"Julian..." Lydia called my name as if she was trying to explain, but her mouth opened and closed without a single word coming out.

Silence was her answer.

I let out a bitter laugh and stood up. "I'm nothing but a pathetic clown!"

"Julian, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you." Lydia sobbed uncontrollably.

Just then, Xander stepped forward. He pulled Lydia aside and looked at me with disdain. "Typical country dog. Always spouting curses and lacking any manners."

Mom chimed in, backing Xander up. "This is why we had to lie to you about the family going bankrupt. We thought it would make you grow up, but look at you, still a failure."

Dad snorted. "Seems like Xander was right. A lowborn, unrefined brat like you doesn't deserve to inherit the family's fortune."

I stood there, staring at them, as their words sliced through me like daggers. I covered my eyes in agony, unable to say a single word.

I had been in this family for ten years. Two years after I joined the family, we went bankrupt.

For eight years, I ate nothing but bread and canned soup to help raise money for their medical bills. I never once faltered in my duty to them.

Before I left for work today, I even bought Dad the most expensive truffle soup from the hospital cafeteria just because the doctor said he needed extra nutrition.

Dad had frowned and barely sipped it before telling me I shouldn't have wasted the money.

I had thought he felt for me, but now I realize they never appreciated the effort I put into earning the money for those nutritious meals for them.

Now, I watched as Mom and Dad stood with Xander on stage, sneering at me. The irony hit me hard.

I laughed so hard that tears streamed down my face. How had things turned out this way?

I shouldn't have relented and shouldn't have come back.

Ten years ago, the Falkner family suddenly found me in the fishing village. At the time, Lydia and I had just gotten married. My adoptive parents loved me. Though we weren't wealthy, I was happy.

The Falkner family told me I was the real heir. I didn't want to be some rich heir.

But my adoptive parents, with their traditional thinking, persuaded me to go back and be with my biological parents. Even Lydia said that education in the big city would be better for our future children.

So I relented.

But how ridiculous it all was. My parents, who pushed me to return, never truly cared for me.

They always favored the fake heir, Xander. He ran the company as well. Mom and Dad even kicked me out of it.

Later, when I went to work for another company, they feared I might expose their secrets. So, they pretended to be concerned about me and kept me at home.

I worked myself to the bone for the Falkner family, always walking on eggshells while trying to please them.

But just when I thought things were looking up, the family suddenly went bankrupt.

Xander was nowhere to be found. Mom and Dad cried, claiming I was their only hope.

Only now did I realize that my so-called biological parents had never considered me their child. Xander was the only one they could see.

Even my childhood sweetheart and wife, Lydia, had betrayed me.

Oh, right. Not just Lydia. Even the reason I returned to the Falkner family, Joel, had turned his back on me.

At that very moment, he was tightly hugging Xander's neck and calling him "Dad".

I reached out to pull him away, but he looked at me with pure disgust. "You poor, pathetic man! Don't touch me! You stink!"

A bitter taste surged in my throat. "I'm your father!"

"Go away! You're not my father!" Joel kicked me in the face. His little face contorted with hatred as he looked at me like I was his enemy.

"Stay away, you disgusting country bumpkin! If Mom hadn't forced me to call you 'Dad,' I wouldn't have bothered! Just being near you makes me want to puke."

No wonder he refused to let me hold him despite always saying I was his favorite. I'd thought it was just because he was too active for cuddles, but now…

I watched Joel's arrogant expression and realized more and more how much he looked like Xander. As I looked at their similar features, a horrifying thought crossed my mind.

Before I could speak, Xander forcefully pulled Lydia into his arms. "Julian, thanks for taking care of Mom and Dad for the past eight years. And my wife too. Oh, and also…"

He kissed Joel's cheek and smiled smugly. "I heard that you work as a punching bag to help my son recover. Tsk, tsk, you're truly amazing.

"Joel, say thank you to Uncle Julian."

I felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me.

Joel shot me a cold glare. "I'm not saying thank you to this stupid asshole! If it weren't for him stubbornly staying with us, we wouldn't need to live separately!"