Chapter 137 He Likes Men
Elizabeth tried to keep it together as she lifted her head. "He called me mom."
Michael's voice was shaky. "Is he your kid? Am I his dad?"
Elizabeth shot him a look. "Did you ever give me that chance?"
Michael's mind flashed back to the time he made her get an abortion. The memories hit him hard, making him feel awful.
That must had hurt her a lot, not just physically, but emotionally too. She was only twenty then, still figuring out her life.
His tone softened, "Who's his father?"
Elizabeth didn't want to keep talking to him. The more she said, the more likely she'd slip up. She wanted to end this awkward conversation fast. "Nolan's a kid I adopted from abroad. He doesn't have a father."
But Michael wouldn't drop it. "Elizabeth, why'd you adopt someone else's kid? Can't you have your own?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at his logic. "Michael! Don't push it! You said you didn't want kids, but you can't take away my right to be a mom! Since you didn't want your own kid, why can't I let someone else's kid call me mom?"
She couldn't admit Nolan's real parentage. If Michael found out Nolan and Pearl were his kids, who knew what he'd do? She knew how scary he could be.
Michael wasn't as cocky as when he first showed up. His tone was softer, "Do you really like kids that much?"
Elizabeth replied, "Of course, I love kids! They're gifts from heaven to their parents! Anyway, I can't argue with you! I don't want to waste any more words on you! From now on, stay out of my business! Just take care of your girlfriend!"
Michael was stunned. Girlfriend? He hadn't really thought of Calla as his girlfriend. But now, hearing Elizabeth mention it, he remembered he had agreed to date Calla. It hadn't been long, and Elizabeth already knew? She was really paying attention to him. Was she this mad because of that?
Michael stared at Elizabeth, his mind racing. Seeing her look at him with disdain, like she couldn't wait to get rid of him, Michael suddenly thought of Dean. He asked, "Was that guy just now your new boyfriend?"
She said, "None of your business."
"Elizabeth, even if we're divorced, can't you find a better boyfriend? Don't just bring any guy around."
Elizabeth realized he was taking a shot at Dean!
She fired back, "Dean is way better than you! At least he's not a cheater! And your new girlfriend Calla, you better take a good look at what kind of person she is!"
Michael didn't like her attacking Calla. "Dr. Griffin isn't what you think. She's a good person."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "What's so good about her? I think she's not even as good as Margaret."
Their conversation was anything but pleasant. Michael angrily opened the door and stormed out. The eavesdroppers outside quickly went back to their desks. Dean watched Michael leave and rushed to find Elizabeth. She was sitting in her office chair, fuming.
Dean stood behind her, giving her shoulders a gentle massage. "What were you two talking about? I saw your ex storm out, and now you're all worked up. Do you guys have some deep-seated beef? Elizabeth, did he do something to you?"
He spun the chair around to check if Elizabeth was hurt.
Elizabeth stopped him. "No, he didn't do anything. He just thought you were my boyfriend, and I didn't correct him. Dean, I'm sorry if that messes with your reputation."
Dean let out a relieved sigh. "I don't mind. Being called your boyfriend is an honor for me! Heck, if you need me, I can even be your husband."
Elizabeth laughed. "Thanks, Dean. You're always so sweet. But no thanks on the husband part. I'm not planning to get married again. Marriage isn't for me."
"Marriage isn't for me either. I've lost faith in men," Dean sighed.
Elizabeth tried to comfort him. "You were just hurt by one guy. It doesn't mean all men are bad. There are still good ones out there. One day you'll meet someone who truly cares for you."
Dean looked at her and smiled. "You don't even believe in love yourself, yet you're trying to convince me."
Elizabeth replied, "I have Nolan and Pearl, and that's enough. With my kids by my side, I feel very happy."
Years ago, Dean had a brain tumor, and his partner ditched him. Heartbroken, he went to a bar, got wasted, and passed out in an alley behind it. It was freezing outside, but the drunk and unconscious Dean didn't notice.
Elizabeth was on her way home from school and happened to pass by that alley. She took Dean back to the place she rented with Nancy. She warmed him up and sobered him up. Later, she took him to the hospital and helped him undergo brain tumor surgery. During his hospital stay, Elizabeth took care of him closely.
After Dean recovered and was discharged, he and Elizabeth co-founded Innovatech Solutions. Dean was a whiz with computer tech, and Elizabeth had Robert's unfinished Super Brain system. Dean perfected and repaired the Super Brain system and put it into product development. Innovatech Solutions quickly became a rising star in the business world.
Elizabeth's grad studies were pretty demanding, so most of the time, Dean managed the company. At the end of each month, Dean would have the finance department transfer dividends to Elizabeth's account until she finished her grad studies.
During this time, she bought a property to provide a more comfortable living environment for the family. Dean was a regular at their dinner table, always praising Nancy's cooking, calling it the best he'd ever had. This made Nancy beam with pride.
Despite their general aversion to strangers, Pearl and Nolan both took a liking to Dean. He would play princess castle games with Pearl, captivating her imagination. Every time Dean came over, Nolan would drag him to his room, eager to learn new hacking techniques, and wouldn't let him leave until he'd absorbed every bit of knowledge.
Nancy would sigh to Elizabeth. "Dean is great in every way, but he likes men."
Elizabeth would say to Nancy, "Mom, if he liked women, I wouldn't let him come and go so freely in our home. Don't forget, I'm still not divorced."
Nancy had come to terms with it. "You're right, you don't have to get married. As long as you're happy."
Elizabeth and Dean then became "besties."
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