My mom found me a dad who is three years younger at the senior college. What I mean is, he is three years younger than me.
My mom found me a dad who is three years younger at the senior college. What I mean is, he is three years younger than me.
"Come on, Aiden, sit down. This is my daughter, Sarah," my mom said cheerfully, gesturing for us to sit.
It was her 45th birthday, and she was dressed for the occasion-a red dress with matching crimson lipstick and an overly pale foundation that gave her the appearance of wearing a mask.
They said love would make people glow, and my mom was no exception.
I sat across from them with a blank expression, arms crossed, and sized up Aiden Davis, who was three years younger than me.
According to my mom, they had met at a community college for seniors, where Aiden was volunteering. A few friendly exchanges led to exchanging contacts, and the rest was history.
Aiden was slim and simply dressed in a plain white shirt, exuding an air of quiet intellect. With his sharp features and bright eyes, he looked like someone who might belong in a historical drama, perhaps as a young professor or an aspiring writer.
However, he was actually a con artist.
"Still in college, aren't you? Must be nice to live off someone else. Landing my mom couldn't have been easy, huh?"
My tone was sharp, dripping with undisguised sarcasm.
Men like him were so clever-they knew all it took was a silver tongue to manipulate gullible women like my mom into opening their wallets.
Aiden's eyes widened in surprise at my bluntness, glancing awkwardly at my mom for support.
The smile on her face froze for a second.
But I wasn't about to let them off the hook. "So, I heard on the way here that you've been spending a lot of time with a younger guy. Didn't think it was true, but it looks like you've proven me wrong."
I turned to Aiden. "What's your major? What year are you in?" I tilted my chin, studying him with open disdain, not caring about the stares from other tables.
It didn't matter. If anyone should feel embarrassed, it wasn't me.
My mom's smile finally disappeared. She straightened her dress, glanced at Aiden, and spoke up. "He's a sophomore, majoring in landscape architecture."
I casually picked up my glass and downed the wine in one gulp.
Between the two of them, I couldn't decide who disgusted me more.
About halfway through the meal, Aiden got up and excused himself to use the restroom.
I put down my fork and quickly followed him, cornering him near the sink.
Before Aiden, my mom had dated three other men. One ran off with her savings. Another freeloaded at our house for over six months and even made inappropriate advances toward me.
After my mom found out about the latter, she kicked him out so fast he didn't even have time to grab his toothbrush.
For three years, she stayed single, and I thought she'd given up. But no-when she finally started dating again, she didn't just aim higher; she aimed younger.
"So, how does it feel to date a middle-aged woman?"
I leaned casually against the door, blocking his exit, my eyes scanning him with interest.
Aiden finished washing his hands and responded calmly, "If we don't go back soon, Paulina might get worried."
But I wasn't planning to leave just yet.
A sly smile spread across my face as I leaned against the doorframe. Slowly, I tugged my collar down to reveal my shoulder, letting my fingers trace circles on his chest. "Let's be honest, you're only with my mom for the money. Why not switch to me? I'll pay you more. What do you think?"
Here I was, on my mother's birthday, openly seducing her boyfriend. And I didn't feel even a hint of shame.
Under the bright restroom lights, Aiden's cheeks turned visibly red.
"Seriously, think about it," I teased. "How much does she give you? Two thousand a month? Three? Whatever it is, I'll double it. Deal?"
Aiden grabbed my hand, his face flushed, his voice trembling with tension. "Miss Hayes, please move aside. I need to leave."
"And if I don't?"
I leaned in closer, so close I could hear his heartbeat. "What do you think will happen if my mom comes looking for us and finds me like this-leaning into you? What will she think? Have you thought about how you'll explain yourself to your sugar mommy? Don't worry, though. Even if she dumps you, I can take you in. Sound good?"
For three years, Cathryn and her husband Liam lived in a sexless marriage. She believed Liam buried himself in work for their future. But on the day her mother died, she learned the truth: he had been cheating with her stepsister since their wedding night. She dropped every hope and filed for divorce. Sneers followed-she'd crawl back, they said. Instead, they saw Liam on his knees in the rain. When a reporter asked about a reunion, she shrugged. "He has no self-respect, just clings to people who don't love him." A powerful tycoon wrapped an arm around her. "Anyone coveting my wife answers to me."
Alexander's coldness was laid bare before Florrie; he even asked her to buy morning-after pills for another woman. Enduring the pain became her routine, all because Alexander was a stand-in for Alec, her lost love. But one day, she tricked him into signing the divorce papers and said, "I never loved you." Devastation clung to him, his gaze clouded by despair. "You can't leave. I won't sign." Then Alec returned as a conglomerate heir. She searched his face for love and found none-until she turned away. He cracked, tears falling. "I'm sorry," he begged. "I love you."
Abandoned as a child and orphaned by murder, Kathryn swore she'd reclaim every shred of her stolen birthright. When she returned, society called her an unpolished love-child, scoffing that Evan had lost his mind to marry her. Only Evan knew the truth: the quiet woman he cradled like porcelain hid secrets enough to set the city trembling. She doubled as a legendary healer, an elusive hacker, and the royal court's favorite perfumer. At meetings, the directors groaned at the lovey-dovey couple, "Does she really have to be here?" Evan shrugged. "Happy wife, happy life." Soon her masks fell, and those who sneered bowed in awe.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...
One year into marriage, Yvonne realized she was nothing more than a substitute for someone else's memory. When his true love reappeared, Julian tossed a divorce contract her way. "She's back. We're finished," he said flatly. The secret of her pregnancy stayed hidden. Yvonne fought the urge to cry, signed her freedom, and disappeared. Five years on, cameras flashed as Yvonne, radiant in red, strode across a film festival stage with her bright-eyed son. Julian's hands clenched as he watched. "Sir, the boy's four and a half," whispered his shaken assistant. Then, he rushed to the film set only to witness an A-list actor gently wrapping his arm around Yvonne's waist. "I've booked your favorite restaurant for tonight's celebration." The little boy blinked his innocent eyes at Julian, asking, "Who are you? One of my mom's crazy admirers?" He cornered her in the dressing room, his voice hoarse as he said, "Let's remarry." Her lips curled slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "The curtain's down; it's time to end this scene." But this time, he wasn't letting go.
© 2018-now CHANGDU (HK) TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
6/F MANULIFE PLACE 348 KWUN TONG ROAD KL
TOP