Love, Not War (Book 2)

Chapter 76

Mrs Lee stood akimbo, glaring down at Felix. Even though she asked the question, she was dreading the answer. Who could her precious son possibly be talking about? Who could be so important to him? She had been keeping track of Felix's life and she knew the last person he dated was a girl called Jeon Jiwoo. Could he be talking about her? Was that gold digger back in his life?

If that was the case then she'd have to do something about it.

She was scared shitless when Seonghwa called her to tell her that Felix went missing yesterday and then came back with a bagful of questions about his past. If there was anything Mrs Lee was afraid of, it was Felix remembering his past.

She didn't want to see her son hurting again. He had already undergone enough pain. That was why she sent him to his cousins. The doctors had advised her to stay away from him for as long as she could because she could serve as a major trigger to his memories since everything was intertwined.

Right from Aera's death, to Chan's deception. She was involved in more ways than Felix knew for there were secrets she would kill to hide from her son.

Leaving Felix was akin to an exile. Not to forget that her husband was still in prison. Although she did her best and left no stone unturned to bring him out, Chan was just too influential. There was no way her husband would be released without Chan's approval. It made her feel so angry and frustrated. Being alone didn't make things better either. She had never been so powerless in her entire life.

Before Chan, Mr Yoongi, and their empire, she was like a tiny ant. They could decide to crush her at any time. She was just thankful that after Felix's 'demise', Chan left her alone and never intruded in her affairs ever again. That was how she was able to leave Tokyo and start a new life abroad.

She submerged herself in work all year round and did her possible best to minimize contact with her son. She could only take solace in the pictures of Felix that Jimin posted on social media.

Due to their downfall in Tokyo, the once lustrous Mrs Lee, full of pride and arrogance, turned into a humble quiet woman. Although she was still strong-willed and fierce when it came to business, her temperament had changed a lot and all she wanted was for her family to be whole again.

Her face didn't have that glow it used to and she wore less jewellery than she used to. The karma of her actions had washed away everything she used to be, leaving her like an ordinary woman. What happened with Chan and Felix was like a heavy slap to her face, shattering the illusion she had always had of life. That she was everything.

That the name 'Lee' was everything.

Now, all those things she held dear were gone. Their reputation, their status, their dignity, all smashed to bits. She was extremely ashamed to set foot in her homeland but for her son, she'd do anything. That was why she came back. To be his support when he learns the truth.

Felix was wholly stupefied. He stood up from the couch, not knowing what to say or do. So many emotions were stirring within him and he didn't even know which to express.

Was it joy that his mum had finally come to see him? Was it anger that she hadn't cared for him in years? Was it hatred for abandoning him? Or was it relief for finally getting to see her?

He didn't know and all these made him want to cry. His eyes went red with tears and his lips quivered as he fought them, not wanting them to fall.

Mrs Lee saw this and her tough look crumbled down, making her feel guilty. Instead of hugging her son after seeing him physically for the first time in years, she started questioning him.

Her facial features softened as she pulled him gently into a hug. "Felix honey..." she said. "Oh how I've missed you"

Felix's hands remained by his sides. They felt like leads. Too hard for him to move. He wanted to hug her back. He wanted to jump for joy and celebrate that his mother was back but for some reason, he couldn't. He felt as if the woman hugging him wasn't her. He didn't feel that familiar comfort when hugging his own mother.

The whole scenario felt like some awkward dream and Felix badly wanted it to stop.

When Mrs Lee realised that she wasn't going to get a response from her son, she pulled back and looked around awkwardly. "I-I guess I shouldn't have done that." She put some space between them. "You're angry aren't you?"

Felix didn't reply. He just stared at her, correlating her to the woman in his memories. They were so different. He felt like he didn't recognise her at all.

Mrs Lee coughed slightly. "I shouldn't have asked. It's obvious that you are. But Felix, I can explain everything.  I can explain why I left"

"Save it" Felix sneered, raising a hand. "I don't think there's any reason that can justify you leaving me like that"

Mrs Lee was startled. She stared at Felix like she couldn't recognise her son. Felix had never spoken to her like that. The Felix she remembered had always been so sticky. Always wanting to be beside her. When she travelled for work and came back, he would always want to spend time with her. Now he was all grown up and he had gotten used to the distance between them.

Her nose soured and tears welled in her eyes. "Felix..."

"Mrs Lee," Seonghwa called, as he moved and stood between her and Felix, not wanting them to start arguing. "Please, have a seat"

Hyunjin quickly handed her a glass of water. "Here. Have some water"

She took the glass with shaky hands and Hyunjin pinned Felix with a glare which made Felix scoff. He sat back and folded his arms, feeling wronged.

His mum was the one that left. She was the one who abandoned him like she had given him up for adoption. Did they expect him to be nice to her? To embrace her and start crying? He just showed a little anger and now he's being frowned at. Can't he express how he's feeling for once?

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