Chapter 3A Mother's Erasure

But I wouldn't drink. Not yet.

Eighteen years of devotion had finally curdled into a bitter, stubborn resentment. How could I just let it all go? They were still lying to me, right to my face, pretending they remembered my birthday.

I would tear down their facade.

Glancing from one to the other, I slammed the cup down on the table.

"Thanks, but I'm not thirsty."

"You have to drink it, even if you're not thirsty! It's from your son!" Jason's composure finally cracked. He strode over, picked up the cup, and thrust it at me. "Drink it. You'll break his heart."

Damian nodded eagerly beside him.

I wanted to laugh. To throw my head back and howl with derisive laughter.

My voice dripped with scorn. "Don't be in such a rush. I won't keep you from your precious Layla. She's waiting for you, isn't she?"

I had known for a while that Layla was back. Why else would Jason have been living at the lab, working day and night to perfect his little potion?

The color drained from Jason’s face. His fingers tightened around the cup. He finally understood. I was toying with them. I knew exactly what this was.

Damian’s young face went pale, his eyes filled with guilt.

I sneered. "Don't panic. I just want to know one thing. Was this your plan with Layla all along?"

This potion had been in development for years. I had been a part of their calculations for a long, long time. They had certainly worked hard to get rid of me.

"You… Fine. Since you already know, there’s no point in hiding it." Jason’s expression shifted in an instant, his emotions locked back down. He was always a man of cold control. Now, it was time to lay the cards on the table.

"We started thinking about this seven years ago," he said, his voice laced with resentment. "You have only yourself to blame. You were unreasonable, a complete harpy!"

"And I," he continued, a martyr, "refuse to abandon the wife of my youth. Our son cannot sever the blood that ties him to you. So, using Lethe to make you… normal… is the best solution for everyone."

Normal? So, loving you was abnormal.

"Hahaha! Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!" I gave him a thumbs-up.

Jason had never seen me like this, so brazenly defiant. His composure shattered into rage. "What's with the sarcasm? It's come to this. I have nothing more to say. Drink it!" He pointed at the cup, delivering his final ultimatum.

Damian, emboldened, echoed him. "Just drink it! Drink it, and I'll still acknowledge you as my mother. If you don't, we're done!"

Well, that sounded fantastic.

And you know what? I was suddenly a little thirsty.

"Down the hatch, then."

I let out one last, derisive chuckle and raised the cup. I had no more questions. I had no more love.

It was time.

Father and son tensed, their eyes wide, fixed on me, burning with a desperate, hopeful light.

I would not disappoint them. I drank it all in one go.

Let this water tear my heart to shreds.

I… am finally letting you go.