Chapter 119
“You owe Matty an apology, Kelly,” Sharon said.
But Kelly didn’t even glance at Sharon. Instead, she turned quickly to Carter, her voice laced with urgency.
“Carter, I didn’t. I swear I didn’t push him…”
Carter’s eyes flickered, and just as he was about to speak, Matty’s voice cut in first. “Sharon, let it go. Don’t ruin your relationship with Kelly and Theo’s daddy because of me. I wanted to save Theo. No matter how badly I got hurt, it was my own
choice.
“Daddy says we shouldn’t use our injuries or sacrifices to morally guilt others. And Kelly is a grown-up. Grown-ups don’t have to apologize to kids, right?”
Coming from a five-year-old, the words carried a sting of irony that couldn’t be ignored.
Everyone present, aside from Matty, was someone close to Theo. And Kelly had always put on the face of someone wholly devoted to him. Yet now, the person who had risked his life to save Theo was standing there, wounded and wronged-receiving neither thanks nor an ounce of kindness from Kelly or Carter.
It was laughable. Ridiculous.
Even if Carter had the urge to take Kelly’s side, there was no way he could push back against a child.
After a long, quiet pause, he finally spoke. “Kelly, apologize to him.”
Kelly stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief.
If she chose to apologize on her own, that was one thing. But being told to? By Carter? That was something else entirely.
Her eyes reddened.
“Carter, I really didn’t…”
Carter cut her off. “Matty saved Theo’s life. For Theo’s sake, thanking Matty-or apologizing-is the least we can do.”
He looked at her, gaze steady and quiet. “Or is it that, even for Theo, you can’t bring yourself to say a single word?”
Kelly’s expression wavered. The gentle, pitiful mask she wore almost cracked.
And then it hit her-this scene felt all too familiar.
Three pairs of eyes watching her with quiet judgment…
Wasn’t this her usual tactic?
Her eyes snapped to Matty.
This kid… was playing her own game against her.
When Matty noticed her gaze, he looked up, blinking innocently. “Sharon, it’s okay, really. I’m fine.”
And now, Kelly finally understood how Sharon must have felt.
Wronged. Stifled. Beaten-by a five-year-old.
Bitterness welled up in her chest, but she forced herself to wear a look of remorse.
“Matty, I’m sorry. I was too panicked at the time… That’s why I pushed you. Please don’t hold it against me, okay?”
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Matty nodded with understanding. “I know you didn’t mean to, Kelly. I don’t blame you.”
A soft ding sounded from the elevator down the hall as the doors slid open.
Two figures came rushing out.
“How’s Theo? Is he alright?”
It was Madeline and Denise,
Denise had gotten the call about Theo’s accident and immediately contacted Madeline. Upon hearing the news, she had rushed over in a panic.
“He’s still in emergency care,” Carter answered. “But for now, he’s not in any life-threatening danger.”
Madeline let out a breath of relief.
Then she turned and saw Sharon sitting quietly nearby. Her expression hardened in an instant.
She strode over, raised her hand, and slapped Sharon hard across the face.
“Is this how you take care of Theo?!”
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