Chapter 2 - Chapter 1: Strategic Patience?

Chapter 1: Strategic Patience 👍

Opening his eyes at six in the morning—a habit ingrained in him over the years—Ray Evans awkwardly hauled himself out of bed and stepped into a quick shower. While getting ready, he glanced at the mirror in the bathroom: a chubby young man with a fresh bruise under his right eye stared back. He knew his mother definitely wouldn't be thrilled with that sight.

Finishing his morning routine, he headed to the kitchen. He and his mother had their rules, and according to those rules, today was his turn to make breakfast. She had raised him on her own, so despite his own collection of health issues, Ray had been forced to grow up fast.

Ray still clearly remembered the effort it took to convince his mother to let him get a job. Coming out of her room, Amy stretched languidly and looked at her son with pride.

It hadn't been easy raising him alone, but watching her son, despite his build and his limp, move deftly around the kitchen, filled her—a mother who had been far too young—with a surge of pride. Alongside that, a flash of hatred for the man she had once loved ignited within her, for he had robbed their child of the chance for a normal life.

Forcing the thoughts away, she said, "Good morning, sweetie."

"Morning, Mom. Breakfast is almost ready, so you'd better hurry," Ray replied.

"Don't you worry, honey, you know I'm always on time," Amy smiled and breezed off to take her shower.

During breakfast, noticing the bruise on her son's face, she frowned and said, "You know we could always transfer."

"It took a lot of effort to get into this school. Those rich kids are nothing without their families' money and influence. Time will tell who's who, and we both know that, given how I look, switching schools wouldn't change a thing," Ray said calmly.

"You really need to lose some weight, otherwise I might never get to see my grandchildren," Amy remarked jokingly.

"I'm too young to be a father, and you're not old enough to be a grandmother," Ray retorted with a smirk.

"Mind if I leave the dishes for you? I need to run by old Joe's shop," the boy asked.

"Of course," Amy nodded, giving him a tender smile.