Chapter 7

[Homelander's POV]

I looked at the green lawn with deep thought as I sat at the front door of the two-story house.

I contemplated myself as I looked at the grass and tried not to hear the moaning sounds coming from inside the house.

This awkward situation disrupted my plans, making me momentarily forget them.

I got Ryan's schedule from Madelyn and timed my visit so Rebecca would be alone.

However, a complete idiot would show up unexpectedly.

A child might not understand much, but he would definitely pick up on his mother's bad mood.

It was better to coordinate everything without the child's presence in advance to avoid any awkward moments later.

Who could have guessed that a lonely woman without sex for eight years would be engaging in sex at that exact moment?

I certainly didn't.

It was a complete surprise to me when I saw the scene through the walls.

There she was, seductively squirming on the bed, not only not losing her beauty but even becoming more alluring.

Perhaps it was my own arousal speaking, but in some ways, I could understand Homelander.

I don't mean forcing someone to have sex with me but still.

I decided to leave them alone and not spy on her as I turned away.

I would feel at least uncomfortable if someone were watching me in such a situation.

So, I flew slowly and smoothly toward the next house where a tutor was teaching the boy.

Rebecca had a car available that took about ten minutes to drive.

Sitting on the grass, I watched with interest as Ryan took his lessons.

He was beautiful when he inherited the best features from his parents.

Ryan's upbringing was good, but he was almost too obedient.

The teacher was quite competent. In fact, she seemed to be trying to form a bond with Ryan based on her behavior.

"How cliché."

I said, rolling my eyes at Vought's obvious scheme.

It was clear that in a few years, they planned to somehow get rid of Rebecca and replace her with a teacher who resembled her.

Ryan would be watched by a loyal Vought worker at some point, and that's when they would start teaching him all the superhero stuff.

"All brilliant plans are simple."

I sighed in frustration.

Rebecca probably had no idea that she would soon be disposed of. She wasn't stupid, just too trusting of the wrong people.

...

[3rd POV]

The knock on the door caught Becca by surprise as she had just stepped out of the shower a few minutes ago.

She hadn't even had time to dry her hair, but she went downstairs anyway.

It was unclear why she was being disturbed, but Vought's employee always called before bothering her.

She didn't worry too much, thinking it might be something urgent.

She opened the door and froze momentarily, frowning as she didn't recognize the man standing before her as one of Vought's employees.

At least, she hadn't seen any blond men in glasses among them especially not without a uniform.

"Hello."

Rebecca said it suspiciously, looking at his face but failing to recognize him.

"Hello, Rebecca. Long time no see."

John smiled, and Rebecca stepped back a few steps, staring at the guest in shock.

She recognized him by his voice, and what she had feared and seen in her worst nightmares had become a reality.

Becca didn't know what to do, but it was clear that no one could tell Homelander what to do, especially when it concerned him personally.

Homelander calmly entered the house and looked around with interest, taking her actions as an invitation.

He chuckled softly, probably noticing the hidden cameras with his X-ray vision, and then turned his gaze back to her.

"What are you doing here?"

That was all she could manage to squeeze out at that moment.

"And what do you think?"

He smiled, removing his glasses.

"I decided to visit my son, whom I recently learned about."

"He's not your son."

Becca said it with even greater panic.

"Really? Perhaps we should do a paternity test then?"

Homelander chuckled, walking into the living room.

"That was a rhetorical question."

"I already understood."

Becca replied, glaring at his back with hatred.

She took a deep breath, tried to get her thoughts in order, and then shut the door that had been left open.

It was unclear if Vought knew about this and what they would do about it, but she had little hope for them in this situation.

After standing by the door for a few seconds, she followed him.

It didn't make sense to run away when the person after you could fly as fast as a military jet.

Seeing him calmly seated on the couch, she sat on the other side, waiting for him to speak.

"It's nice here."

He decided to break the silence.

"I won't give him up."

Becca declared, making her stance clear.

"And I didn't say I was going to take him."

Homelander sighed, looking directly into her eyes.

"I have no right to take him from you, as I am essentially a nobody for him."

"But then..."

She furrowed her brow, silencing her with a single glance.

"However, he is my son, and I have the right to see him at least once a day to get to know him better, and you will agree to that. Is that clear?"

"He's just a simple boy,"

Becca said it with a trembling voice instead of answering his question.

"We both know that's not true."

He sighed, rolling his eyes.

"And you're very bad at lying. So, what now?"

"Alright."

She managed to say.

"Excellent."

He clapped his hands on his knees and got up from the couch, but he suddenly stopped and looked at her.

"By the way, you smell very nice. Is that something floral?"

"You disgust me."

She frowned, shuddering at the unpleasant feeling in his words.

"We'll see each other."

Homelander shrugged and, putting his glasses back on, headed for the door.

Becca needed time to process what had happened, and he was more than happy to give it to her.

...

After a couple of hours, she finally gathered herself together just in time to pick up Ryan from his tutor.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped outside, freezing in place.

"Hello again, Rebecca."

Homelander smiled, putting his phone away.

"You've been here the whole time?"

She asked while frowning.

"Yes, I need to get to know my son."

He answered calmly, taking a few steps closer to her.

"This isn't the best time, Homelander."

Becca sighed.

"Just John will do."

He requested.

"I'm Homelander only when I'm wearing the cape."

"Got it... John."

He said it with frustration.

"Please, not now."

"Rebecca, do you really think my time is unlimited?"

John replied condescendingly.

"Today, I'm almost completely free, but not tomorrow."

"Alright, get in the car."

Becca said, barely suppressing a heavy sigh, as she headed towards the jeep and got behind the wheel.

John did not object and settled into the passenger seat.

"Funny, I haven't been in a car for over ten years."

John smirked, looking around.

"It's so cramped in here."

"I don't want to talk to you."

Becca said it firmly, gripping the steering wheel.

"Don't act like we're friends."

"We'll have to, Rebecca, if we want to get along and avoid arguing over trivial matters in front of the child."

"You raped me. We can't be friends."

Becca said, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Oh really?"

John smirked, causing her to snap her head in his direction, and her outrage was noticeable.

"That was a deal, much like the ones you made with various companies when you were the director. So it was mutual."

"Is that how you saw it?"

She glared at him with anger.

"Rebecca, let me be honest with you."

John said, looking at her seriously.

"I didn't force you. You came to me willingly. You had a choice—either your career or your husband. And we both know which one you chose."

"Don't act like you know me."

Becca hissed through her teeth.

"And don't pretend to be an angel in the flesh. Not only did you choose the company then, but you did so afterward too."

He said, leaning back in his seat with a smirk.

"When you left your husband and disappeared without a trace, and where are you now?"

"That's different."

Becca muttered when she realized she was losing this argument.

"Of course."

John replied with clear sarcasm and a smile on his lips.

Without responding further, Becca started the car and drove towards her son.

She sank into her thoughts to avoid looking at the person she didn't want to be with.

She felt bad when she realized she was just as guilty as him if not more so.

Keeping her husband in the dark about her condition, cheating on him, and having a child with someone else.

Too much depended on Becca's decisions, like cheating on her husband and running away into her own personal prison.

Knowing that Homelander himself had laid all this out for her… it only made things worse.

Lost in thought, she didn't notice she had already arrived at the intended address.

After parking, Rebecca watched as her son dashed out of the house and quickly jumped into the back seat.

"Hello."

Ryan greeted the unfamiliar man politely, looking at his mother with a question in his eyes.

"Sweetie... this is your father."

She introduced the stranger to her son with a little enthusiasm.

"Well, hello, Ryan. You can't imagine how happy I am to meet you."

John smiled.

"My name is John."

John's smile widened as the child's eyes glowed with a red light.

Rebecca only pressed her lips together and quickly forced a smile, trying not to displease the superhero.