Blurb：
When young Leo's reckless firecracker fun damages five luxury cars, his father Marcus Stone faces a family crisis. Eleanor's scorn and comparisons to her first love Julian Thorne push Marcus to his limits. Watch as Leo's admiration for Uncle Julian clashes with Marcus's quiet strength in this emotional family drama. Will Marcus reclaim his son's respect, or will Julian Thorne's influence tear them apart? Dive into a story of fatherhood, pride, and redemption where every choice matters. Featuring characters Leo, Marcus Stone, Eleanor, and Julian Thorne in a gripping tale of loyalty and legacy.Content：
During our holiday visit to my parents' remote country house, my son, Leo, got a little too carried away with some firecrackers.
He tossed one into an old, unused septic tank access, and the resulting explosion somehow managed to damage five luxury cars parked nearby.
When I told him he needed to apologize to the owners, he just rolled his eyes, utterly annoyed.
"I wish Uncle Julian was my dad! He's so cool, he'd never make me apologize!"
"Uncle Julian" was, of course, my wife Eleanor's first love, the one who got away.
When I called her, Eleanor was at a family gathering with Julian Thorne. Hearing about Leo's antics, she scoffed.
"Marcus Stone, it's just a few scratched up cars, a few thousand bucks. Is it really that big of a deal? It's just because you're broke and useless. Julian said he could handle it, no problem!"
I looked at the five million-dollar luxury cars, their fronts utterly mangled, and let out a cold laugh.
"Well, then you'd better tell him to come handle it!"
1
The moment I hung up, Leo puffed out his chest, completely full of himself.
"See? We still have to rely on Uncle Julian! If you were as capable as Mom says, none of this would be such a big fuss!"
Watching his arrogant, oblivious face, I almost wished I'd never had a son!
But then I saw his features, so similar to mine, and a wave of sadness washed over me.
When Leo was little, he used to be so sweet and obedient. Our family wasn't like this back then.
Everything changed three years ago, when Eleanor's first love, Julian Thorne, came back into her life. It was like Eleanor transformed into a completely different person.
She started leaving early and coming home late. Every conversation, no matter the topic, somehow circled back to Julian Thorne. And her disdain for me grew by the day.
"You've been working so hard for years, and you're still just a manager at your company. Look at Julian Thorne! He started his own business and now he's a huge CEO!"
"I hear he has connections in high places, too. He knows all the important people in the city, can get a word in with anyone. Who are you to compare? No talent, no connections!"
I remained silent, never telling Eleanor that it was *because* I chose to be with her, refusing an arranged marriage for a family alliance, that I was relegated to a department manager role.
I also never told her that her supposedly brilliant "first love" was mostly hot air, his biggest talent a silver tongue and a knack for exaggeration.
But even if I had, she would have just thought I was jealous.
Driven by her growing contempt for me, she started taking Leo along to spend more and more time with Julian.
Before long, Leo was calling Julian "Uncle Julian" every five minutes, his voice overflowing with a closeness he never showed me. Seeing him about to throw more firecrackers into the septic tank, I reached out, grabbed him, and held him tight.
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The End