Chapter 181

Philip's POV

I stared at the investment report on my desk, unable to absorb a single word.Yesterday, I had slapped Brian-my own son. The memory had haunted me all night, robbing me of sleep. Never in my life had I imagined I would raise a hand against my child, yet here I was, living with that reality.

The internal phone on my desk rang, interrupting my troubled thoughts.

"Mr. Baker, there's a lady in the lobby who wants to see you," came the receptionist's voice.

I frowned, irritation flaring. "Didn't I say no visitors without appointments?

1

"She says she's your former mother-in-law, Brian's grandmother."

Ruth Miller? My heart sank. She must be here about yesterday's incident.

"Send her up," I said, straightening my tie and taking a deep breath to compose myself.

A few minutes laer, a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in."

Ruth pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her face was grim, lips pressed into a thin line. Those eyes-so similar to Annie's-fixed on me with unmistakable fury. "Philip Baker. I should have come to see you last night" she said without preamble,her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"What can I help you with?" I feigned ignorance, though my fingers betrayed me, tapping nervously against the desktop.

Ruth's eyes narrowed. "Why did you hit Brian? We had an agreement when you relinquished custody-you wouldn't provide financial support.but you also wouldn't interfere in his life."

I tried to defend myself: "I am still legally his father." Even to my own ears, the words sounded hollow and pathetic.

"If he does something wrong, I will correct him. It's not your place to discipline him anymore. Do you understand?" Ruth took a step forward.her presence filling my spacious office despite her small stature.

I knew I was in the wrong, but still couldn't help saying, "I'm concerned you might be too lenient with him."

"Ha!" Ruth let out a cold laugh. "His biological father abandoned his mother for another woman, then abandoned him too. That child has experienced more trauma at five years old than most people do in decades.If I show him extra love and care, it's the least he deserves! And even if you were concerned about me spoiling him, does that justify hittinga child?"

Each of Ruth's words stabbed at me like tiny daggers.

She looked directly into my eyes. "Tell me, what terrible thing did he do that warranted you striking him? If he truly did something wrong,I would stand with you unconditionally."

I remained silent. This was entirely my fault, and I knew it He said he didn't want to contact his mother.," I finally admitted the truth.The moment the words left my mouth. I realized how absurd my justification was.

Ruth's expression transformed from surprise to mockery. "That's your excuse forhitting him?"

"He's only five. How could he be so cold..." I argued weakly,knowing I had no moral high ground. The truth was, I hadn't slapped Brian because he wouldn't contact Annie-I'd done it because his behavior reflected my own-a man running from his responsibilities.

Ruth shook her head in disbelief. "But isn't his attitude entirely your doing?"

"How is this my fault?" I instinctively countered.

"Think about it," Ruth's voice was calm yet razor-sharp. "First, you had an affair. Then, you deliberately encouraged him to distance himself from his mother. After divorcing Annie, you washed your hands of him completely.When he finally realized his mistake and wanted to make amends with his mother, Annie had already given up on him. He sensed that his mother doesn't want to see him anymore... so he's respecting her space. Isn't that actually mature of him? Would you prefer he pester and harass her instead?"

Her assessment left me speechless.

"As for you..." Ruth looked me up and down critically,"You insisted on divorcing my daughter, and fine, she granted you that. Now you want to pursue her again?"

Ruth suddenly frowned. "Don't tell me you're planning to use Brian to get back into Annie's life?"

"All men make mistakes. Can't she forgive me just once?" My voice was barely audible, and I hated myself for using such a pathetic excuse."We do have a child together, after all..."

Ruth's gaze instantly turned glacial. "When you were betraying her,did you ever consider you might end up here? Or did you simply assume that no matter how badly you hurt her, she would always forgive you unconditionally?"

She was right. I had always believed Annie would forgive me because she had once loved me so deeply. But I was wrong. When she left, there was no hatred in her eyes-only indifference, as if I were already dead to her.I should have understood then, but I was too arrogant.

"You're ridiculous," Ruth continued. "I know my daughter better than anyone. She might seem gentle and soft, but she's more stubborn than a mule. Once she makes up her mind, nothing can change it. Even if you dragged Brian along to beg her to come back, she wouldn't spare you a second glance. You need to let this go."

Her eyes sharpened like a hawk's. "But I must warn you... if you ever use her name as an excuse to hit him again, you'll see just how ruthless I can be!"

I looked up at her, wanting to appear firm, but found I couldn't.

Suddenly,Ruth stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap across my face. My cheek instantly burned with pain.

"You hit Brian, so I'm hitting you back on his behalf. Now we're even,"Ruth said, her voice suddenly calm. I took a deep breath,struggling to maintain my composure. "I've been patient with you only because you're Annle's mother. Don't push your luck.

"Hmph!" Ruth glared at me coldly. "She has nothing to do with you anymore, which means I have nothing to do with you either. You don't need to show restraint on anyone's account."

She turned and walked away, her back straight and determined. After the door closed, the office fell into complete silence, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My mind drifted to the past. There was a time when Ruth had adored me.Whenever Annie and I visited her in Brooklyn, she would prepare all my favorite dishes. Annie would even joke, "Mom, you treat Philip better than you treat me. I'm getting jealous!"

We were a family then-warm and harmonious. Now.everything had changed.

Annie was gone. Ruth despised me, Brian feared me. My office was spacious, but with only me inside, it felt painfully empty. I touched my still-burning cheek, feeling a terrible hollowness inside.

I once had everything, yet I had destroyed it all with my own hands.Even though I still commanded respect on Wall Street and had accumulated considerable wealth,what did it matter now?

Who would even careabout me anymore?