He couldn't wait to challenge me.
He apologized with words, but his arm stayed locked with Vivian's.
His smug, taunting eyes were just like his father's.

Years ago, his father had done the same—parading Joan on his arm in front of me and my father.
"Your act? Your father already performed it. I don't need an encore."
"Today is about Vivian and me. Stay out of it!"
I glanced at Vivian, signaling her inside.
She pulled free from Leo and hurried after me.
"Owen, what did you mean? You knew Leo's father?"

Vivian tried to grab my hand. I moved away.
She followed, confused.
"Yeah, I knew him."
I replied flatly.

Thinking how the scum who hurt my father got what they deserved long ago—dead and buried.
I straightened up, giving Vivian a loaded look.
I wondered if Vivian and Leo's fate would be even worse.
The first divorce petition failed.
Even with strong evidence, the judge didn't grant it.
I was a lawyer myself. I'd expected this.
Leaving the courthouse, Vivian cornered me against the stairwell wall.
"Owen, Leo agreed! He doesn't feel wronged, so why can't you?"
"Remember, we've been married seven years! You were infertile! Bringing Leo in was my last resort!"
Vivian's eyes filled with pain.
In court, my stance was firm.
Vivian felt it, knew I wasn't bluffing or playing games.
I truly wanted out.
She panicked.
She raged.
"Last resort?"
Pinned against the wall, meeting her gaze, the words felt absurd.
There were plenty of ways to have a child.
She chose an affair with Leo. Hid him away!
"He looks a little like you! I picked him because of you!"
"Owen, I love you! But I admit, compared to Leo, you're... reserved. Leo is different! He's playful, fun, he makes me laugh! He fills the gaps you leave! Yes, I cheated! But in my heart, it's just... being with a more perfect version of you..."
Vivian kept explaining.
Every word pushed me further away.
"Vivian, I told you—before you, I lived through darkness. Playful innocence died in me long time ago."
I shoved Vivian aside.
Each step away felt like walking on knives.
I used to be playful.
Before Leo and his father.
I was the cherished child, my parents' precious baby.
After Leo and his father arrived, my father and I plunged into hell.
Leo's father acted kind but secretly tortured me.
He even set up my kidnapping to force my parents to divorce.
If not for pure luck, I'd be dead.
Surviving betrayal and death, then expecting me to be playful innocence? Absurd.
Leaving the courthouse, I headed to my car.
Leo blocked my door.
"Brother, you don't really think I just happened to meet Vivian, do you?"
"Your father destroyed my parents! I never forgot!"
"I'll use my father's playbook. Make you feel what your father felt."
Seeing Vivian wasn't out yet, Leo leaned in close, voice dripping poison.
"Vivian's trash to me now. If you wanted to use her against me, you failed."
"Also, your 'parents' killed themselves. What's that to do with me or my father?"