Chapter 131
“You’re Theo’s mother,” Carter said, his voice dropping dangerously. “I don’t want to play dirty with you. But if you keep pushing, don’t expect me to honor our marriage vows anymore.”
Sharon didn’t flinch at Carter’s threatening glare. Instead, her lips curved into a smile.
“Interesting how just mentioning Kelly’s name makes you react like this. You can’t have your cake and eat it too, Carter. If you want to stay married? Fine. But from today onward, you cut all ties with Kelly-completely. No contact. No seeing her. Not even if she’s lying on her deathbed.”
A glacial darkness settled in Carter’s eyes, his jaw tightening.
“You’re really determined to go to war with me over this?”
Sharon’s response came cool and measured. “Seems we’re at an impasse. Let’s see who blinks first.”
She turned around and walked away.
This time, Carter didn’t stop her.
Sharon stopped paying attention to Theo’s hospitalization, and Carter stopped calling.
About a week later, when Matty came home from school, he told Sharon, “Sharon, Theo came to school today. Theo’s daddy and that bad lady brought him.”
Sharon was cooking in the kitchen, and at those words, her movements faltered slightly.
Before, she had occasionally tried to surprise Theo by suggesting to Carter that they pick up and drop off Theo together. Each time, Carter brushed her off with, “I’m busy. Go alone.”
Since Theo started kindergarten, Carter had never gone with her even once. Yet now, he went so often with Kelly.
Sure enough, it wasn’t that he was too busy. She just wasn’t the one he wanted to spend his time with.
Lately, Sharon had stopped taking Matty to and from school, simply because she didn’t want to see Carter, Theo, and Kelly
together.
Worried Matty might be upset, she cautiously asked if it was okay not to take him for a while.
Matty didn’t complain at all, simply agreed.
And even more thoughtfully said, “Sharon, I can just have the driver take me. You still have violin practice and taking care of me
-you must be exhausted. You need your rest.”
Matty’s thoughtfulness often made Sharon silently wish he were her biological son.
“Sharon,” Matty suddenly came to her side, hesitating but hopeful, “There’s a talent showcase at kindergarten this weekend… Dad’s still away on business, so he probably can’t make it… Would you come with me?”
Sharon looked down at him. “What kind of showcase is it?”
“The teacher said kids team up with their parents to play instruments, sing, or dance,” Matty said eagerly. “I didn’t join last time because there was no scoring for parent-child activities. But if I don’t join this time…”
His head drooped in disappointment. “I’ll definitely be ranked last for the semester.”
This elite kindergarten wasn’t like ordinary ones where kids just played all day and had a happy childhood.
1/2
These children were heirs of wealthy families-expected to excel from the cradle. Their curriculum was rigorous.
The kindergarten frequently held competitive events to foster excellence, and as a recent transfer, Matty was already playing catch-up.
If he skipped this, he’d definitely be at the bottom.
No child wanted to be last.
Sharon looked at the discouraged boy and gently patted his head, her voice soft. “Then we’re definitely going.”
21
