Forced to Watch My Son Call Her 'Mom' - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Victor looked stunned, but I was already sliding into the car—exhausted, indifferent to whatever came next.
Back home, I first checked on my parents and took over part of the family business. Then, I marched straight to the civil affairs bureau and finalized the forced divorce from Victor.
Soon after, the company's legal team compiled all the evidence against Erin. But instead of suing her outright, I chose to toy with her—like a cat playing with a cornered mouse. I systematically crushed every one of her business ventures, watching as failure after failure chipped away at her.
In the end, Erin went bankrupt.
"Liane, Evolv Group is just your crutch—your shortcut. In a fair fight, you'd never beat me!"
Those were her last defiant words when she signed that reckless bet to save her precious store.
But she'd forgotten: everything she had was stolen. What right did she have to judge me? At least my claim was legitimate.
Before long, under Evolv Group's relentless pressure, Erin became a stray—homeless, desperate. She sold off anything of value to pay her debts, but it was a drop in the ocean.
Victor liquidated everything he owned to bail her out, only to lose his job for neglecting his work. Predictably, they exploded into a vicious fight. Erin abandoned him, left to drown in debt alone.
Watching her downfall? Pure satisfaction.
And when I finally held the divorce papers, it felt like shedding old skin. That document severed Victor from my life—and the past along with it.
From then on, I buried myself in work, rebuilding my future.
Just when I thought I'd moved on, Victor reappeared.
I was hosting clients at a hotel when I spotted a commotion near the private dining room. One glance, and there he was—Victor, in a staff uniform, arguing with someone.
"Dad, I want a car! If Erin won't buy it for me, then you two are done! If she loves you, why's she making you work here? I'm gonna find her and settle this!"
"Frank—!"
Victor couldn't stop him. The kid stormed off, vanishing into the crowd.
Our eyes met briefly—just long enough for him to duck his head in shame.
"Ms. Harari, everything alright?"
I shook it off and stepped into the room.
The event wrapped up smoothly. By the time I left, Victor was gone—but not before I overheard two waiters gossiping:
"You hear about that Victor guy? His son got stabbed. He tried to save him and fell from the building. Both in critical condition now."
"Rumor is the kid's own mother stabbed him. Victor had a secret wife for twenty years—disgusting. And that son of his? Always causing trouble. Got what was coming to him."
"Eh, not our problem. Back to work."
Their words barely registered. I kept walking, meeting my brother outside.
"Liane, heard the news? Karma's finally catching up. Erin's headed to prison."
I nodded. Some people just reap what they sow.
Then my phone rang—a number that once would've made my heart skip. Now? Just noise.
"What do you want?"
Victor's voice was ragged. "Honey, Frank's dying—please, help me save him! Just cover the surgery, and I'll do anything!"
Silence.
"Please! After all these years, how can you turn your back on him?"
I let the pause linger before answering, cold and final: "We're strangers now. Frank was never my son."
I hung up. Blocked the number.
This time, it was truly over.
(The End)