Chapter 144
Kelly’s frenzy broke-her senses snapping back with startling clarity.
She realized then: she’d lost control.
Back in the day, if Sharon had dared lay a hand on her, she could’ve shed a few tears, played the pitiful card, and both Carter and Theo would’ve leapt to her defense without question.
But this time, Matty’s sudden maneuver had caught her completely off guard. Then those slaps from Sharon-sharp, stinging, humiliating-had pushed her over the edge. In the rush of it all, she’d done something reckless, something she couldn’t take
back.
“My head… it hurts…” Kelly pressed her temples and blinked like someone just waking up. Her voice softened. “I’m sorry, Carter. I think I had another episode…”
Sharon let out a light laugh. “Kelly, you certainly have a lot of mysterious illnesses.”
Kelly, now fully composed, acted as if she hadn’t heard the biting sarcasm. She lowered her head and let a few tears slip silently
down her face.
“I’m sorry, Sharon. And Matty… I must’ve frightened you both.”
Xavier studied her, his tone laced with quiet amusement. “Kelly, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what just happened?”
Kelly offered a strained smile. “No… I remember. It’s just… sometimes I lose control of my emotions.” 2
“Oh?” Xavier raised a brow, feigning surprise. “So in addition to your terminal illness, you’ve got emotional issues too? My, Kelly, to be burdened with such a list of ailments and still apologize to my son are you sure that’s appropriate?”
–
“No, I was wrong just now.” Kelly stepped toward Matty. “Matty, I’m sorry. 1 was unwell and couldn’t control my emotions. That’s why I pushed you. Will you forgive me?”
She knew this routine well. Better to admit fault than explain-any excuse would only make things worse.
Even if it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Matty put on a gracious face. “Oh, so you’re sick. Then it’s okay. I forgive you.”
Sharon turned, her gaze falling on Theo. “And what about you, Theo?”
Theo hadn’t even begun to process everything with Kelly when Sharon called him out. He stiffened, turned his head sharply to the side, and refused to apologize.
Carter’s voice dropped, firm and low. “Theo.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong!” Theo’s eyes grew red with frustration. “He provoked me first! He said he was going to steal Mommy! He was trying to make me mad on purpose, and now I’m supposed to apologize to him?”
Sharon’s voice was flat. “He saved you, and you said he was trying to hurt you. Everyone saw what really happened, and you’re still lying. Theo, when did you become someone who twists the truth?”
‘So this is what happens,’ she thought. ‘Proximity to darkness stains even the brightest things.’
He’d been around Kelly too long. The Theo who never lied was starting to learn how.
His face crumpled. “You’re my mom. You don’t believe me, but you believe that bad kid instead?”
The accusation rippled through her, but the emotion passed quickly, settling back into calm.
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Chapter 144
“I only believe what’s true.”
She no longer looked at him. Her eyes shifted to Carter.
His gaze flickered, unreadable. Then his lips moved, quiet but resolute. “Theo. Apologize.”
Theo stood still, unwilling. But under his father’s steady, heavy stare, he finally dropped his head and muttered, barely audible,”
Sorry.”
Matty, ever composed, smiled gently. “It’s okay. Since you’re Sharon’s son, I won’t hold it against you.”
Theo clenched his fists, the image of Matty’s smug face from earlier flashing back in his mind.
But Xavier didn’t press the matter further. Instead, he turned to the teachers.
“Kids fight. That’s normal. My son isn’t that fragile. Next time something small like this happens, no need to keep calling the
parents.”
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