The day before the wedding, Betty was on the phone with Alex, her voice filled with excitement. ''So, you're saying that Aunt Grace is under arrest?'' she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Alex's voice was firm at the other end of the line. ''Yes, you're right, Betty. Your plan worked. Thank you so much.''
Betty's face lit up with a smile. ''You're welcome, Alex. And remember to come to Sis's wedding. My mom misses Aunt Fiona. She wanted to meet Aunt Fiona.''
Alex agreed, and they chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Meanwhile, in Mike's dorm room, he was packing his bags, his mind filled with excitement. ''I'm so happy that Bro's engagement is done. I can go home tomorrow,'' he thought to himself.
Just then, his roommate Jack walked in, a curious expression on his face. ''Mike, did you hear that your mother was arrested and is at the police station?'' he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Mike's eyes widened in shock. ''What? But why?'' he asked, his mind racing with questions.
Jack's face was serious. ''I heard that your mom tried to kill your father and your brother, and also your father's ex-wife, Mrs. Fiona.''
Mike's eyes refused to believe it. ''But my mom can't do that,'' he protested, his voice filled with denial.
Jack's expression was sympathetic. ''Hey, Mike, you can meet your mother and then ask her if you have any questions.''
Mike's face set in determination. ''You're right. I can meet mom tomorrow.''
The next day, Mike walked into the police station, his heart pounding in his chest. He was about to face the truth about his mother's actions, and he wasn't sure if he was ready.
Mike stood in front of his mother, Grace, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness. ''Mom, why did you try to kill dad, bro, and aunt Fiona?'' he asked, his voice firm but trembling.
Grace looked up at him, her eyes pleading. ''Mike, I did this for you. If that bastard is dead, then you're the only son of Daniel and the heir to the company. We can live happily ever after,'' she said, her voice laced with deceit.
Mike shook his head, his face set in disgust. ''Mom, I don't want any company. I just want a happy family,'' he said, his voice filled with longing.
Grace sneered, her eyes flashing with anger. ''What? Don't you want money?'' she spat, her voice venomous.
Mike's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. ''No, mom, I never loved money. I only love my dad, bro, and you,'' he said, his voice firm.
Grace's face softened, her eyes filled with a fake sweetness. ''Listen, Mike. Take this,'' she said, offering him a vial of poison.
Mike's eyes widened in horror, his heart racing with fear. ''What is this, mom?'' he asked, his voice trembling.
Grace's face hardened, her eyes cold and calculating. ''This is poison. Please give it to Daniel, Fiona, and Alex,'' she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Mike's face set in determination, his eyes flashing with anger. ''I'm not giving poison to anyone,'' he said, his voice firm.
Grace's face twisted in rage, her eyes blazing with anger. ''But why, Mike?'' she spat, her voice venomous.
Mike's eyes filled with tears, his voice cracking with emotion. ''Because I'm grateful to dad and brother. They treat me like their own, even though I'm not their biological son. But you, mom, you only loved yourself. You never knew what I loved or hated. You only bullied my brother and abused him, but he never tried to hurt me, not even once. He treats me like his own brother, even though I'm just his step-brother. Dad always treats you like his wife and respects you. But you tried to kill his family. How can you be so cruel, mom? Dad and brother are good people, but you tried to kill them,'' he said, his voice filled with pain and sadness.
Grace's face contorted in anger, her eyes flashing with rage. ''Mike, how can you take their side? Don't you love me the most?'' she spat, her voice venomous.
Mike's eyes filled with tears, his voice barely above a whisper. ''I don't love you, mom. I hate you ! You never loved me. You only loved yourself,'' he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Grace's face fell, her eyes filling with tears. ''How can this happen?'' she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Mike turned and walked away, leaving Grace fallen and defeated. He knew that he would never be able to forgive her for her cruel actions. From now on, he will only have a dad and a brother. Grace was no longer his mom.
Mike stood in the grand foyer of the mansion, his eyes cast downward in shame. ''Sorry, Aunt Fiona,'' he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ''I apologize to you all on behalf of my mother.''
Fiona's face was filled with kindness and understanding. ''You don't have to, Mike,'' she said, her voice soft. ''This is not your fault.''
Mike's eyes welled up with tears. ''But Aunt, because of my mom, you all have to suffer,'' he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Fiona's face was firm. ''This is not your fault, Mike. If you really want to make up for your mother's actions, then you can do one thing.''
Mike's eyes locked onto hers, his face filled with determination. ''Yes, Aunt, I can do whatever you ask.''
Fiona's face was warm with a smile. ''Then can you become my son and live with us for the rest of your life?''
Mike's eyes widened in surprise, his face filled with hope. ''What, Aunt? But don't you hate me because I am an illegitimate child?''
Fiona's face was filled with love and acceptance. ''No, I never hated you, Mike. And I heard from Alex that you like painting, and you want a teacher to learn to paint.''
Mike's face lit up with excitement. ''Yes, Aunt, I want a teacher.''
Fiona's eyes sparkled with delight. ''Then can I teach you to paint? Because we have the same hobby.''
Mike's face was filled with joy. ''Do you also have a hobby of painting?''
Fiona nodded, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. ''Yes, actually I am a painter.''
Mike's face was filled with gratitude. ''Of course, Aunt, you can teach me to paint.''
Fiona's face was warm with a smile. ''Okay. And can you call me Mom from now on? Because you are my son from now on.''
Mike's face turned bright red with embarrassment, but he nodded eagerly. ''Alright, M... Mom,'' he stuttered.
Just then, Andrew, Daniel, and Alex walked into the foyer, their faces filled with curiosity. ''What is happening here?'' Daniel asked, his eyes locked onto Mike with concern.
Mike bowed his head in shame. ''Sorry, Dad and bro, because my mom, you both have to suffer.''
Daniel's face was firm. ''Son, this is not your fault. Don't apologize.''
Alex nodded in agreement. ''Dad is right, Mike. You don't have to apologize on behalf of Aunt Grace.''
Mike's face was filled with gratitude. ''Thank you, Dad and brother.''
Andrew's face was warm with a smile. ''My name is Andrew, and I am CEO of K company. Elder son of the Wilson family. From today onward, I am also your big brother.''
Mike's face was filled with joy. ''Alright.''
Fiona's face was warm with a smile. ''Alright, now is time for dinner, guys. Let's go.''
The family walked into the dining room, their faces filled with laughter and conversation. Mike felt a sense of belonging he had never felt before. He knew that he had found a new family, one that would love and accept him for who he was.