Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

The hardest people to save, as Paul had learned through years in the business world, were those addicted to gambling or drugs. He had witnessed countless lives ruined by these vices.

Paul had helped before, but each time only led to another plea for assistance. Just covering Zachary's last gambling debt had nearly drained all of his savings. Now, his priorities were solely Kimberly and Eric, their family. Over the years, he'd quietly given a lot to Genevieve, but it was never acknowledged.

Back then, Paul had been willing to take on the responsibilities of being a father. But Genevieve had dismissed him, deeming his status in the Montgomery family inferior to Magnus. She had chosen to take their children and seek a future with Magnus instead. Still, Paul had done his duty in his own way. Even when he left the family with nothing, he made sure to secure two houses for the children.

Looking back, Paul had done much for the two children, but what had they ever done in return? Before learning the truth about their parentage, their indifference could be excused. But after knowing, they still treated him as a stranger. Yes, Genevieve's life might have been affected by his presence, but he was still their father.

When Paul was in a car accident, neither Ivy nor Zachary had come to see him-not even to make a single phone call. Yet when he handed over the houses, they had readily accepted them. Paul had come to terms with the reality. Instead of pouring his efforts into ungrateful children, he chose to care for someone who truly valued him- Eric.

Eric wasn't his biological son, but when Paul was ill, Eric had stayed by his side and cared for him. Blood relations meant little in the absence of loyalty and kindness. Even a simple call from Ivy or Zachary during his hospital stay would have warmed his heart. But now, sitting across from Ivy, he saw only entitlement in her demeanor.

"Mr. Montgomery, five million dollars is nothing to you! How can you say you can't help? If you don't, Zach is finished!" Ivy's voice rose in frustration.

Her attitude only deepened Paul's disappointment. Even now, all she could do was demand. If only she had shown even a sliver of affection for him as her father, instead of treating him as a resource, he might have felt differently.

"Money doesn't come out of thin air. Those two houses I gave you and Zachary? They're worth millions

as your father, but I've

Kimberly, even if she doesn't say it outright. I've failed many people in this life, but I've paid my dues. The only one I owe

her voice trembling with anger. "Our blood runs through your veins. Now that we're in

never meant to have a

bowl onto the table. "If you don't want us as your children, we don't want you as our father either, you shameless man!" She stormed out,

and sighed, looking apologetically at Kimberly. "Her little princess

the years, Paul had stayed out of Ivy and Zachary's lives, but he occasionally kept tabs on them. Genevieve had also shared updates from time

didn't you help her? Zachary is your son,

the divorce. The only thing I kept were those two houses, and I gave

"We're remarried now. Half of my assets are yours, too. If

reached for her hand and spoke softly. "Kim, I'll be honest with you. I've been supporting them in secret all these years, watching over the kids from a distance. I couldn't be there for them, so I contributed in other ways. I didn't

"If this were the past, I might have blown up at you, but I've changed. After everything we've been through, I'm not the same person anymore. You've been so

a relief," Paul said with a smile. "I know who those kids are. Once someone is consumed by gambling, it's almost impossible to quit. As I told Ivy, I've already done my part. When I was in the hospital, it was Eric and Emily who stayed by

and Zachary didn't even call. They've never treated me like