I Raised My Husband's Love Child

Chapter 3

"So what? We've got money. Mom can just buy me a spot at any school I want!" Kian said, shrugging carelessly.

Stephen shot me a quick glance. When he saw I wasn't reacting, he pushed forward. "Your mom loves you, Kian, but she can't keep letting you get away with this. Running the company by herself isn't easy. You need to show some drive. How are you ever going to help her or convince her to hand the reins to you one day?"

Rosie joined in, her voice serious. "Your dad's right. Even though Daphne will always have your back, you've got to develop your own abilities. How else will you gain the respect of the senior executives when you take over the company?"

The two of them seemed like they were reading from the same script, and I couldn't help but smile faintly. I kept my tone calm as I replied, "It's fine. I've already got everything figured out for Kian. I'm sending him abroad for his studies. When he comes back, he'll take over the company, just like I planned. Everything I've worked for is for him."

They all smiled, pleased with themselves. But I smiled too, not out of agreement, but because I knew they were wrong. They thought I was naive, but their game was transparent.

As I arranged for Kian to study abroad, I brought him to the company every day, teaching him the ropes and letting him get firsthand experience.

The day he left, Stephen went with him to the airport, gripping his hand like he was never going to let go. Rosie showed up too, loaded with care packages and worried about him adjusting to life abroad. They gave him a barrage of advice, making it feel like the whole world was holding its breath for his departure.

When Kian finally boarded the plane, they both stood there watching it climb into the sky, tears welling in their eyes. It was a picture-perfect moment of parents sending their child off into the world.

With Kian gone, Rosie came by less, but Stephen started heading out more often. Every time he returned, he looked drained. When I asked where he'd been, he'd claim he was just hanging out with friends or working out at the gym. On the rare occasions he didn't have an answer, he'd sigh like the world was ending.

"I raised Kian. He's never been away this long. I miss him so much. If I don't keep myself busy, I'm going to lose it."

Ignoring the lingering scent of Rosie's perfume on him, I smiled and reassured him, "He'll be back soon. Then we'll all be together again."

Stephen gave me a small, knowing smile. "Yeah, soon our little family will be whole again."

Four years later, Kian came back from his studies. True to form, Rosie showed up early to join Stephen and me at the airport.

The second Kian walked through the gate, they both rushed toward him, practically knocking everyone over to pull him into a tight hug. After their reunion, Kian turned to me, serious as ever.

"Mom, I'm back. When are you handing over the company to me?"

I met his eyes with a calm smile. "Let's go. I've already set up a press conference. We'll do it right there, in front of everyone."

At the press conference, the room was packed. Journalists, top business leaders, and all the big names were there to witness the moment the company's leadership changed hands.

With everyone watching, I stood tall and said, "Today, I'm officially passing the leadership of Stellar Sync Group to my son, Kian."