Chapter 164: How Did He End Up With a Son Like This?
"Now that you know, you need to understand why I brought you here. I’m your father, and I’m supposed to take good care of you."
"It was just me and Mom, and we were doing just fine."
"Do you have any idea what happened when you secretly ran away? For your sake, your mother almost gave up her job—her acting career that she loves."
Ian Monroe: ...
He slowly lowered his head, feeling guilty for causing his mother so much trouble.
’I have to be a better boy from now on. I’ll never cause Mom trouble again.’
Evan Fairchild walked over and sat down beside Ian Monroe.
He really was his son. Evan had been thinking he’d have to find the right time to tell the boy the truth himself. If he waited for Melody to do it, who knew how long that would take? A son of Evan Fairchild couldn’t possibly be that fragile. Besides, he was the boy’s father. How could telling him the truth possibly hurt him? Isn’t it a good thing for a child to have a father’s love?
"Your mother’s job keeps her very busy, so she can’t take proper care of you. I’ll take care of you from now on. I hope you can stop being so hostile and distant with me."
"Are you married to another woman?" Ian Monroe asked.
"No!"
"Will you marry my mom? Will you two get married?"
"I will!" Evan Fairchild replied decisively.
"My mom said she won’t marry you."
Evan Fairchild felt a pang in his chest. "You’re just a kid. Don’t say things like that."
"I’m not. Mom told me herself. She said she wouldn’t marry my dad. And you’re my dad, Mr. Fairchild."
Evan Fairchild: ...
He looked down at his son and asked, "Do you want me to marry your mom?"
"No," Ian Monroe said, shaking his head.
"Why?" Evan Fairchild felt a headache coming on.
’Why isn’t this kid like other children?!’
’What kid doesn’t want their mom and dad to love each other and be together forever?!’
He had been hoping to win his son over, who could then be his little wingman and make things twice as easy.
"Because Mom doesn’t want to," Ian Monroe replied matter-of-factly.
"But don’t you think your mom needs someone to take care of her? Someone like me."
"I’ll take good care of Mom when I grow up."
"Ian Monroe, you’re only three years old! It’ll be over a decade before you’re grown up!"
"I’ll grow up eventually."
Evan Fairchild was about to lose it!
’An inscrutable woman and a troublesome son. Each one gave him a bigger headache than the last!’
"Even though I’m living here now, I won’t call you Dad. Dads are useless!"
"How are dads useless?"
"Of course they’re useless. It’s not like you gave birth to me."
"So if you can’t give birth, you’re useless? Is that it?"
"Yes!"
Evan Fairchild was at a loss for words.
’And I was hoping this kid would be my wingman? I should be grateful he’s not actively sabotaging me! Where on earth did I get that kind of confidence?!’
’How did I end up with a son like this?!’
’I should just send him off to a boarding school in Britain and never let him come back!’
...
Melody Monroe packed some of Ian’s things, along with a few of her own, and returned to the Fairchild Residence.
Ian Monroe was sitting by the window. The moment he saw his mother return, he ran out to greet her. But when he saw the suitcase in her hand, the light in his big, beautiful eyes dimmed.
Evan Fairchild came downstairs as well and looked at Melody Monroe.
Tommy brought the bags inside. "Madam, I’ll take that!"
"Tommy, please don’t call me that! Mr. Fair... Mr. Fairchild and I... we don’t have that kind of relationship," Melody Monroe hurriedly clarified, glancing at Evan Fairchild with a flustered look on her face.