Page 140 of Under Construction

Mr. Lancaster's face crumples with what looks like embarrassment. "I am so ashamed, Mr. Kim. This..." He breaks off, shaking his head.

"This what?"

"It's my son." Mr. Lancaster's voice drops. "This is his signature move. Seattle wasn't his first time, but I thought..."He studies Dennis's face intently. "Please tell me you're not emotionally involved with him."

Dennis's mouth goes dry. The blood drains from his face.

"You are." Mr. Lancaster says quietly. "My son, Christopher Lancaster—or 'Just Chris' as he calls himself now. He hasn't used our name since I tried to intervene last time. For his own good."

"What are you talking about?" Dennis's voice comes out thin.

"He has a pattern. Gets close to people in positions of influence, usually heirs of industry leaders. Makes them fall in love with him. Then systematically destroys everything they care about until they're dependent on him." Mr. Lancaster's voice carries years of pain. "It's part of his... condition. He refuses to acknowledge he needs help."

Dennis's mind spins. Chris's mysterious absences. The city hall woman. His constant anxiety. The phone calls.

"In Seattle, he nearly ruined a prominent developer's son. I managed to intervene in time, told the young man everything. Had to buy out his shares to contain the damage." Mr. Lancaster pulls out his phone. "You can speak to him yourself if you don't believe me. I have his contact information."

"No—" The word catches in Dennis's throat.

“Never with another man… never been with a man before you.”

How could it be?

"Ever since his mother died, he’s blamed me. He's been... fixated on destroying father figures, their companies, their legacies. I thought therapy had helped, but—" Mr. Lancasterstops himself. "I'm so sorry. You're not to blame. You're exactly the type he targets—talented, trusting, with something to destroy."

"Face it princess, you need me. Your whole project needs me. Without my fixes, your sustainable dream would collapse faster than your daddy's faith in your abilities."

Itcan’tbe.

"Stop talking." Dennis thinks he might puke. “P—please.”

Mr. Lancaster sighs, then nods. "I know this isn't the right time." He pulls out a business card. "But my offer to help stands. Call me if you need anything."

He squeezes Dennis's shoulder before walking away.

“Could fuck my baby princess stupid every day until you're so spoiled you forget anyone else exists. Until you're ruined for anyone but me."

Can it?

Dennis's phone shows unread messages from Chris. He deletes them without looking.

Somehow he makes it home. As he fumbles with the door, another message preview appears:

Please Dennis, let me explain...

He deletes the entire chat. When his apartment door closes behind him, his legs give out. The betrayal cuts deeper than the exhaustion, than the stress, than watching his dreams burn.

It’s over. Everything’s gone.

Dennis’s heart splinters. Now he knows he truly has nothing left.

43Shattered Trust

Dennis wakes to a sting in his arm. He turns his head to look at the needle in the crook of his elbow. An IV line snakes down to a bag hanging beside his bed. Through his open bedroom door, the scent of sesame oil and the clatter of pans drift in from his kitchen.

His grunt echoes through the apartment as he sits up, carefully removing the needle. His phone shows a full day has passed, screen crowded with messages and missed calls. He can't deal with those yet.

As he approaches the kitchen, his mother's voice carries over the sizzling: "And if you add sesame seeds it will make awhooooolelot of difference. Dennis, darling!" She drops her spatula with a clatter, rushing to him.

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