Born For This

Chapter 002: Price of Returning Home

Silence on the phone stretched for several seconds after Kyle spoke.

Rain tapped steadily against the living room windows, the sound filling the empty space of the house he had once believed was home.

His mother didn't speak immediately, and Kyle clenched the phone tighter.

Of course he had prepared himself for her anger or cold indifference. After all, two years ago it was he who had walked out of the Morgan family home and sworn never to come back.

All because of Vivian.

Finally, his mother sighed softly. "Kyle."

Her voice carried the same calm dignity he remembered since childhood.

"My dear son...you should have come home sooner."

Kyle's chest tightened. "I'm truly sorry, Mother."

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

For a moment, the only sound between them was the rain. Then he heard the clearing of his mother's throat.

"You were young, Kyle," she said gently. "You believed in love, and there's truly nothing shameful about that."

Tears stung Kyle's eyes, and for the first time that night, the crushing weight inside his chest eased slightly.

But her next words were cold and almost merciless.

"Now, you mustn't misunderstand me."

Kyle stiffened.

"You turned your back on the noble Morgan family," she continued. "That's not what a mere apology can fix. It sure isn't, my boy."

His fingers tightened around the phone. "Mother–"

"What happened to you was not just Vivian's fault," she cut in. "You chose that path yourself. You turned your back on us, and you chose to be a mere puppet in that household."

Kyle lowered his head as his mother continued with a sharper tone.

"For two years, you stayed silent while people mocked you and treated you like a servant. I do not pity you. I never will."

Each word struck Kyle painfully. Then her voice softened again.

"Still...you are my son."

He exhaled slowly.

"Now, tell me everything," she demanded.

Kyle did. He told her about the mockery from Vivian's brothers and the countless times he had been treated like a servant.

Then he told her what happened tonight.

When he was done, there was a long silence.

"Pride in the making," his mother said at last. Then she sighed. "For the past three years, do you know why Vivian's company rose so quickly?"

Kyle sat upright a bit, frowning slightly. "What? You...helped her?"

His mother gave a quiet laugh.

"Helped? That's an understatement. Vivian Group would have collapsed in less than six months without me."

Kyle's eyes widened. He had always assumed the company's success was achieved all by Vivian's hard work.

"For three years, I'd been propping up Vivian Group from the shadows," his mother added.

Kyle felt as if lightning had just struck him. "What?!"

"Yes. I invested quietly through shell companies. I also redirected contracts and influenced certain partnerships that came her way."

Despite the calmness in her tone, Kyle could hear the faint bitterness beneath his mother's voice.

"It cost me dearly, Kyle."

"But why?" he asked immediately. "Why would you do all that?"

His mother sighed. "Well, because you chose her. I couldn't stop you. But I would not watch my own son live in disgrace because his wife failed."

Kyle's throat tightened painfully.

"But now," his mother continued, "things are different."

He waited, knowing that she was about to drop the statement that could change everything.

"Kyle."

"Yes Mother."

"I wish to transfer full ownership of Transcorp Enterprise to you."

Kyle stood up quickly. "What?"

"You heard right."

Transcorp Enterprise? That was the largest company in the entire city. It was a giant in the corporate world, one that even Vivian's company would struggle to reach in ten lifetimes.

"I'll give it all to you," she continued, "only after you take back everything that was lost to Vivian."

Kyle's breathing grew heavier. "Mother–"

"You will crush Vivian Group," she cut in. "And only when you have reclaimed the family's dignity will I recognize you as my son again."

Her voice had become cold as steel, and Kyle had no choice but to nod slowly.

"I understand," he said. "I will take it back."

"Good," she said. "Take care, my boy. It's been a while."

The call ended.

Kyle stood in the dimly lit room for a long time. Then he picked up the fallen gift box from his coat pocket.

He opened it to see the silver bracelet with the tiny sapphire gleaming faintly under the dim light.

Kyle stared at it for a moment, then closed the box and tossed it straight into the trash.

-------

The next morning, the front door burst open loudly.

Vivian walked in, laughing. Her red dress from last night had been replaced by a stylish black coat draped over her shoulders, and her cheeks were slightly flushed from alcohol.

Behind her stood James Carter.

The two of them walked into the house as if it belonged entirely to them.

Vivian lazily kicked off her heels.

"Kyle!" Her voice rang through the house. "Come take our coats."

James chuckled softly behind her.

But no one came.

Kyle sat quietly on the living room sofa, scrolling through his phone. He didn't even lift his head.

Vivian frowned slightly. "Kyle?"

Still no response.

James glanced at him curiously. This was strange.

From everything Vivian had described, Kyle was practically a living butler.

Vivian couldn't take it. She walked over and dropped her coat onto the couch beside him.

"Kyle, what are you doing?"

Kyle finally raised his head slowly, meeting her gaze.

Vivian frowned. Something about his expression felt different.

Before she could think too much about it, she waved her hand impatiently.

"Look, I'm exhausted. Go prepare some hangover remedies and breakfast. Quick."

She gestured toward James. "He's staying up all night helping me entertain clients."

James smiled politely. "Sorry to trouble you, champ."

Kyle stared at him for two seconds.

"No," he said flatly.

The room went silent, and Vivian blinked.

"What did you say?"

"I said no."

James frowned in confusion.

Had he just misheard?

Kyle Morgan, the obedient live-in son-in-law who practically worshipped Vivian just refused her request?

Vivian's expression darkened. "Kyle, have you lost your freaking mind?"

James stepped forward, shaking his head disapprovingly. "Kyle, you shouldn't speak to Vivian like that."

Kyle looked at him slowly.

"She works really hard for this family," James continued calmly. "You should be grateful and obedient."

His tone slowly became reproachful.

"Instead, you're snapping at her. Hell, your poor ass can't even appreciate what she does for you!"

Something inside Kyle finally snapped, and in the next second, his fist crashed straight into James' face.

The sound echoed through the room.

"Kyle!" Vivian screamed in pure horror.

James staggered backward, blood instantly pouring from his nose. He barely regained his balance before Kyle grabbed him by the collar and slammed another punch into his jaw.

This made him collapse onto the floor, blood splattering across the tiles.

Vivian stood frozen in shock. "Oh my God. I'm gonna call...I'm gonna call the cops."

She had never seen Kyle like this before.

Without saying another word, Kyle grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.

-------

Outside, the cold morning air filled Kyle's lungs as he walked down the quiet street.

His knuckles still stung, and he tried to steady his breathing.

But strangely, he felt lighter than he had in years.

Just then, his phone rang. He was about to pick the call when a low engine hum echoed down the road.

Kyle turned his head quickly, thinking it was the police.

Instead, he noted a sleek black supercar rolling to a stop beside him.

The window slid down smoothly, and behind the wheel sat a beautiful woman in a sharp business suit.

Her gaze landed on Kyle. For a brief moment, her eyes softened.

"Good morning, young master," she said in one of the sweetest voices Kyle had ever heard.

Young master?

Kyle got confused. But he was sure it wasn't the cops.

He frowned slightly. "Who are you?"

The woman offered a faint smile that made her even more beautiful. "My name is Dora. Acting CEO of Transcorp Enterprise."