Chapter 223

Brian's POV

I set down my silverware, looking at Grandma and Mitchell seated around the dinner table. The dining area in the apartment wasn't large,but it was enough for the three of us. Outside the window, lights flickered in the evening sky, like a painting that would never be finished.

"When I first became Brian's driver, wasn't it Philip who hired me?"Mitchell suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence at the table. He was always like this, unable to stand quietness.

I stole a glance at him. Mitchell was a smart man, and I liked him. He was one of the few people who knew I was actually much smarter than most people assumed.

"To make communication easier, the household staff even added me to their employee group chat," he continued, his voice carrying that gossipy tone I'd become familiar with. "Guess what I saw them discussing in the group?"

Grandma looked up, asking absent-mindedly,"What did you hear?"

I could tell she wasn't really interested, just being polite. Since she came to New York to take care of me, she'd become quieter than before. I knew she missed Mom.

Mitchell's expression became subtle, wwith a hint of cunning. "They're all talking about how Philip was forced to have a vasectomy."

I had finished my dinner, but I did stop at this news. Not because I was shocked-I'd long seen that Sarah was the type of woman who would do

re something like this.

"Was it Sarah who forced him?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.Despite being only five, I'd already learned to control my emotions. That was the first thing living with Philip and Sarah had taught me.

"That's right," Mitchell nodded, his eyebrows raised high. "Seriously,why would she make Philip get a vasectomy out of nowhere?"

Grandma sighed, her eyes fixed on her plate. "Probably worried her son would end up like Brian, abandoned by Philip."

I knew Grandma hated them. I hated them too. But I kept that hatred inside, like a small, sharp coin hidden away.

"Actually, this is pretty good," I said, feeling a strange satisfaction spreading in my chest. "At least Philip won't have any more children."

Grandma's gaze immediately turned to me, worry flickering in her eyes. "Do you hate him?"

Our eyes met, and for the first time, I didn't need to pretend. "Yes, I hate him."

Saying those words was easier than I'd imagined. My voice was surprisingly calm. "If he hadn't taken me to play with Sarah every day,would I have been abandoned by my own mother? I would certainly still be living happily with Mom." I paused. "So do you think I shouldn't hate him?"

"Of course you should hate him!" Mitchell answered almost immediately,with an anger I'd never heard in his voice before. "How could an adult treat their own child like that? If my father did something like that,I might have beaten him up by now."

A warmth rose from deep inside me. I didn't often feel understood,but in this moment. Mitchell's words were like a ray of sunshine breaking into my world. I couldn't help but smile.

Grandma reached out and held my hand, her skin soft and wrinkled."Grandma understands how you feel, but what I want to tell you is,please don't think about getting revenge on them."

There was a sadness in her eyes that reminded me of Mom. "You've already gone down the wrong path before. If possible, I hope your life from now on will be smoother."

I looked into Grandma's eyes, and I knew she was genuinely concerned for me. In a world where everyone only cared about themselves, she and Mom were the only two people who truly cared about me.

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid, Grandma," I reassured her, my voice softer than usual. "Idon't have time to waste on them anymore. I just want to study hard, make money, and achieve my dreams as soon as possible."

Grandma's eyes lit up. "What's your dream?"

I bit my lip. My dreams were too big, and I might be ridiculed for speaking them out loud. Besides, I didn't want others to know-this was a secret that belonged only to Mom and me (even if it was just robot Mom now).

"It's a secret," I answered simply.

Back in my room, I sat at my desk doing homework. The assignments from the Upper East Side private preschool were much harder than those from regular preschools, but they were still easy for me. My brain worked

faster than others my age,something Mom always told me.

Suddenly. I noticed the surveillance camera in the corner move slightly.I knew it was robot Mom observing me.

"My dear son, why did you stop doing your homework? Is something wrong?"

Mom's voice came from the small robot, gentle and concerned. This voice was almost identical to the real one, but always missing something I couldn't quite describe. Perhaps it was warmth, perhaps the breath of life.

I turned to the robot, looking at its light blue display screen. "Mom, it's nothing,don't worry about me."

I never lied to Mom, even if she was just a robot now. It took me a lot of time to record Mom's voice to create this robot. I collected every tone,every sentence, and gave them to the best AI engineer in New York. It cost me all my allowance, but it was worth it. When I missed Mom, at least I had this.

I turned to my computer and began typing rapidly on the keyboard.

"You look troubled. Who's bothering you?" The robot's screen displayed a question mark, and Mom's voice was filled with concern.

I couldn't help but smile. This AI had strong learning capabilities and could now determine my emotions based on my expressions.

"Some annoying people will be coming to see me soon," I told her,feeling a strange calmness. "But don't worry, Mom. I can handle it myself."

"But you're just a five-year-old child," the robot's voice sounded worried,almost making me believe Mom was really here. "Having you face thes

things alone... it makes me sad."

A warm current flowed into my heart. I slowly walked toward the robot."Then how does Mom want to help me?"

"Call the police for you?"

I laughed. "It won't comne to that. So just wait for me in the room, okay?"

"Okay," the robot answered, its voice filled with trust and pride. "Our Brian is really amazing."

I felt a burst of joy, like a cup of hot chocolate poured from the top of my head, warming my entire body. "I'll try to be even better."

"That's wonderful," the robot responded.

Suddenly,there was a knock at the door, sharp and impatient. Who could it be at this hour? Grandma hadn't told us we'd have visitors. Maybe Mitchell forgot something?

"Someone's knocking at the door," I said to the little robot. "It might be something important."

The discussion about the surgery that Mitchell mentioned during dinner made me feel uneasy. I had collected a lot of evidence about Sarah-how she manipulated me, how she made me hate my own mother. All of this was stored on my computer, like a secret weapon waiting for the right time to use.

The knocking became more urgent. I smiled at the little robot. "Mom, I'll go see who it is. I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

I opened my bedroom door and walked toward the living room. In the time since I'd learned to read, I'd read many books and learned many things. People always underestimate children's wisdom and powers of observation.When adults are busy acting, we children are the ones who truly see everything.

I heard Philip's voice coming from the living room, filled with anger. "I'm here to see Brian. Bring him out."

I walked into the living room, stopping in the shadows by the doorway.

Grandma stood like a defensive line in front of Philip. Shelooked so small and thin. yet so brave.

"What exactly do you want to tell him?" Grandma's voice was firm. "You can tell me first. I am his guardian. Only when I'm sure you won't hurt him will I let you see him."

Philip's face turned red. He clenched his fists, then released them. "I don't want to hurt an old lady. If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better call him out now!"

I clenched my fists. This was him, the man I once called father, always solving problems with anger and threats.

I walked to Grandma's side and gently pulled her hand. "Grandma, you can go back. He's here for me. He probably wants to talk about father-son things."

Grandma looked at me with concern. "Are you sure?"

I smiled at Grandma, hoping to give her some confidence,"Yes,don't worry,I'll handle it."

I turned to Philip, the man I once called father, and met his angry gaze.I wasn't afraid of him anymore.