Were you mine?

Chapter 51The confrontation

Mercy crept through the shadows of the Rodger mansion, her heart pounding in her chest. It seemed like the old floorboards creaked under her feet as she tried to make her way to the library, where she could hear muffled voices. She knew that's the place they were at. She pressed herself against the door, her breath catching as she listened.

Inside, Phill and Percy already had their father cornered.It seemed like they had been grilling him for some time already. His expression was flabbergasted and he looked flushed.

"Father, you need to come clean. We know about the switch," Phill's voice was firm, demanding.Mr.Cole's face twisted in anger. "I don't know what you're talking about," he snapped, his eyes darting between his sons.

Percy stepped forward, waving the papers in Mr. Cole's face. "Don't play dumb, Father or shall I call you Mr.Cole?We have proof. You switched me at birth! Why?"

Mercy's heart ached. The pain in Percy's voice was too well defined. She couldn't even imagine how much he might be hurting inside.

Mr. Cole's facade cracked, and he let out a bitter laugh. "Fine, you want the truth? Here it is. Your mother was unfaithful. I wasn't sure if the baby she carried was mine, so I switched it with another

In this case, you. Are you satisfied? Do you need anything else?"

Phill's eyes widened in disbelief. "You switched Percy because you thought Mom cheated?And you say it in such a way? Do you even realise what you have done?"

Mr. Cole's voice rose, filled with years of pent-up rage. "Yes! I wanted to get back at her, to make her pay. And you know what? I still don't know if any of you are mine. Not you, not Mercy."

Mercy's heart clenched as she heard her name. She pressed closer, her mind racing.The mansion hid many secrets.Did she have her share of secrets as well? Percy was shaking with anger. "You ruined my life because of your petty revenge?"

" Ruined? Did you even find out whose child you were? A drunk head, bastard. He couldn't even afford his wife's medical expenditures. You got the best out of this deal, boy. You got nothing to compare. I literally brought you from the rags to riches. If anything, you should be so thankful so as to kick my boots in gratitude. A roadside scum like you, living a grand life..."

He didn't get to finish his statement, Phill shoved him so hard he fell on the chair in front of him.

" Be grateful I still consider you my father. I wouldn't hesitate to let that nose bleed if you utter another word against Percy. Mother was always right about you. You are a spineless monster. You know what, I wish none of us turn out to be your children. A man like you deserves to family. ”

He almost spat on his old man.

Mr. Cole's eyes blazed. "Don't you dare judge me! You don't know what it's like to live with that kind of doubt, to look at your children and wonder if they're really yours."

Phill stepped forward, trying to keep his cool, shaking his head repeatedly. "This isn't about us judging you, Mr.Cole.This is about the truth. We deserved to know.Its sickening that to stuck with the woman you thought cheated on you and took out your twisted anger on a baby. Do you even have any idea what happened to the child my mother gave birth to? Where is he? Who is he? Whether he is alive or dead? Did you ever bother? Do you even care? "

Mr. Cole scoffed. "The truth? The truth is a damn curse. It ruined my life, and now it's ruining yours.As for the child,he was never my burden to bear.I did what I had to do to survive. You have no idea what it was like."

"Survive? You call this survival? You've torn this family apart!You have torn another family apart.Yet you are stuck with the woman you claim to loath, for what? Money? " Phill was more agitated than Percy and Mercy could tell he was shaking with rage.

"All these years, you lied to everyone. You made us live a lie." Percy's voice trailed off, reminiscing. " But I guess you were honest with your behavior towards me. You never made me feel like I belonged. ”

"And what would you have done in my place, huh? Just taken it? Let her betrayal slide?" He ignored Percy and directed his words towards Phill.

"You don’t get to play the victim here! This was your mess, your choice!" He gritted through his teeth

"You don’t understand! You never will!" Mr.Cole sunk back into his chair, reluctantly.

"No, we understand perfectly. You’re the one who doesn’t get it.Come on Percy, let's go. There is nothing left to talk about. I will let the lawyers do their job tomorrow morning. ” Phill grabbed Percy's hand and was about to drag him out as he prepared to walk out on their father.

"You walk out that door, and you’re no sons of mine." Mr.Cole spat.

Phill smirked, "Maybe we never were.Just like you said. Goodbye,Mr.Cole.I will make sure Mercy doesn't come as well."

"You’ll regret this! Both of you!" He threatened.

"We paid the price for your sins.I am already regretting everything.I can’t believe I ever looked up to you. You’re a coward." Percy added with a chilling calm.

"The only regret we have is believing in you." Phill spat before turning around.

" You! Ungrateful son of a...", Mr.Cole froze in his track without completing his sentence. His eyes shot open as if he had seen a ghost. All the colour faded from his face and he became like a statue, staring behind both the boys.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Elizabeth walked in, her face distorted with confusion and curiosity."What's going on here?