System Unbound: The Scum Mom's Bitter Regret

Grandpa read a financial magazine, and Grandma brewed tea. A neatly cut fruit platter sat on the coffee table. Every piece was Sean’s favorite strawberries.

Sean handed the baby to the nanny and sat beside Grandma, looping his arm through hers.

“Mom, Talon’s back.”

Grandma slammed her teacup onto the table when she saw my father. Her face turned cold.

“You caused such a scene three years ago. Now that you are back, behave yourself. Sean is still being called 'the other man' online because of you. You disgraced the Jones family.”

Grandpa did not look up. He turned a page of his magazine.

“If you were half as sensible as Sean, you would not have ended up like this.”

I stood beside my father with my fists clenched. I wanted to say he had been locked inside that ancient city for three years, and his legs were broken. Why was no one comforting him?

However, I did not dare. The last time I spoke up for him, Grandma slapped me across the face and said I had no manners, and that my father had corrupted me.

My father slowly bent his knees again.

“I acknowledged my mistake, master.”

The living room fell silent.

Grandma scoffed and glanced at him sideways. “I think he is pretending to be pitiful for sympathy.”

My mother patted his shoulder. “Mom, Dad, Talon stayed there for three years. He has not recovered yet. He will get better slowly.”

She turned to me. “Jayden, take your father upstairs to rest.”

“Yes.” I held his cold hand and led him upstairs.

After the door closed, the room was left with only the two of us.

His submissive, fearful expression faded at once. Clarity returned to his eyes.

He crouched down and held my face in his hands.

“Jayden, give me your smartwatch.”

I froze, then quickly took it off and handed it to him.

He dialed a number. The call connected.

“Dylan.”

I knew that name. He was my father’s private lawyer, Dylan Parker.

“Set up a trust fund in Jayden’s name. Transfer all my properties, shares, and cash into it. Also prepare her overseas relocation documents.”

After the call ended, my father pulled me into his arms. His embrace felt the same as before, warm and steady.

…

That night was the most peaceful sleep I had in three years.

The next morning, my father was gone again.

“Dad!”

My voice shook as I ran out barefoot.

A sharp scream came from the master bedroom.

Then the baby’s piercing cries filled the hallway.

Sean stumbled out, clutching the baby in panic. Blood streamed down the child’s arm.

“Talon, please, if you want to kill someone, kill me. Do not hurt the baby. He is innocent.”

My heart sank.

I ran over, and my mother rushed out from the study at the same time. Grandpa and Grandma hurried up the stairs after hearing the noise.

My father stood inside the room with a pale face. A fruit knife lay on the floor.

He looked at them. His voice sounded weak as he tried to explain.

“I only called him to have his meal. I did not…”

Slap.

Grandma struck him across the face. His head snapped to the side, and half his face swelled at once.

“You lost your mind. That is your brother’s child. How could you do this? How did I end up with a son like you?”

Grandpa’s voice sounded heavy. “You tried to divorce your wife three years ago, and now on your first day back you try to kill someone. Do you have any humanity left?”

My mother checked the baby first. When she turned back, she looked at my father with disappointment.

“I thought three years in the ancient city would have fixed you. I did not expect you to still be this cruel. It looks like you need to go back there for more rehabilitation.”

At the words ancient city, panic finally appeared in my father’s eyes.

He dropped to his knees and grabbed my mother’s pant leg. His eyes were bloodshot.

“Miley, believe me. I only called him to have his meal. I did not do anything…”

“If it was not you, then was it Sean himself?” Grandma yelled. “Did he stab his own child? Is he insane?”