Chapter 622
Even After Death
The two men were half-brothers of the same father.
One of them owned all of their fatherâs love, spending his childhood that was pampered with parental
love.
The other person was born without receiving love from anyone, yet he owned 80 percent of the familyâs
assets.
They were born on the same day, month, and year. They were born earlier than the expected due.
Ethan was born five minutes earlier than that man, but their status was that of the sky and earth.
Kenneth Miller-their father-stayed outside the delivery room the whole time, waiting for the child to be
born.
But Ethan hadnât received love from Kenneth since he was born.
His grandfather granted him a name, yet his biological father didnât visit him once after he was born.
Meanwhile, Kenneth gave Darrell Miller his name. As his name suggested, he was his parentsâ dearly
beloved son.
Ethan looked forward to his birthday when he was three because he heard from his grandfather that
Kenneth was going to celebrate his birthday.
Hence, the anticipation grew in him two weeks before his birthday.
He couldnât even sleep the night before his birthday. He waited at the door for Kenneth before the sun
rose.
The little boy waited and waited until the sky brightened, but his father didnât come.
The little Ethan wondered, âDid Dad lose his way because he has never come home before?â
He then begged the driver to pick Kenneth up.
When they arrived at the destination, Ethan finally saw the person he always saw in videos and
pictures. The man was tall and handsome.
âIs that Dad?â he wondered.
However, the man was holding another boy of Ethanâs age.
Kenneth would hold the boy, who was about to trip
He would coo at the boy when the latter threw a tantrum and let him ride on his shoulders, saying,
âHere we go!â
A gentle-looking woman watched them playing around with a smile.
Soon, a lot of kids arrived. They were hugging beautiful birthday presents, wishing the boy âHappy
birthday.â
Before Ethan realized it, he was already there.
He simply wanted to hold his fatherâs hand to see if it was as rough and warm as his grandfatherâs.
âWho are you?â the little boy questioned Ethan.
Kenneth saw Ethan, too. Kenneth was stunned at first until Ethan carefully called, âDad.â
Anticipation was bubbling in him as he wondered if Kenneth missed him as he did.
However, what awaited him wasnât love.
The handsome man frowned, and his tone was cold. âWhat brings you here? Did your mother tell you
to come?â
It was a meeting between a father and a son, but there was no love.
Like a completely different person, Kenneth looked at Ethan with loathing as though the boy was the
most hateful person in
this world.
âNo, I-I justâ¦â the little Ethan explained clumsily.
But Kenneth didnât want to waste a single second on this. âLeave! Donât make me repeat myself.â
Ethan wasnât a crybaby because his grandfather told him that a man had to be strong and courageous.
That way, he would be able to protect his family when he grew up.
However, Ethan couldnât control his emotions at that time. Tears were pooling in his eyes.
He thought, âIs this man my father? Why is he treating me this way?â
âThis isnât somewhere you should be,â said Kenneth before leaving.
Tears ran over Ethanâs cheeks. Right then, a little kid helped him wipe his tears away.
âI know you. Are you my older brother? Then, it should be your birthday today, too. How about we
celebrate our birthdays together?â
The boy, who resembled Ethan, appeared gentle.
Ethanâs head was a mess as he nodded without thinking much.
Ethan wondered if Darrell was the reason why Kenneth hadnât returned home all this while.
Ethan wiped his tears away before chasing Kenneth, pulling his hand.
âDad, why didnât you bring my younger brother back home to live together? Are you afraid that I would
bully him? I wonât.
âGrandpa told me that a man has to protect his family. I wonât bully him.â
Kenneth shoved Ethanâs hand away. The loathe in Kennethâs eyes became more evident. âDonât touch
me.â
Ethan knew that Kennethâs hands were big and smooth, unlike his grandfatherâs hands, which were
rough and cold.
âWeâre going to eat the cake soon. Letâs cut it together,â Darrell suggested.
Ethan had no time to dwell on sorrow. âOkay.â
After cutting the cake, the kids, who had taken their share of it, smacked it onto Ethanâs face.
While Ethan remained dazed, Darrell whispered to him in an eerie voice, âI know you a long time ago.
Happy birthday.â