The loud bang startled the amorous couple in bed. The man hastily covered himself with a blanket; the woman, pale with fright, pulled another over herself. Easton froze, seeing Severin in tattered clothes. "Who are you? Some street beggar?"
"You said you'd wait ten years," Severin hissed, his fists clenched so tightly his joints cracked. Anger flushed his face, making his temples throb; he looked ferocious.
"Severin?!" Lucy exclaimed, disbelief evident. "You're back? How?!"
Severin's heart convulsed. A faint, self-mocking grin touched his lips. "You're with him now? Of all people, him?" Easton, regaining his composure, began pulling on his clothes. "Got a problem with that? I have money and power. I'm clearly better than some hobo."
Severin ignored him, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Lucy. "Isn't it funny? I returned, having achieved my goal, to give you my world, to make you happy. And here you are, with the man who assaulted you years ago!" He paused. "I wouldn't blame you for not waiting, but him?"
Lucy, pulling on a nightgown, stood proudly. "You're the funny one, Severin. Give you my world? What do you have? You can't match Easton. He buys me thousands of dollars' worth of bags on a whim. Can you?"
She sat on the bed, crossing her legs, lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply. "With him, riches and glory. With you, a lifetime of suffering. The choice is obvious, even to an idiot."
"Even idiots wouldn't choose you!" Easton sneered, approaching Severin. "She and I were together six months after your imprisonment. Your college girlfriend chose me! Tsk tsk."
Severin backhanded Easton, knocking out two teeth and cutting his lip.
"Are you crazy, Severin? Do you want to go back to prison?"
Lucy rushed to Easton's side. "Are you alright, Easton?"
Severin felt overwhelming disgust. She was a gold digger. He gritted his teeth, pointing to the door. "Get out! Both of you!"
Lucy scoffed. "Fat chance. You're leaving. This house belongs to Easton. Think you can avoid paying compensation for his injuries? If you want the house, I could sell it to you—though I doubt you can afford it, even at half price. I'm moving into Easton's villa after we marry!" She added disdainfully, "Judging by your appearance, I doubt you can afford it, even at half price."
Severin clenched his fists. "No thanks. I couldn't bear to live in such a disgusting place."
Lucy, enraged, stepped forward, fist raised. But Severin's look stopped her. She knew his impulsiveness; she didn't want to risk her life.
"Where are my parents?" Severin asked coldly.
"Your parents? Living in that dilapidated shack on the outskirts! Leaky roof, I hear!" Lucy mocked. "Easton and I are having our wedding banquet at the Richemont Hotel. No gifts needed, but feel free to attend with your parents. It'll be a nice meal for all of you. Otherwise, you’d probably only afford meat twice a month!" Severin looked at her one last time. "You'll regret this," he said, leaving without looking back.
He arrived at his parents' dilapidated home. He'd imagined Lucy waiting, his parents comfortable; he'd bought a house, and Lucy's family would help his parents. But Lucy's transformation in just six monthshow had his parents fared?
"Mom, DadI'm sorry," he murmured, fists clenched, looking at the old wooden door.
He saw a woman parking her electric bicycle. A delivery person. She left a package and sped off.
The door creaked open. An elderly woman emerged, picking up an envelope.
Severin's eyes reddened, his nose tingling. "Mom"
His mother rushed to him, her wrinkled face a testament to years of hardship. "Severin? Is it really you?"
Tears welled in Severin's eyes; his mother looked twenty years older. He knelt, sobbing. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you suffered."
"It’s alright, my son," his mother, Judith Feuillet, hugged him. "You can start over now."
She helped him up. Suddenly, a scarred man and his thugs burst through the gate. "Where's the money, old hag? Seven hundred, or we get rough!"
Severin’s fists clenched. A cold light flickered in his eyes. His mother's suffering was over.