Chapter 180

Brian's POV

I pushed open the front door, keeping my head down as I hurried into the living room. The burning sensation from Dad's slap still lingered on my cheek, though I'd already cried all my tears out in the car.That confrontation with Dad at the kindergarten had been terrible-I couldn't help telling him the truth, telling him this was all his fault, that he was the one who introduced me to Sarah, who made me distance myself from Mom. And then he did something he'd never done before-he slapped me.

"How can you just abandon your mother?" I remembered him asking,right before that loud, stinging slap landed on my face.

I rubbed mny cheek, hoping the swelling would go down a bit. Mitchell had remained silent throughout the drive, only occasionally glancing at me through the rearview mirror. He knew what had happened, but he didn't say anything. which I found somewhat comforting.

When I got home, I was hoping to slip straight to my room, but Grandma Ruth was already waiting in the living room. The moment she saw me, the gentle smile on her face instantly froze.

"Brian, what's wrong? Are you feeling down?" Grandma immediately put down her magazine and walked toward me.

"No," I hurriedly lowered my head, "I'm just a little tired from studying. I want to go rest."

But Grandma had already reached me and gently lifted my chin. When she saw the redness and swelling on my face, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Who hit your face?" Grandma's voice suddenly became frightening.nothing like her usual gentle tome.

Before I could answer. Mitchell had already walked in. Seeing the scene before him. he angrily said, "You should look in the mirror and see your face properly. It's swollen almost as big as an apple!"

"I'm fine. Grandma," I tried to make my voice sound casual, "it's just a small scrape, don't worry."

"Mitchell, what exactly happened?" Grandma completely ignored my words and asked Mitchell directly.

"Philip Baker did it." Mitchell answered without hesitation. "You tell me,this Wall Street elite Philip, is there something wrong with his brain? He's already abandoned Brian, yet he still hits him. What right does he have!"

Grandma's face instantly turned ashen with anger. "Exactly! I'mn going to demand an explanation from him right now!"

Hearing this. I panicked and quickly grabbed Grandma's sleeve. "But Grandma, we haven't had dinner yet. If you go now, you'll be hungry.Besides, he was probably just angry for a moment. Mom used to say we shouldn't act impulsively when things happen, but calm down first and then handle the situation."

After saying this,I suddenly realized I had started thinking like Mom.Without even noticing, I had begun to imitate her way of handling problems-calm, rational, not swayed by emotions. This realization made me feel both proud and a little sad, because I didn't know if Mom would be pleased with my growth at this moment.

Mitchell also joined in persuading her: "Brian's right, it's better to eat something first..."

Grandma finally calmed down. She gently stroked my swollen face.her eyes full of concern. "It must hurt terribly. That Philip hit you like he wanted to kill you. You're his son, not his enemy. How could he do this?"

Fighting through the pain. I tried to sound casual as I replied, "Probably because he was stupid enough to lose Annie, and then he didn't want his child either... Now he's all alone in that mansion with no one to talk to,and slowly his brain just went bad?"

"That must be it." Grandma nodded, though I could tell her anger hadn't completely subsided.

I attempted to smile, but the pain in my face made me wince and suck in a sharp breath. Grandma brought an ice pack and carefully placed it on my face. The cold sensation provided some relief from the pain.

That night. I slept restlessly, my dreams filled with Dad's angry face and Mom-Annie's retreating back as she walked away. Even in my dreams,I couldn't reach her no matter howw fast I ran. I missed her so much it hurt worse than my swollen cheek. If only I could go back in time and undo all my mistakes, tell Sarah to leave us alone, and just be Mom's little boy again. But I'd chosen wrong, and now I had to live with it.

When morning came, my face still throbbed, but the swelling had gone down a little. I splashed cold water on my face, careful to avoid the tender spot, and stared at my reflection. The boy looking back at me seemed older somehow, like yesterday's slap had forced me to grow up faster than I should have.

The smell of pancakes drifted upstairs-Grandma's special recipe. At least some things stayed the same, even when everything else was falling apart. Downstairs. I sat at the dining table eating my ccreal.occasionally stealing glances at Grandma. Her movements as she prepared more breakfast looked the sameas usual, but I knew she was still angry about yesterday.I needed to find a way to distract her.

"Grandma," I put down my spoon and said quietly, "our Upper East Side Private Preschool has a performance today. I hope you can come with me Mitchell and Ms. Taylor will be there too."

Grandma turned around, looking somewhat puzzled. "Is it okay to have so many people?"

"Of course it is!" I answered immediately, hoping to convince her."The other kids in my class all have their moms and dads there.I'm the only one who doesn't. But I think, with Mlitchell and Ms. Taylor, I would feel at least a little better. And with you there as my actual family, I won't be too different from the other kids."

As I said these words, I felt a pang of sadness. My classmates had been asking questions now,which I found ashamed to answer.

"Of course, don't worry. I'll definitely be there," Grandma's voice interrupted my thoughts,her eyes full of sympathy.

I immediately jumped down from my chair ad ran excitedly to my room.

I took out the Brooks Brothers suit I had prepared and handed it to Grandma. "This is what I decided to wear! I look really nice in it. DDon't forget to bring it this afternoon, okay?"

"No problem," Grandma smiled, gently stroking my hair.

After breakfast, I put on my backpack and prepared to leave, but I noticed Grandma was following behind me. "Why are you coming too?" I asked curiously.

Grandma affectionately ruffled my hair. "To drop you off at school,and then I need to buy a few things."

"That's great!" I happily took Grandmai's hand. With her by my side. I felt like the luckiest kid in the world.

In thecar, I chattered excitedly to Grandma about everything happening at kindergarten-our performance, my small role, the new things I'd learned recently. Grandma smiled as she listened, occasionally nodding or asking me questions. But Inoticed that her eyes would sometimes become very serious, as if she were contemplating something important.

When we reached the kindergarten in the Upper East Side, I waved goodbye to Grandma. "See you this afternoon, Grandma! Don't forget my suit!"

Grandma nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, I won't forget."

I was about to turn and walk through the gates when I inadvertently saw Grandma saying something to Mitchell. Her expression suddenly became serious. Mitchell nodded, his face also showing anger. I thought I heard the words "Philip" and "explanation."

Suddenly,I understood-Grandma was going to confront Dad.

I hesitated. wondering if I should run back and stop her, but the school gates had already closed.