This Play, How Much Truth and How Much Falsehood?

"Who is it!!!"

Billy Butcher's reaction was lightning-fast; his gun barrel was instantly locked onto the bridgehead where the strange noise had originated.

If not for the fact that Becca was behind him and the enemy's status remained unknown, he would have undoubtedly taken the initiative to strike and resolve the trouble.

Behind the tree, Ryan slightly adjusted his expression.

What kind of experience should it be to be caught in the act by one's own biological son?

How was his mother Becca feeling—was she embarrassed?

He didn't consider any of these questions; he only thought about what kind of reaction an eight-year-old child should have upon stumbling across such a scene.

Furthermore, he needed to let his mother, Becca, know a few things, and it would be best if he could provoke Billy as well.

Therefore, his words should be framed accordingly.

"Oh my god, it's, it's Ryan..."

Becca was in a state of panic.

The person who walked out from behind the tree was actually her son, Ryan—this was something she had never expected in a million years.

The moment the noise occurred, she had even prepared for the worst: coming face-to-face with Homelander!

"Ryan, you, you have to let Mom explain."

Ryan's expression appeared extremely confused. He first cast a look of surprise and bewilderment at Billy Butcher, then turned his gaze toward his mother, Becca.

"Mom, who is he?"

"Why, why are you doing this? Dad will be sad."

While the birds and the bees could be explained via the internet, everyone present knew exactly who the "Dad" in that final sentence referred to.

It was definitely not Billy Butcher.

Butcher's composure shattered instantly.

Becca's panic turned into sorrow.

She pulled Billy close and said to her son in pain, "Ryan, things aren't what you think. Homelander, he, he..."

It was simply too humiliating; Becca choked up, unable to continue.

Ryan looked astonished: "Homelander isn't my dad?"

"He is."

"Then, shouldn't Mom and Dad be together? That's how it always happens in the movies, right?"

"Listen here, kid!"

At this moment, Billy stepped forward.

He patted his weeping wife's shoulder in a comforting manner and then said, "Ryan, your mother and I are the true, legal couple. As for your father, Homelander, he is nothing more than an evil, despicable, hypocritical, and worthless scoundrel."

"No, calling him a scoundrel is a compliment. He's a piece of shit who belongs in hell."

Ryan frowned, wearing an expression of deep thought.

Taking advantage of this gap, Billy thoughtfully picked up the shirt his wife had dropped on the ground and draped it over her.

Becca put on her clothes and walked over, crouching down in front of her son: "Ryan, Mom doesn't want to lie to you. Homelander is indeed your father, but he is, above all, a bad person."

"He isn't the person you see him to be."

"But Mom, Dad is very good to me."

Becca's tears flowed again, and she shook her head: "That's only what he wants you to see. Trust Mom, Mom would never lie to you."

Ryan pursed his lips and remained silent.

Billy walked over as well, standing beside the mother and son with his arms crossed: "Ryan, listen to your mother. Homelander did some very bad things to her back then; you'll understand when you're older."

"Yes, Ryan, you'll understand later."

Becca composed herself: "Alright, since Ryan is here, let's leave immediately. If we stay out too long, Homelander will find out."

"I'll go get the car."

Billy said this and turned to leave.

Becca, believing she had successfully persuaded her son, stood up simultaneously, intending to take Ryan with her.

However, Ryan's entire body remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.

"Ryan?"

Ryan looked up, staring straight at his mother, Becca, and said word for word: "But Mom, you've been lying to me the whole time!"

"What?!"

"I said, you've been lying to me the whole time!"

Ryan's gaze was not filled with hatred; he was simply acting out the part of a naturally intelligent child who no longer needed to hide his true self.

He spoke calmly, "Mom, I used to think the world was just like this—that it was supposed to be doing the same things and seeing the same people every day, getting shots and blood drawn every month, and staying exactly the same year after year."

"But ever since Dad arrived, I've realized the world isn't like that at all."

"I've seen the real world."

"No, that's not it!!"

Becca completely broke down; this was exactly what she had been afraid of.

She hadn't even had the chance to tell her son, yet Ryan had already discovered the truth on his own.

"Ryan, Mom, I..."

"Mom!"

Ryan interrupted, "I know you're trying to protect me. You've always known I'm actually smart; I understand."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Billy the Butcher, "You say this man is your husband, but he isn't my father. I can't go with you."

"My father is Homelander!"

"And Mom, you both keep saying Homelander is a bad person, but what I see is a good father who loves and cares for me just like you do, even if he says things he doesn't mean."

"If..."

Ryan said sternly, "If Dad is truly doing bad things, then I will definitely stop him, but I will always believe that the real him isn't like that."

"No, Ryan, don't try to stop him. You'll get hurt by him; he isn't worth it! Listen to Mom, let's leave here together."

"Mom!"

Ryan looked disappointed and a little confused, "You once told me that if you do something wrong, you must correct it immediately."

"As long as I turn over a new leaf, I'm still a good boy."

"But... why is it that when it comes to Dad, you won't let him change?"

The greatest tragedy of Homelander was that no one had ever taught him what was right and what was wrong from a young age.

Even his superpowers had been self-awakened and self-trained through cruel experiments.

Becca staggered backward as if she had been struck.

She wanted to tell Ryan that Homelander was beyond saving, that he was a terrifying monster devoid of humanity, selfish and cold to the core.

But in that moment, she realized with clarity that she could no longer use words to persuade Ryan.

So, she turned around and looked at Billy with pleading eyes.

Billy understood, stepped forward with long strides, and reached out to grab Ryan, "Kid, the nonsense you're spouting makes no sense. The world of adults isn't something you can see through yet."

"Be a good boy and come with us...?"

"Bang—"

With a slight crack of air, Ryan soared into the air the moment Billy's hand was about to grab him.

Billy was stunned on the spot, "Right, I should have thought of it sooner. How could Homelander's son not have those same superpowers?"

"Ryan!!"

Ryan rose slowly, "Mom, Dad is actually very pitiful. He's all alone. If I leave with you, he'll be sad."

"Mom, you still have your husband to keep you company, and I'm still the Ryan who loves you, but I want to try!"

Try what?

Billy and Becca understood.

Ryan was saying that if Homelander was truly a bad person, he would attempt to change him.

But there was still one person on the scene who did not understand the unspoken meaning behind his words.