Chapter 2
Before I could finish explaining, Ivy abruptly cut me off, tugging at Mason’s arm while whining in that sickeningly sweet voice she always used when manipulating him: “Mason, I can give you a son! My illness is completely gone-I could give you an entire soccer team of boys if you wanted.”
Mason tenderly pinched her nose, chuckling. “You’re just recovering, darling. I couldn’t possibly put you through that. You just focus on being my precious princess.”
Then he turned to me with contempt. “Natalie, for the past five years, Ivy’s been fighting for her life in hospitals overseas, suffering every single day. Meanwhile, all you did was compete with her, constantly bitter and resentful, without showing an ounce of concern. Someone as cold-hearted and cruel as you doesn’t deserve a second thought, yet pure-hearted Ivy still thinks about you, misses you, and even urged me to come find you. You’re completely unworthy of
her kindness.”
Hearing his accusations, I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out of my head.
Over these five years, my email inbox regularly received Ivy’s vacation photos and intimate videos.
In those pictures, she looked healthy and robust-not sick at all.
I couldn’t be bothered arguing with them. I simply waved my recycling tongs in front of me.
Ivy jumped back with a high-pitched scream.
Mason looked me up and down, covering his nose and retreating with disgust. “Just look at how pathetic you are now. You reek like a dumpster on a hot day-no better than some homeless bum on the street. What’s the point of this five-year act? In the end, here you are crawling back to me like a dog anyway.”
“Don’t think you can show up with a kid and trap me into remarrying you. The moment you had your little tantrum and blocked my number, I was done with you for good.”
His harsh tone frightened my daughter, who buried herself in my arms, crying loudly.
Mason’s expression softened as he reached out to hold her. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’m your daddy. Come home with me-don’t stay with this crazy woman.”
My daughter’s cries only intensified in response. “Go away! You’re not my daddy! You’re a bad man who hurts my mommy. I hate you!”
Mason’s face darkened at this public humiliation. His gaze turned cold. “What kind of mother are you? She has no manners at all. Five years with you and she’s picked up nothing but bad habits! The Wilde family won’t acknowledge this ill-mannered little brat. Don’t show your face around me until you’ve taught her
some respect.”
No mother can tolerate her child being insulted.
I clenched my fists and said coldly, “You’re delusional. This child isn’t yours. She has nothing to do with you.”
Mason froze for a moment.
Then he laughed arrogantly. “Natalie, you’ve always been stubborn. I hate that pretentious act of yours-it’s disgusting.”
“Even now, you’re still putting on a show? If you’re not going to swallow your pride and beg me, then take this little bastard and get out of my sight!”
Mason condescendingly pulled out some cash from his pocket and slapped it against my face. “Looking at how poorly dressed you both are, take this money and buy some decent clothes. Don’t embarrass me.”
With that, he walked away with Ivy hanging on his arm.
I looked down at my orange recycling vest covered in dust, cursing his superficial judgment.
What Mason didn’t know was that the t-shirt underneath was a custom piece by top designer Krena, worth $150,000.
My daughter’s seemingly ordinary cartoon jacket was equally expensive.
And more importantly, I had remarried and had another child four years ago. Reconciliation with him was impossible.
Just then, my phone rang with a special ringtone. I composed myself before answering. A deep, husky male voice came through: “Honey, you must be tired from the inspection. I’ve arranged a rest area nearby-take our daughter there and get some rest.”
“I miss you so much. My work finishes this afternoon, and I can’t wait to see you!”
My normally dignified, cool headed husband was whining like a puppy on the phone, filling my heart with warmth.
After hanging up. I took my daughter’s hand and walked toward the rest area. Just as we reached the door, I heard intimate, heavy breathing coming from
inside.
