He Faked His Death to Test My Mother Chapter 01

He Faked His Death to Test My Mother Chapter 01

The day SAT scores came out, reporters found me by Willow River, fishing for a body.

They asked who I should thank more—my dad or my mom—when my dead father showed up.

Nathan Ellis stepped out of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, looking down at me. “Your mom stayed single for ten years, and you got the highest SAT score in the country. You both passed my test.”

I held my fishing pole and stared at him, lost.

Turns out, ten years ago, his adopted sister Vanessa Ellis suggested, “Why don’t you fake your own death to test her? Pretend you went bankrupt and jumped. If she stays loyal for ten years, then you’ll know she’s not just after your money.”

Nathan laughed. “When we were dating, I pretended to be broke for three years. She worked five jobs a day to keep us afloat. She was completely obsessed with me. Ten years? Twenty? She’d stay loyal till the day she dies.”

Turns out me who got the highest SAT score in the country is a billionaire’s daughter. Stock prices soared. The whole country was waiting for the heartwarming moment when dad and daughter would cry in each other’s arms.

Nathan looked around. “Where’s your mom? I’m here to take you both home.”

“She’s dead.”

The fishing pole snapped in my palm. I looked up, each word deliberate. “Three years ago, she worked herself ragged trying to buy you the nicest plot in the cemetery. And then she died in this river.”

***

His pupils trembled.

Reporters gasped all around. Shutters clicked like crazy.

Nathan cared most about the Ellis Group’s reputation. He snapped back fast. “Elena, people are watching. That’s not how you joke.”

“Look, I faked the bankruptcy, but I still left her an inheritance. How could she not afford a grave?”

I was completely lost. When Dad “died,” Vanessa kicked us out, saying he owed a fortune and made us sell everything. What inheritance?

Before I could speak, Vanessa grabbed my arm.

“Elena, I can’t believe you and your mom blew through all that money. But making up something like this just to guilt-trip your dad? That’s way too far.”

She turned to Nathan, looking helpless. “See, Nathan? I told you. Clara’s just being dramatic, trying to mess with you. You wouldn’t believe me before—‘She’s so innocent and pure.’”

“It’s hard to go back to being poor once you’ve lived the good life. She got used to the Ellis luxury. She can’t handle hardship anymore.”

Nathan nodded, convinced. “You’re right. Women know women best. I was smart to listen to you and block her promotion.”

“Honestly, she only got ahead because of the Ellis name anyway. She needed to learn some humility.”

My eyes widened. Mom had poured every ounce of effort into earning that promotion—first to arrive, last to leave, always working holidays.

That day she hugged me, so happy, saying she got a raise, and we’d never have to live in that leaky basement again.

Then the next day, they fired her.

The company falsely accused her of breaking equipment and demanded a huge payment.

Five years of her hard-earned wages.

Thinking about Mom dying of lung cancer from overwork, my eyes burned. “Why? Why did you do that to us?”

“If you hadn’t blocked her, she wouldn’t have worked five jobs and died right here!”

My throat tightened painfully, my chest ached fiercely, every breath brought a bitter burning sensation.

“She was your family too! How come Vanessa and her daughter get designer clothes and trips abroad, while Mom and I just wanted a normal life?”

Nathan frowned. “Vanessa was raised in the Ellis household, spoiled. You can’t compare yourself to her.”

“I never noticed how petty and jealous your mom was.”

Reporters kept filming. The flash made him squint.

“Enough. Tell your mom to come out. Stop this nonsense. I’ll apologize to her, okay? Too much drama and it’s not funny anymore.”