Considering that both of his parents would return on Friday morning, it was not surprising to find Andreas packing up from Lucas’ apartment unit. He was going back to the Sanders family home after taking the time to put his belongings in his own apartment unit.
Andreas never intended to stay there for long. He would only stay for a few days to assess the situation and see how things were progressing.
A head butler named Paul Anthony welcomed Andreas’ arrival. He took over the suitcase Andreas was carrying before handing it to a female servant.
“Welcome, Young Master.”
Andreas responded with a brief nod to the polite greeting. He stepped inside and allowed Paul to continue following him.
“How are you, Paul? Still experiencing migraines often?”
Paul smiled faintly. “Not as often as before, Young Master.”
“Ah! That’s good news. It seems like my parents’ trip to Paris was indeed a good thing. Not just for me, but for you as well. It’s evident that your migraines have reduced because they’re not here,” Andreas chattered with a hint of laughter. He glanced mischievously. “So, I hope you has prepared himself for their return.”
Paul did not say anything, merely clearing his throat briefly. He continued to follow Andreas until they reached the bedroom, without uttering a single comment.
His hand reached out. Paul promptly opened the bedroom door and gestured for Andreas to enter.
“Perhaps you would like something? I will prepare it right away.”
Andreas shook his head. “No need. Just relax. If I need anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Very well, Young Master.”
Moments later, Paul excused himself. He left, leaving the 34-year-old man alone.
Andreas turned his body around. Being alone there made him scan the surroundings, observing the situation.
The spacious room had not been occupied for a long time. Nevertheless, nothing had changed. Everything was exactly the same as his last memory on the day he left.
The furniture remained untouched. Items did not shift places. Everything was clean and tidy, as if untouched by time and humanity.
Andreas enjoyed his leisure time alone. He simply sat in the room, snacking on treats delivered by a servant a while ago.
A knock was heard as Andreas was looking at a few things on his phone. He turned and spoke, “Come in.”
A servant entered politely. Their gaze was alert, with a tendency to look down.
“The Master and Mistress have arrived.”
Andreas took a deep breath. “Thank you. I’ll come down immediately.”
The servant left, and Andreas rose from his seat. Without wasting any time, he made his way to greet his parents’ arrival.
“Andreas.”
Andreas’ long strides brought him to a middle-aged woman named Amanda Billings, his birth mother. He embraced Amanda, not forgetting to give a brief kiss on her cheek.
“How are you, Ma?”
Amanda appeared slightly overwhelmed as Andreas hugged her. The height difference between them was quite significant. Nonetheless, she still placed a few gentle pats on her son’s back before the hug loosened.
“I’m doing well.”
The answer was not enough to relieve Andreas. He continued to check on Amanda’s condition until he was completely sure of its truth.
Andreas let out a long breath. It seemed that Amanda was indeed fine, despite her puffy eyes. In Andreas’ eyes, it was an ornament that had never disappeared over the years.
Puffy eyes. Hoarse voice. Cold face. They were all inseparable from Amanda.
So, Andreas ignored it. He did not expect much. At least Amanda was still healthy, and that was more than enough.
Andreas moved slightly and found a young and beautiful girl behind Amanda’s figure. He smiled widely and without hesitation, he rushed into Andreas’ embrace.
“You’re really outrageous. You didn’t give any news at all.”
Andreas smiled, patting the girl’s head. He did not hesitate to kiss her on the head.
“I’m sure you enjoyed your long vacation there, Vian.”
Vivian Sanders tilted her face. “No one knows how to have fun like you. I almost didn’t go anywhere.”
Andreas held back the urge to laugh and immediately pulled his younger sister away from there. He knew there was an important thing he had to deal with.
There was a middle-aged man who became Andreas’ next target. He had a large stature and a weathered face, in Andreas’ opinion.
He was Bryan Sanders. The father whom Andreas would meet next. Bryan looked sharp when Andreas approached.
“Good to see Papa healthy.”
Bryan nodded. “I’m also glad that you still have the thought to welcome us here.”
“Of course,” Andreas replied with a smile. He rubbed Vian’s upper arm, who was still clinging to him. “Although honestly, I was doubtful. Whether you would return to this house or go home to Mama Lydia’s.”
Andreas’ words successfully changed the expressions of everyone there. Even Vian lifted her face, her eyes widening in shock, unable to believe what she heard.
“Reas.”
Amanda looked at her son with a hopeful gaze. Briefly, she shook her head.
“Don’t start again.”
Slowly, Andreas released Vian from his embrace. “I never started anything, Ma. Everything had already started even before I came into this world.”
Bryan let out a harsh breath. He glanced at Amanda with a condescending look.
“Look, Amanda. This is Andreas’ behavior. I truly can’t understand why you couldn’t raise Andreas like Lydia raised Jonas.”
Amanda fell silent while Andreas shrugged casually. It was a common thing for Andreas.
“Jonas?” Andreas snorted. “People say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maybe that’s why Jonas always seems special in Papa’s eyes. Although, in reality, I hope Jonas doesn’t inherit his mother’s traits.”
“Andreas! Watch your words!”
Andreas did not falter just because of one shout. Instead, he grinned. “You don’t need to worry. It could happen. The nature of a child and a parent still holds different hopes. Because I’m not the same as Mama, who is willing to let what’s hers be taken by someone else.”
There’s no need to ask how Amanda’s face looked. It had turned red and gloomy. Paul took the initiative to dismiss the line of servants with a glance, a negligent act that he anticipated, considering Andreas’ tendency to create chaos when it came to his parents.
“One more thing, I am also different from you. I have the audacity to act behind his back because I’m not afraid to take risks,” Andreas continued with a mischievous smile. His gaze challenged Bryan. “Isn’t the reason you never wanted to divorce Mama because you were afraid Mama’s family would retaliate? Ah, especially now that Grandma Daphne holds power over the Morales family.”
It was a well-known secret that marriages among the elite were never just ordinary marriages. There were bonds, stakes, benefits, and risks that came with them.
That was the case with Amanda and Bryan. They got married with the mandate from their respective families. They had to support each other to elevate the family name.
Time continued to pass. Amanda, innocent and naive, realized that it was not a sin to fall in love with her own husband. However, Bryan did not feel the same way.
The marriage went on with unrequited feelings. Amanda knew there was another woman in her husband’s heart, just like everyone else did. Even the forbidden affair Bryan had built was shamelessly displayed since long ago.
Divorce could happen. And it was not just that. The tarnished agreement between the two families was a strong weapon that the Billings family could use to attack the Sanders family. It was not difficult, considering Amanda’s mother was the younger sister of Daphne Billings, the woman fortunate enough to be Harlan Alexander Morales’ one true love.
The Morales family, as the owners of the largest and oldest coal mining company in the country-Oceana, had their own network to carry out one or two retaliations. And there were many competitors who could take advantage of the situation for personal gain.
Unfortunately, none of that happened. Amanda belonged to the group of women who believed that a husband and family were like one’s soul and honor. She was the kind of woman who never considered divorce, even when her husband’s shirt smelled of another woman’s perfume. She was the kind of woman who believed that nightly prayers could bring guidance to her husband.
Andreas mocked her. According to him, it was not guidance that came to Bryan. Instead, it was a son who was born even before Andreas himself.
“I will come to the party tomorrow,” Andreas continued, changing the subject. He stopped teasing before Bryan unleashed a string of curses. “And I will introduce my future wife to Mama and Papa.”
Amanda sensed Andreas’ demeanor. “Are you planning to leave again?”
Andreas’ response was a light kiss on Amanda’s cheek. Then he left without saying anything else.
Andreas got into his car. The engine started, and he called Frans.
“Frans, it seems what you said that night was true.”
“Sorry, Sir?”
I don’t want to end up like Mama. Miserable for the rest of her life. I won’t.
Andreas answered, “We will work hard from now on. It’s time for me to reclaim everything that’s rightfully mine.”
*