Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

"Fine. I got it."

A pale-faced boy in hospital scrubs stood by the window, turning at the sound of the door clicking shut. Johnnie, still on the phone, spoke quietly before hanging up and leaning casually against the wall, a faint smile on his lips.

Eugene watched him icily.

"Feeling any better?" Johnnie didn't bother to approach, just studied him from across the room, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. "Come on, is learning about your real background really that much of a shock?"

"What do you want this time?" Eugene's voice was cold.

"Just came to have a chat. I've got news for you-Father's arriving in a few days. He wants to see you." Johnnie's smile widened, almost playful. "So, have you decided whose side you're on yet?"

Eugene said nothing.

Johnnie rolled his eyes and tapped his forehead, sighing. "What's so hard to figure out? You can either stay hidden away in the Montgomery family as an illegitimate son, or go with your biological father back to Italy and become the sole heir to the Fraser family."

"Is it really that hard a choice?"

He honestly couldn't understand.

The Fraser family-aristocracy in the truest, oldest sense of the word. In Western history, several generations had even produced Popes. And that's not even counting their present status. Eugene's father, Cossio, wasn't just from a powerful paternal line; his mother's family, too, was renowned throughout European history. Even though the family had faded in modern times, their influence remained untouchable on the global stage.

He was born into a life most could only dream of.

So what was there to hesitate over?

Eugene's dark eyes fixed on him. "Why so sudden?" Weren't they still just watching him, biding their time?

Johnnie just smiled.

He didn't bother to explain. "It's long overdue. You don't have much time left, Eugene. Make up your mind. When Father arrives, if you still haven't chosen, you might not get another chance."

For a moment, the room was silent.

Then Eugene asked, "And if I choose neither of you?"

Johnnie's smile didn't falter. He lowered his gaze, idly twisting the red band around his wrist, his voice almost offhand. "Then you'll just go on being the Montgomery family's dirty little secret. Your choice; we respect it."

But there was something he left unsaid.

The Fraser family would never allow their bloodline to drift outside the fold. Impure blood had to be cleansed.

Old families like theirs cared deeply about lineage and a mother's pedigree. If a union wasn't approved by both sides, even the right to produce an heir was denied let alone someone like Eugene, a child of mixed heritage. People like him were always at risk of being erased.

If not for Cossio's wife-Felicity Fontaine-Cossio never would have managed to defy tradition, insisting from the moment he learned of Eugene's existence that this boy would be his only successor.

But if Eugene chose to betray them—

Johnnie's lashes lowered, his eyes growing cold. Then he'd be the one to clean house for Father. An heir with tainted blood-and a tainted heart-didn't deserve a place at all.

Still, this was Father's only child.

He had to try once more.noveldrama

Johnnie looked up, his smile back in place.

"Oh, by the way, I ran into your sister on my way here. She's really popular these days. You probably haven't

heard, but recently she planet

man home to meet the family i England. Forrest-you know him, right? The scientific prodigy, world-renowned in his field. Apparently, it's the first time she's ever introduced anyone to the family. Looks like good news is on the way."

He paused, glancing at the boy by the window.

Eugene stood unmoving, one hand pressed to the window frame, the stark white

of his hospital clothes making his face look even paler. But his expression didn't change.

He's good at keeping it together, Johnnie thought.

He smiled, taking his time. "Eugene, you like her, don't you?"

The hand gripping the window frame tightened.

But Eugene said nothing.

Johnnie didn't seem to mind, continuing, "Have you ever

considered that as an illegitimate son, you'll never be a real option for her? Compared to the men pursuing her even if you picked one at random-you wouldn't stand a chance. Or do you think you can rely on your talent for mathematics?"

He laughed softly.

"You do have real talent-your future's bright, no doubt about it. But you're still so

young, and those men are already established, with worlds of their own."

He left the rest unsaid.

An illegitimate son could never measure up.

But what if he became the Fraser heir?

Eugene's fingers dug into the window frame, his face impassive, his voice even.

"She's my sister."

That would never change.

Johnnie laughed, tilting his chin,

eyes glinting with mockery. "That's because you have no power,

Eugene So all she can ever beinet

your sister. In this world, if you have no power, you're nothing-novalue, no right to desire, no right to reach for what you want."

He paused for a long moment, then added, "But we can give you that right. Are you going to keep drifting along, resigned to your fate, or are you going to take a seat at the table become the one moving the pieces, and take your shot?" Eugene's face grew darker. "Nice words. But in the end, am I the player, or just another piece on your board?"

Johnnie didn't flinch.

"At least you're at the table. Most people-ninety-nine percent of the world- never even get close, let alone to this level. Whether you're the player or the piece, only those at the table have a shot at fighting for anything at all."