As Shane drove toward the airport, he couldnât help but think of Liliane, who was currently in the hospital. He knew that once he left, Leah would likely end up in prison. However, he took solace in the fact that Liliane was still legally Billyâs daughter, and he was certain that Billy wouldnât ignore the situation.
Shane also felt fortunate that he had given Liliane a card. The money inside would be enough for her to live the rest of her life without worries. Moreover, Lilianeâs true parentage had not been exposed, so Billy wouldnât abandon her.
Feeling indebted to Liliane, his biological daughter, Shane regretted not having extracted Estherâs heart from the beginning to give to Liliane. He couldnât provide her with a healthy body or a happy marriage, and he felt he owed her the presence of a father.
While driving onto the highway toward the airport, Shaneâs phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he immediately turned it off.
âDad, why didnât you answer the call?â Ben asked.
Shane replied helplessly, âBen, in my current position, people often approach me for favors. If I help them, I compromise my principles. If I refuse, Iâm seen as the bad guy. Sometimes itâs easier to just shut off my phone when I donât want to take those calls.â
âThese people are annoying. Why do they ask you for favors? Wouldnât it be wrong if you helped them?â Ben huffed. âIâll add the number to the blacklist for you, Dad.â
âSilly boy, not everything in the world is black and white. Some thingsâ¦â Shane looked at the traffic ahead and spoke slowly. âCanât be easily explained.â
Shaneâs parents and siblings were all living abroad. He had planned to send his son abroad as well, thinking that it wouldnât affect him even if something happened to Shane back home. Little did he know that Ben had grown up naive, only seeing the facade Shane had put on and believing him to be an honest and good person.
Shane parked the car at the airport parking lot and hurried inside, holding Benâs hand. Finally, they met Jessica at the checkâin counter.
âMom.â
Jessica handed the passports to Ben and spoke gently. âBen, please take care of the procedures for us.â
âSure.â Ben took the passports and smoothly completed the task.
Jessica pulled Shane aside and asked in a calm voice, âShane, tell me honestly, is your mother really sick?â
Shane hadnât expected his wife to sense that something was wrong. He held her hand and led her to the side. âHoney, itâs complicated. Iâll explain everything once weâre on board.â
âShane Hoyer, I can turn a blind eye to your affair, but Iâm warning you. If you dare hurt my son because of what you did, I-â
Shane hugged Jessica and softly reassured her, âEverything will be alright. Trust me. Once weâre abroad, everything will be fine-â
Before Shane could finish his sentence, his gaze froze when he saw a familiar man standing next to Ben. His blood ran cold as his body stiffened, leaving him unable to utter a word.
Standing beside Ben Bradley nonchalantly waved at Shane, his eyes filled with a warning and a threat that made Shaneâs legs feel weak