Chapter 157 - Keiren

Keifer's POV

A new house. It's not the same as our old one, but it's just as big—maybe even bigger.

"Mom... Who lives here?" Keigan asked.

"No one. This used to be my parents' house, but they've passed away," Mom answered.

She parked the car in the garage, which stretched across the front of the house. As soon as we stepped out, two women and a man greeted us.

"Good morning, Ma'am Serina!" they said in unison.

"Good morning. Are the rooms ready?" Mom asked.

One of the women spoke with Mom while the two men took our bags from the car.

"Brother..." Keigan tugged at my sleeve. "...Do you think this house is haunted and there are ghosts?"

I shook my head. "Ghosts aren't real."

Mom and the woman finished talking, and she gestured for us to go inside. As we entered, I finally realized just how big the house really was.

Mom led us to our rooms. Mine wasn't as big as my old one, but for some reason, I liked it better.

I noticed Keigan standing at my door.

"Do you want to sleep here?" I asked.

He nodded without hesitation and quickly climbed onto my bed. But even though I was exhausted, I couldn't sleep. Everything was so new.

One question kept running through my mind. What now?

"Your house is burning!" Percy announced gleefully.

"Psh! Childish," Yuri muttered.

I glanced at them, but something felt missing. Aries isn't here.

"He's not with us," Yuri said, noticing my expression.

"Why? Where did he go?"

"His whole family went back to the province. Something happened to his cousin—what was his name again? Jay-R? Jayson? Tsk! Something with a J!" Percy explained.

He has a cousin? Aries never mentioned that before. I let it go and invited them inside.

The house was busy, filled with maids and butlers cleaning up. Mom had brought back the old helpers to assist around the house.

"Where are we going?" Percy asked.

"I want to show you something," I said, leading the way.

We went straight to the basement and stopped in front of a door. I opened it, revealing my discovery.

An instant hangout!

The room was fully furnished—a billiard table, a bar in the corner, a sofa set, and a flat-screen TV. I was already imagining adding a big speaker and a gaming console.

Percy clapped excitedly. "Bro! Is it my birthday?! Why are you giving me a present?!"

"Tss... This is for all of us, not just you," I said, shaking my head.

"What a missed opportunity! You should have just gifted it to me," he joked as he rushed inside.

Yuri and I just stood at the doorway, watching him.

"How's your mom?" Yuri asked.

"She's fine. Just busy with everything involving the house."

"And Keigan?"

I hesitated. How is Keigan? He wasn't okay. Something was off.

"I'm not sure," I admitted.

"What about your dad? What are you planning to do?" Percy asked.

"Mom and I haven't talked about that yet."

I knocked on Mom's bedroom door. No response. I opened it and stepped inside. She wasn't in bed. I walked toward her walk-in closet, thinking she might be there. But before I could reach it, I heard someone throwing up in the bathroom.

"Mom!" I shouted, running toward the restroom. "Mom! Is something wrong?"

I kept knocking on the door, but she didn't answer. A growing fear crept over me—what if something was wrong?

I must have been standing there for a few minutes when the door suddenly opened on its own. Mom stood in front of me with a smile.

"I'm fine," she assured me.

"Since when is vomiting considered fine? Let's go to the hospital."

She shook her head and smiled. "I already did."

"You did? What did they say?" I asked, my worry deepening.

Even though we were no longer living with that man, I still worried about Mom. She often chose to stay silent rather than express how she truly felt.

"They said it's normal," she replied. "Especially when you're two weeks pregnant."

Pregnant?

I was speechless. Completely frozen. It wasn't that I wasn't happy—I was just... shocked.

Mom suddenly burst into laughter. "You look like a child! Don't you want a little brother?"

I shook my head. "It's not that I don't want one... I just... I don't know what to say." I forced a smile.

She pulled me into a tight hug. "Please... help me take care of your new brother."

I hugged her back. "I will."

I glanced at her stomach, realizing that in just a few months, she would give birth.

"When will the baby be born?" Keigan asked excitedly.

"In two months," Mom answered, beaming. "...Are you excited to meet Keiren?"

I frowned. "Keiren?"

"That's what I'm naming your baby brother—Mike Keiren Watson."

It was a nice name, but something about it felt odd. It was as if Mom had an obsession with the initials M and K.

My name is Mark Keifer, Keigan's full name is Mir Keigan, and now our baby brother will be Mike Keiren. What's with the M and K?

Just then, one of the maids walked up to Mom and whispered something in her ear. Mom nodded, forcing a smile.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, sensing a shift in her mood.

She stood up and motioned for us to follow. A strange feeling settled in my gut—something told me I wasn't going to like whatever was coming.

We walked straight to the house lobby. The front door opened, and to my shock, the person I hated the most stepped inside.

"What is he doing here?!" I demanded angrily.

"Keifer… he's still your father," Mom said gently.

I shot him a furious glare. Why is he here?! He had no right to show up after everything he had done.

"What do you want from us?!" I snapped.

"I just want to rebuild our family," he said, his voice calm. "We're about to have a new member, so—"

"No!" I shouted. "You're not welcome here! Get out!"

"Keifer!" Mom scolded. "...Don't speak to your father like that!"

"Mom! Please... don't let him hurt us again."

"I won't, Keifer," my father cut in. "...I apologize for everything I've done in the past."

Apologize?

That's it? After all the pain he caused Mom? After everything he did to Keigan? He thinks an apology is enough?!

"I will never accept your apology—"

"Keifer!" Mom's voice was sharp with anger. "I didn't raise you to behave this way!"

I glanced at her hand, noticing how she clutched her stomach. I couldn't let her get too upset—it wasn't good for her or Keiren. What if something happened to them?

I swallowed my pride. "...S-sorry, Mom."

"Apologize to your father," she ordered.

No!

I looked at Mom pleadingly. Please don't make me do this.

"Keifer… apologize to your father," she repeated.

My fists clenched in frustration. This was humiliating.

"I... I'm sorry... Dad."

He had won. He smiled triumphantly and opened his arms for a hug. When I didn't move, he stepped forward and embraced me.

But I didn't hug him back. Never.

This would be the last time I ever apologized to him. I would never let myself be put down like this again.

Mark my words.