CHAPTER II

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TWO

PRESENT DAY—

                          Whether it was the me at ten years old, or the me at twenty-three years old, I was still afraid of my father all the same.

I quietly stood to the side of his office, watching as my mother and father conversed. My father was sitting at his desk, while my mother sat opposite of him. His desk had a built in terminal, and a big, holographic screen was projected above it. My father tapped the screen, and the projection of a document appeared.

"Explain to me, what is this?" he demanded, turning the projection around so my mother could see it.

I couldn't help my curiosity, and strained my eyes to examine the document. I couldn't see much because I was further away, but I could make out my name— "Orion Saer". It was a document on me.

I was wondering why father decided to call me today. Turns out, it was because he wants to discuss me.

My mother's eyes scanned the document. Although age had wrinkled some of her features, she looked much younger than my father did, even though he wasn't much older than her.

"This is..." my mother trailed off, her eyes widening by a fraction as she stared at the document.

My father clenched his fists tightly, and I could see the anger boiling underneath his skin. "You hid this from me? For twenty-three years?"

Panic filled my mother's expression, and she hurried to explain, "I... it was, a mistake. A mistake at best. I really didn't mean to."

"Bullshit!" My father slammed the table with both of his hands, rising from his seat. The items on the desk shook with the force of his anger, and a few pens toppled off the desk. I couldn't help the fear that filled me, as I stood, nervously watching the scene. Just what was so shocking that he was this angry?

"I raised Orion as my heir! I spent so much time and resources on him, and you're telling me he isn't even my son?!" my father shouts.

Oh.

Wait, did he just say...

Tears stream down my mother's face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she sobs, clutching her face as she attempts to hide the tears.

My father— no, Master Saer, angrily continues, "you scheming, lying snake. I knew it, I never liked that boy, I knew something was wrong."

I know I should be sad, but I can't find it in me to feel anything. Instead, a feeling of relief washes over me. I'm almost glad that I was never related to a man like him.

My mother doesn't respond, her body trembling as she sobs even more.

"Is Celeste even my daughter?" Master Saer suddenly asks.

My mother hurriedly nodded. "Celeste... she is your daughter, I promise. Just, Orion... I..."

Master Saer looks like he's about to blow a fuse. "Who is his father?" he asks.

My mother hesitates. It looks like she's trying to decide between telling, or not telling.

"Who is his father?" Master Saer repeats, louder this time.

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