My daughter is more beautiful and stronger than before she left you."

I maintained my composure, but inside I was pierced by a sharp pain.Although I had already heard the news about Annie and Howard being together,hearing these details from her mother, confirming that she had truly moved on, was harder to bear than I had imagined. I had naively thought that Annie might still harbor some feelings for me, but that hope was now completely shattered. I remembered the woman who had once given everything for me, only for me to push her away with my own hands.

I lowered my head, trying to hide the pain flickering in my eyes.

I quickly tried to explain. "But there are reasons for all this. After Sarah and I got together, Brian was always causing problems..."

Ruth angrily slapped my desk. "Brian initially loved Sarah, I know that

very well," she said coldly. "He chose her over his own mother."

"Now you're telling me that as soon as Sarah started dating you,Brian mysteriously developed issues with her?"

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

Ruth's sharp words left me pale-faced.

Seeing my reaction, Ruth decided she had said enough. "I've made my position clear."

"You haven't been taking care of Brian or treating him well."

"When you're old and he doesn't want to support you, don't complain!"

I found Ruth's defense of Brian and criticism of me unbearable. "Rest assured. I won't complain," I responded tensely.

"Sarah is carrying my child," I continued. "Once this child is born, I'll leave all my assets to them. No need to trouble Brian."

Ruth sighed deeply, her eyes flashing with a moment of realization.

"You know," Ruth said slowly, her voice low and firm,"I originally didn't understand why Annie was so determined to leave you. But now I get it."She looked directly into my eyes, "If you can be so cold to your own child,what could Annie expect?"

Her words pierced my chest like a sharp blade. I was speechless because,to some extent, I knew she was right.

"Under these circumstances, record a video statement as evidence," Ruth suggested.

"In the video, state what year it is now, the size of your company, and its approximate annual profit. That way, when you grow old and seek Brian's support, he can simply show the video to everyone. It would prove that you abandoned him when you were making money. No one will blame Brian for refusing to care for such a father."Ruth continued: "Also mention your current age, Brian's current age, and clearly state that you've decided to stop supporting Brian and don't expect him to take care of you in the future."

Ruth added, "Once you do this and I have the video, I promise we won't bother you again. Don't worry-even if Brian needs money, I'll find a way to take care of him myself. I promise he will never ask you for money.How does that sound?"

I found Ruth's proposal absurd. I had only intended to teach Brian a lesson, expecting that once Brian ran out of money,he would recognize his mistake...

Then I would forgive him and restore his allowance.

But after Ruth's intervention...

I almost wanted to completely wash my hands of Brian.

I didn't immediately agree. "Are you sure about this?"

Ruth nodded firmly, with no hesitation in her gaze. "Yes, I'm absolutely certain."

If I record this video, I thought, Ruth might see that I'm willing to compromise. She could tell Annie that I've changed, that I'm more reasonable now. This might be my last chance to get Annie back.

I picked up my phone, pointed it at my face, and began recording.

After finishing, I sent the video directly to Ruth. "I hope you never regret this."

"Don't worry," Ruth answered after checking the video to ensure it contained all the content they had discussed. "I will never regret it."

As Ruth prepared to leave my office, she suddenly stopped,turned to look at me, with a certain determination in her eyes.

"Philip," she said quietly, "Ive decided to call Annie."

My heart suddenly accelerated, my palms beginning to sweat. "What are you going to tell her?"

Ruth's gaze fixed on me, her voice firm: "Everything. Everything that happened today. Including your plan to abandon Brian for Sarah's child."

"You can't do that!" I instinctively raised my voice, then forced myself to calm down. "It will hurt Brian..."

This wasn't what I thought it would be.

"Do you really care about hurting anyone, Philip?" Ruth questioned, "All you care about is yourself, nothing more."

She turned toward the door, but looked back one last time: "I want Annie to know she made the right decision. Leaving you was the wisest choice of her life."

With that, Ruth slammed the door shut.