Chapter 209

Sarah's POV

"I won't be giving her another centfor living expenses, and you won't be getting any either." Philip's cold voice came through the phone,and then the call disconnected.

I stood in the coffee shop bathroom, staring at my phone screen in disbelief. This couldn't be happening! Philip had never refused any of my requests before, no matter how unreasonable. Even when I demanded he get a vasectomy-an absolutely outrageous request-he ultimately gave in.didn't he?

But his tone just now-that coldness and detachment-it was like hearing a complete stranger. I could hardly connect this person with the weak-willed man who had always bent to my every whim.

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind, making me laugh bitterly at myself: Philip probably never truly loved me, just as he never truly loved Annie. He only loved himself. His anger now wasn't because I had hurt his feelings, but because I had injured his body and his pride. These successful men were all the same-their true bottom line wasn't love, but face.

Poor Annie, wasting so many years with such a selfish man. No wonder she could so quickly fall into Howard Thompson's arms. Thinking about this, I suddenly felt a strange sympathy for Annie, despite always hating that gentle, virtuous facade she maintained.

I composed myself, wiping away the tears of anger that had escaped from the corners of my eyes, and carefully put back on that meticulously designed mask of sweetness before preparing to return to Betty.

When I returned to our table at the café. Betty was elegantly sipping her tea. Seeing her looking so supremely confident. I almost felt a twinge of pity-she had no idea about the shock that was coming.

"What's wrong, dear? You look pale," Betty asked with concern as she set down her teacup.

I took a deep breath and got straight to the point: "Philip just called me.He said he won't be giving me any living expenses anymore."

Betty's expression barely changed, merely giving a dismissive wave of her hand. "Don't worry. He might not care about an unborn child, but I am his mother. He won't abandon me. When he gives me money, I'll pass some to you."

Hearing her speak like this, I felt a surge of irritation. Had she even understood what I said? "But he specifically said he won't be giving you any money either," I emphasized, hoping this fact would penetrate her shell of confidence.

Betty finally showed a flicker of surprise, but quickly shook her head with a smile. "Impossible! Even if I forced him to do something he didn't want to do, I'm still his mother. He wouldn't cut off my funds over such a small matter. That boy, from childhood to adulthood-when has he ever truly rebelled against me?"

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Betty's understanding of her son was clearly not as deep as she believed.

"Maybe you should call him yourself to confirm?" I suggested, while secretly worrying she might discover that I had concealed certain details of my conversation with Philip.

Betty nodded and pulled out her phone. "I will. He's just upset right now.I'm sure his response to me won't be much different from what he told you.I'll call and comfort him."

She dialed Philip's number, but all that came through was a busy signal.Betty's brow furrowed slightly-the first visible sign of her emotional disturbance.

"He's probably just on another call," she muttered to herself,and tried again, still unable to connect.

After several attempts, Betty's elegant facade began to crack. She borrowed the café's phone from a server. I noticed her fingers trembling slightly,which gave me a small jolt of satisfaction-seeing this usually confident woman display signs of panic wasn't an everyday occurrence.

This timne, the call connected. Betty gestured for me to lean in, and we listened together.

"Who is this?" Philip's voice came through, flat and devoid of any emotion.

"It's your mother!" Betty nearly shouted, shock and anger intermingling in her voice. "You've blocked my number?"

"Yes," Philip answered briefly.

My heart rate accelerated-he had really cut off contact with Betty!

"Why?" Betty pressed, the confidence in her voice now clearly shaken.

"Do you really not know?" Philip countered, with a calm in his tone I had never heard before. This wasn't his formerly indecisive attitude-he had changed.

Betty was momentarily speechless, while I felt a chill crawl up my spine.This new version of Philip felt unfamiliar, even somewhat frightening.

Philip continued, "When you threatened to jump off a building to force me into having surgery, you should have realized that my compliance would come at a price. I may have given in, but from now on, I won't listen to another word you say."

Betty's face turned pale as she gripped the phone tightly. "I was only doing what was best for you."

"I don't need that kind of help," Philip responded coldly. "And I won't be financially supporting Sarah either. Whether she keeps the child or terminates the pregnancy is her decision-it has nothing to do with me."

I felt dizzy. Philip was completely denaying any connection to this child! He spoke with such certainty, as if he truly didn't care. Had I completely misjudged his character? Or had my manipulation finally pushed him to a corner,inadvertently setting him free?

Betty was clearly panicking now. "Then who will take care of you in your old age?" she threw out what she believed to be her strongest threat.

"If Brian is willing to forgive me, I still have him as a son. If not,I'll grow old alone," Philip answered with such firmness that both Betty and I were stunned.

Brian? He actually mentioned Brian? The son he had almost completely neglected? I realized Philip might be serious-he would rather try torepair his relationship with his ex-wife and son than continue being manipulated by us.

Betty began to cry. "How could you do this? You're throwing away all my

good intentions! Who do you think I forced you to have this surgery for?Wasn't it to give you another child?"

"You didn't do it for anyone but yourself," Philip's voice was ruthlessly cold. "You did it to satisfy your need for control. When I had that surgery,you must have felt proud that you could still control your son. Whether you blackmailed or manipulated me into sacrificing my reproductive rights doesn't matter anymore."

I had to admit. Philip's analysis was spot on. Neither Betty nor I truly cared about him or the child-we just wanted to control him,albeit through different means.

"No, that's not true,"Betty's voice trembled with tears.

"Whether it's true or not doesn't matter anymore," Philip concluded calmly.

"All you need to know is that from today onward, we have no relationship." Then, the call disconnected.

"Philip!" Betty screamed, immediately trying to call back, only to discover she had indeed been blocked.

I watched as Betty frantically pulled out her own phone, making several calls-but all attempts ended in failure. Philip had severed contact with her completely.

Watching this once proud woman completely break down in public, I felt strangely calm inside. What did Philip's departure mean to me? When one door closes, another inevitably opens.

Robert was still obsessed with me, ready to become my fallback option at any time. But my gaze had already fallen on Howard Thompson-that"good man" who gave up dating for his niece. A perfect target who cared

about single mothers.

"This can't be happening..." Betty murmured, her voice filled with despair.

"I am his mother..."

Hah,how pitiful.