A Face For A Face

After returning home, I followed my memory and rushed straight toward the room that belonged to my son, Andy.

“Andy? Buddy? Andy, Daddy's home.”

The household staff stared at me in shock. At first, I thought it was because of my face. So, I quickly pulled out a wrinkled mask and put it on. I didn't want to scare Andy when he saw me.

However, the moment I pushed open the door, I froze. The room that had once been filled with toys was now packed with miscellaneous junk. The stench of dust and garbage hit me hard, and my mind went blank. Slowly, I turned around and grabbed the nearest servant by the arm.

“Where's Andy? Where did you take him?”

The servant glanced at Riley, who had just walked up behind me, and hesitated to speak. A terrible feeling settled in my chest, and I started to panic.

I grabbed Riley by the collar, asking, “Where is Andy, Riley? Where is he? You can't just neglect him because I wasn't there with him...”

Riley closed her eyes. After a long struggle, she finally forced out the words.

“Andy… is dead…”

Something inside me snapped.

“The child who was hit in that accident was Andy. Leo didn't mean for it to happen. Back then, we were afraid you'd be devastated, so we thought it would be better if you spent a few years in prison. That way, you wouldn't have to face the pain directly.”

The blood seemed to drain from my entire body. I couldn't stop trembling as tears streamed down my face.

“Liar! Riley, I’ve done what you wanted! I went to prison for Leo! Now give me back my son. I'm begging you. Bring Andy back to me!”

Riley's face turned pale.

“Carter, Andy is gone. There's no point putting Riley in a tough spot,” Leo said, aggrieved. “I know you're angry, Carter, but please believe me. I know I was wrong. For the last few years, I've stayed by Riley's side, trying to make up for it.

“Riley found out she's one month pregnant. Since the baby and Andy share the same mother, they'll be brothers. If it comes down to it, we'll give this child to you to make up for Andy.”

I stared at him in disbelief, my eyes wide with fury. Then, I used every ounce of strength I had and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

My Andy… How could he talk about Andy's death so casually, as if Andy were a piece of trash that could simply be replaced?

Riley had started toward me. However, when she saw Leo staggering backward, she immediately changed direction and rushed to support him instead. When she finally looked up and met my bloodshot eyes, her lips parted.

In the end, she said, “Carter, what happened between Leo and me… was a mistake. But since I'm pregnant, I'm keeping the baby. Andy is gone, and I can't bear losing another child.”

I had never felt so disgusted in my life.

I lunged forward and grabbed Leo by the hair, shouting, “How can the child of a homewrecker and a murderer ever be compared to my Andy? Riley, Andy was your son, too!”

Leo screamed, and in the struggle, his fingernails raked across my face, blood splattering onto the floor. Another scar was added to the face I already hated.

Instinctively, Riley kicked me away, but in the second, she froze.

“Carter, I… You need time to calm down. Someone, take Mr. Quince back to his room. Make sure he rests.”

Two bodyguards in black suits immediately stepped forward. With one on each side, they grabbed my arms, dragged me away, and shoved me roughly into a bedroom.

My strength gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor. All I could see was the image of Andy from five years ago, the almost three-year-old running toward me with his tiny arms outstretched, calling out, “Daddy!”

My heart felt like it was being torn apart; it felt so empty. However, no amount of tears could ever bring my Andy back.

That night, Riley pushed open my bedroom door. In her hand was my old phone.

“There are photos of Andy on here. Maybe it'll make you feel a little better.”

I reached for it immediately, but she stopped me.

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke again. “Carter, I have an appointment for the baby check-up tomorrow. But if you refuse to forgive Leo, he's threatening to make me terminate the baby to make up for what happened. You wouldn't want me to suffer either, would you? Will you come with me tomorrow?”

I stared at the woman in front of me and laughed so hard that tears streamed down my face.

“Okay.”