Chapter 2

Back then, she didn't explain anything and just resolutely canceled the wedding. The Marquez family and Lawson family had been connected for a long time, but what Victoria did apparently harmed the relationship. Her father, Desmond Marquez, was so furious that he didn't speak with her for a year. He even was more disappointed when she gave birth to this child. As her stepmother, Grace Marquez, and her half-sister, Kaylin, kept talking bad things about Victoria around her father, their relationship became even worse. What Grace and Kaylin said made Desmond believe that Victoria didn't live a decent life. During the five years she was away, time had finally calmed Desmond down. Recently, Victoria would occasionally send him photos of herself and Franklin. Three days ago, Desmond fell ill, so he gave Victoria a call and told her to bring Franklin home as well. After living abroad for five years, Victoria had moved on from what happened five years ago. Now, what she only cared about in her life was Franklin. As for the past, it was already in the past. The taxi drove them to the Marquez's from the airport. Standing at the entrance of the Marquez's luxurious mansion, Victoria took a deep breath. She lost her family the moment her mother passed away. Grace brought Kaylin to this house in an imposing manner. The news that her father had an illegitimate child was revealed three months after Desmond got married to Victoria's mother. She used to blame her father and struggled a lot, but now that her mother had passed away, she decided to let it all go. As the daughter, she could do nothing to interfere with her father's marriage. However, in this family, she gradually became an outsider. "Mommy... What are you thinking about?" A childish voice sounded by her side. Victoria was drawn back from her thoughts. She then stepped down to tidy up Franklin's hood and said with a smile, "Remember to be polite, OK?" "Sure!" Franklin's lips curved into a smile. His two large eyes, like sparkling stars, were so beautiful that people couldn't move their eyes away from them. Since Victoria gave birth to Franklin, she decided to let go of her grudge against that bastard. Franklin grew more and more handsome, but his facial features didn't resemble hers. She surely knew what that meant. However, no matter who the father was, she knew that Franklin was her kid. As for that bastard, she didn't wanna see him for the rest of her life. Victoria stood up and rang the bell. Not long later, the servant opened the door and said in surprise, "Ms. Victoria Marquez, you're finally back. This must be your son! He's so pretty." "Is Dad home?" "Yes, he is. Mrs. Marquez and Ms. Kaylin Marquez, are also here." The smile on the servant's face looked unnatural. Victoria didn't care about Grace or Kaylin. She was here only to visit Desmond and show him Franklin. When Victoria led the little guy in, Desmond Marquez was making tea on the sofa in the hall. As he looked up and saw Victoria and Franklin, he put down his teacup and stood up in a hurry. "Dad, I'm back," Victoria immediately greeted her father. She had to put their conflicts aside because they were still family. "I'm happy that you're back." Desmond looked at her eldest daughter, who was becoming more and more beautiful. His gaze partly rested on the little boy beside her. In the photos, he already knew what his grandson looked like, but he was still excited when he saw such a cute and handsome boy in reality. "You must be Franklin, right?" "Hello, Grandpa." Franklin bowed and addressed his grandfather politely. "Come here and let me have a good look." Desmond felt warmed. The little guy immediately jumped into Desmond's arms. Desmond gave him a hug and began to carefully look up and down at him. He then complacently raised his eyebrows. "He has my eyebrows." Victoria wanted to roll her eyes at Desmond. She looked at Desmond's eyebrows and then looked at Franklin's. They didn't resemble at all. However, she couldn't help but smile. She was delighted because Desmond loved Franklin. In front of the handrail on the second floor, Grace and Kaylin were looking at the scene. Both of them flashed resentment and regret in their eyes. Grace snorted unhappily as she saw the loving scene between Desmond and Franklin. "You have already come back! I thought you were going to arrive in the afternoon!" Grace pretended to welcome Victoria's arrival as she walked downstairs. "Grace." Victoria greeted Grace, nothing more than out of politeness. When her eyes fell on Kaylin, her face turned even more indifferent. "He's so cute." Grace had to act like a hostess in front of her husband. When she sat down and reached out for Franklin, Victoria immediately felt tensed up. She was afraid that Grace would hurt Franklin in the dark. Anyway, she knew very well how wicked Grace and Kaylin were. "My dear sister," Kaylin smiled proudly as she walked over to Victoria. "Long time no see." Victoria turned her head away to avoid seeing her. Five years ago, the scene of Kaylin hugging her fiancé naked was still lingering in her mind. Austin was her childhood sweetheart, and their relationship was intimate. She hated Austin and her shameless half-sister. In the end, no matter how long Austin and Victoria had known each other, Kaylin managed to steal him away. That year, she got hurt twice in a row. First, she lost her virginity to someone unknown. Second, her fiancé had cheated on her. Since then, she never believed in men. "Grace, please clean up a guest room for Victoria and Franklin." "No need for that, Dad. I'll bring Franklin to stay with Betty." "Your home's here. How can you live with someone else?" "She's my best friend." Victoria insisted. She would be worried if Franklin lived in this house. Grace and Kaylin were not easy to deal with. Desmond's attention to Franklin had already made them jealous. "Grandpa, Betty's my godmother. I also want to see her." Franklin also spoke for his mother. "Alright! It's up to you!" Desmond stopped arguing and stood up to hold Franklin's hand. "Take a walk in the garden with me." Franklin immediately smiled and held his hand. Desmond's stone-cold heart was warmed by his smile. He always felt that he owed Victoria and Franklin a lot all these years. No matter what happened, they were his kids. Victoria didn't follow them out. Since Desmond wanted to spend some time with Franklin, she'd better leave them alone. "Victoria, why did you come back suddenly? Don't you feel comfortable abroad?" Kaylin said in a mocking voice. "This is my home. Why can't I come back?" Victoria cast a cold glance at her. Grace looked at her in surprise. In the past five years, she seemed to have changed a lot. Grace was still jealous of her beautiful face, yet at the same time, there was something more. She had to admit that Victoria's temperament was more charming. Looking at her daughter again, although she was also pretty, she seemed to be no equal to Victoria. "I now know why you didn't marry Austin. Given your son's birthday, you had betrayed him a long time ago." Kaylin scoffed. Victoria didn't want to argue. "Well, if you say so. Since you liked him that much, I didn't mind yielding him to you." "Thanks. I'm now Austin's girlfriend. We're getting engaged soon." Kaylin sneered with pride.