Chapter 107
The sound of Theo’s irritated voice still echoed in the conference room.
“She’s just a housewife who doesn’t have a single useful skill. So she cooks a little-what’s so great about that? Even my housekeeper can do all that. If you think she’s so wonderful, then fine-take her. She can be your mom. Kelly is a hundred times. better than her anyway. I’d never want a mom that embarrassing.”
The teachers who had once thought Theo was a polite, well-mannered boy now began to reconsider. Their expressions shifted subtly, the look in their eyes toward him edged with unease.
Theo opened his mouth, as if to defend himself, but the hard truth played out in the video left him speechless. His face flushed red. All he could do was stand there, staring blankly at Sharon.
Sharon’s lashes lowered, her expression unreadable.
The video footage wobbled slightly, then cut off.
Silence dropped over the room like a curtain.
In that stillness, a flicker of excitement lit Kelly’s eyes.
Yes. This was what she wanted. The worse things became between Sharon and Theo-the deeper the divide-the more room
there would be for her.
Sharon turned off the projector. Her tone was quiet. “Since there’s nothing else on Matty’s phone, we’ll be leaving now.”
She took Matty’s hand and began walking toward the door.
The boy followed obediently, silent. His calm, too mature composure made the teachers’ hearts ache.
They watched the pair’s retreating backs in silence-one child motherless, the other rejected by her own husband and son. What a pitiful sight.
Just as Sharon and Matty reached the door, Carter’s voice rang out behind them. “Wait.”
Sharon stopped and turned, looking back. “Is there something else?”
–
Her face was calm-no anger, no sorrow- -as though none of this had anything to do with her.
Carter said, “Don’t you think those two videos were a little too much of a coincidence?”
“Coincidence?”
His gaze, sharp and steady, landed on Matty standing beside her.
“There were only two videos on his phone-and both just happened to paint Theo in the worst possible light. Especially that last one… It feels a lot like he was deliberately trying to mislead him.”
Sharon’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What are you trying to say? That Matty did it on purpose?”
Carter asked in return, “Isn’t it obvious?”
The moment the words left his mouth, every eye turned to him.
Sharon stared at him in disbelief. “Carter, are you seriously accusing a five-year-old child?”
His dark, cool eyes remained on Matty. “Have you really not noticed? Ever since he came into the picture, your relationship with Theo has only grown colder.”
Sensing Matty’s discomfort, Sharon stepped in front of him, shielding him from view.
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“Theo and I grew distant for reasons you should know perfectly well. You’re just too soft-hearted to let your precious Kelly take the blame, so instead, you’re pinning it on a child? Don’t you think that’s a little pathetic?”
“Pathetic?” Carter gave a soft laugh, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His smile was icy. “So now, even when Theo says he’s being bullied, you don’t believe him?”
“Not really,” Sharon said flatly. “After all, he’s already lied once, pretending I’m not his mother. If he hates Matty, spinning another lie or two wouldn’t be anything new.”
Carter’s gaze darkened, his eyes narrowing. “So in your mind, that’s what Theo is a liar?”
–
