I don’t need grandkids from some small-town girl! The rich man kicked out his son upon learning his fiancée from the countryside is expecting triplets! Three years later, he came to mock him and was STUNNED by what he saw…

Somehow they had nothing connecting them except the same blood type and a birthmark on the back. The son shared neither his father’s interests nor values. The mother raised him wrong, no doubt.

But now nothing could be done, and the father had only to wash his hands and accept what was. And now he looked at his son and didn’t recognize himself in him. Nothing like him.

Except perhaps he inherited the entrepreneurial streak. In his short life, he had already acquired connections and managed to wisely dispose of the little money he had. But if Victor Thomas were in his place, he would of course do everything differently.

He understands that it would be much easier and more profitable to sell this huge forest he had seen while driving. For that, build a sawmill. Locals are ready to work for pennies.

Why pay them a lot? Want more, take more shifts. These are small-town folks, what else do they expect? In Victor Thomas’s opinion, his son missed a lot of profit. However, he was disconcerted by what he saw….

It didn’t match his expectations about Alex’s success and life in the small town at all. The kids were noisily playing in the yard, the father-in-law sat modestly at the table on the edge. Angela kept running to the kitchen bringing bread, drinks, clean dishes.

Sometimes Alex went with her to help. In such moments, an awkward silence fell at the table. In one such moment, Victor Thomas tensely thought about everything happening.

Everything around seemed strange to him, and some bad, ominous premonition arose. «Hello, hello! Who’s come to visit you?» A woman’s voice from behind the fence interrupted his thoughts. He turned and saw an elderly woman in a headscarf standing on the road.

Michael Johnson answered her. «Hello to you too, Nancy Smith. This is from the city come to meet me.»

«Can’t be,» the woman was surprised. «And does Linda know?» «No, she doesn’t. If she knew, she’d be here already.»

«Don’t tell her.» «And what about me? It’s none of my business. Why would I tell her?» When she left, Michael Johnson turned and said.

«I’ll bet she went to tell her.» But Victor Thomas wasn’t listening anymore. The puzzle came together in his head as soon as he heard that name.

«Linda.» Then it hit him like thunder. He understood whom Angela reminded him of so much.

Clearly, he couldn’t have known her herself before, she’s too young. Probably, she just looks like someone, and most likely her mother, who by age should be his, Victor Thomas’s, peer or around there. And now he remembered her.

And horror chilled him to the bone. Recalling that woman’s character, he could expect anything from her. But where is she? Why doesn’t she know about his arrival? It was awkward to ask those around, and Victor Thomas feverishly figured everything out in his head.

In the story, Alex mentioned the mother-in-law, but Angela didn’t say a word about her, which was strange. Why doesn’t she live with Angela’s father? He had no answers to these questions, and honestly, he didn’t want to know. All he wanted was to avoid this meeting.

I think it’s time for me. He said, standing up and looking around. Visited and enough.

Dad, but you just arrived, where are you going? Alex was surprised by his father’s haste. Victor Thomas had already descended the stairs and headed to his car. Why drag it out? He said on the go.

I see you’re living well, happy for you, nice to meet, well, I must go. Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, not understanding what happened. Even the kids in the sandbox fell silent and watched, and passersby stopped and listened to the conversation hoping to learn something interesting that could become the news of the day.

Victor Thomas didn’t even manage to open his car door. From behind his back, he heard a voice that pierced him through. Ah, there he is.

Scoundrel! You dared to come here after all? He turned and froze. On the road stood a stocky woman about fifty with bright yellow hair, in a flowery blouse and sweatpants. In her hand, she held a hoe.

Apparently, the news of Victor Thomas’s arrival caught her right in the garden. She looked extremely combative. More passersby gathered.

Apparently, they deliberately came here following her. Victor Thomas pressed against his car, stunned, not daring to move or open the door. Angela ran out and blocked her way.

Mom, stop, don’t touch him. Let’s all just talk. Out! The mother shouted loudly and shortly.

I’ll get to him. Oh, how long I’ve waited for this. For over twenty years, I’ve imagined our meeting, and finally, this day has come.

Victor Thomas finally snapped out of his stupor and opened the car door. Here’s the thing, I’m leaving. Everyone move.

A second, and the hoe flies toward him. Flying half a meter from his head, it lands right on the windshield, which shatters with a crash. You still haven’t understood that jokes with me are bad, asked Linda.

You managed to get away unscathed then, but you ruined my life and must answer for it. Neighbors exchanged glances, understanding nothing. Linda, tell us what happened, someone from the crowd asked.

The woman cast a cold gaze around everyone. And I will tell, I have nothing to hide, everyone knows about me anyway. And you… She pointed a finger at Victor Thomas, who stood pressed to the car door on shaking legs…

You probably managed to tear those shameful pages from your life and hide your terrible deed. Let people hear who you really are. All the outsiders settled comfortably, preparing to listen.

Some leaned on the fence, some sat on the grass and pulled seeds from their pocket. Only Angela still tried to drag her mother into the house, but she just pushed her away and began her story. I was born and raised in this town.

Our family has lived here from time immemorial. After finishing school, I left the town and went to the city. There I got a job as a saleswoman in a store of elite men’s watches.

It was great luck, because there you can meet a rich man. Customers are all businessmen and officials. Who doesn’t dream of marrying a rich man? And I was the first beauty in town.

Big eyes, plump red lips, and a figure to die for? I had all the chances to snag such a husband. I won’t hide, that’s why I went to the city. Show me a girl who in my place would refuse such an opportunity.

Very quickly, I met one young customer. He was tall, handsome, expensively dressed. Like an aristocrat.

No ring on his finger. I hid the watch model he came for and said they weren’t in stock, but I’d definitely call him when they arrive on order. That’s how I got his phone…