Chapter 145
“I’m paying for my kid to come to this kindergarten to learn, not to be summoned every time something happens just so I can sit here and be lectured,” Xavier said. “If your school can’t even handle basic conflicts between children, you may as well shut it down before you ruin more kids.” 1
The teachers stood in silence, not even daring to lift their heads.
The truth was, the children here were all too precious-no scolding, no harsh words, not even a stern look was allowed. That was why they had no choice but to call the parents every time.
But in front of Xavier, none of them dared make excuses. They could only force polite smiles.
“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Cooper. We’ll do better in the future.”
Xavier gave a slight nod, then handed a document envelope to Sharon.
“This is for you.”
She took it, opened it with a glance, and immediately understood what it was.
“Thank you.”
Xavier turned to look at Matty. “Sharon has something to take care of. You’ll come home with me today.”
Matty nodded obediently. “Sharon, I’ll go home with Dad today. We can practice violin again tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Sharon waved at him, saying goodbye.
Once Xavier and his son had left, the teachers dispersed quietly as well.
Sharon turned to Carter. “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
He glanced back at her. “We’ll talk at home.”
This clearly wasn’t the place for a real conversation, so Sharon didn’t object.
After leaving the kindergarten, the group made their way to Carter’s car.
He glanced at Kelly’s red, swollen face. “I’ll take you home. Do you want to go straight there or stop by the hospital?”
Kelly quickly replied, “Carter, you and Sharon still have things to discuss. You don’t need to take me. I can get home on my own.
His voice dropped, low and steady. “I’ll say it again. Get in the car.”
She hesitated, wanting to play coy a bit longer, but when she saw the cold, stormy look on his face, the words caught in her throat and stayed there.
Thank goodness Sharon had something to talk to him about. That would give her some time to think-figure out how to spin the mess from earlier into something more forgivable.
She opened the front passenger door, about to slide in, when Carter’s voice came from behind.
“Sit in the back.”
She paused. A flicker of resentment flashed through her eyes, but she kept her tone soft, the smile on her lips still gentle.
“Alright.”
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She opened the back door instead and turned to Theo. “Theo, hop in.”
“Thank you, Ms. Walt,” he said politely.
Her fingers tensed around the door handle.
He only called her “Ms. Walt” when he was keeping his distance-when he didn’t trust her.
If it weren’t for Sharon, she would’ve had Theo wrapped around her finger by now.
But now, both father and son were starting to pull away, growing suspicious, pushing her further and further out.
The bitterness in her heart deepened.
Then Sharon opened the passenger door and got in.
Just as she reached for her seatbelt, she caught sight of something-a small sticker right in front of her that read: Reserved Seat.
She froze for a moment. A flicker of mockery passed through her eyes.
So this seat was Kelly’s special seat.
Back when Kelly hadn’t returned yet, Sharon had rarely gone anywhere with Carter. Even less often had she ridden in his car. And when she did, she usually sat in the back with Theo.
Her gaze swept over the interior, quiet and observant.
She spotted a hanging charm for safety, a small trinket clearly gifted by a woman-completely mismatched with Carter’s style. There were also cutesy-patterned floor mats under her feet.
And then there was the scent-faint but unmistakable. She’d smelled it before. It was Kelly’s perfume.
Suddenly, it hit her-this entire car reeked of Kelly.
It was suffocating and nauseating.
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