Chapter 205
“If Theo is really that easy to manipulate,” Sharon said coolly, “then maybe you should take a good look at yourself-ask why your own son has absolutely no instinct to protect himself. What happens if one day he gets kidnapped? Will you finally regret it then?”
She paused, her gaze shifting to Carter, a mocking glint in her eyes.
“Oh, I forgot. Regret isn’t really your thing. You’re more the type to shove all the blame onto someone else. You never want to give anything yourself, yet you’re quick to criticize the efforts of others. Carter, you’re astonishing in how self-righteous you
are.”
Her words hit their mark. For a second, Carter found himself speechless. Then his voice turned cold.
“Sharon, I thought you asked to speak with me because you had some remorse. If you just brought me out here to spout this nonsense, I suggest you save your breath.”
Sharon knew it was pointless. Talking to someone who lived inside his own narrative was like yelling into the wind. Even with facts laid bare, he would only find new excuses to shield himself.
She got straight to the point. “There are two things I wanted to say. First-Theo pushed Matty into the lake. That’s a fact. He needs to apologize to him. And you, as Theo’s dad, should apologize to Matty’s family.”
Carter’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. He’d seen the footage too. Whether or not the push had been intentional, there had been a struggle and Matty had fallen in because of it. And as for Theo…
It was clear in the footage-he’d jumped in after Matty of his own accord. No one pushed him. [1
Though Carter didn’t care much for Xavier or Matty, he wasn’t the kind of man who blindly shielded his child either.
Expressionless, he said, “I’ll cover Matty’s medical expenses, and the compensation will be fair. Nothing will be missing.”
Sharon didn’t react. No surprise, no satisfaction.
Theo wasn’t Kelly. With evidence this clear, of course Carter wouldn’t protect him blindly. Still, she didn’t know whether she should feel relieved-or just numb.
“There’s a second thing,” she said, locking eyes with him. “I agree to your condition of walking away with nothing. Carter, when are we finalizing our divorce?”
He blinked, as if taken aback, then gave a short, amused laugh.
“Divorce? You’re serious?”
She could see right through him. She laughed too.
“Am I serious?”
He arched a brow, voice light with mockery. “So this time, you’re not going to ask for half of everything?”
Clearly, he still thought she was bluffing, playing some elaborate push-and-pull.
Sharon asked calmly, “If I wanted half, would you give it to me?”
He gave her a half-smile, eyes unreadable. “And if I didn’t, would you still go through with the divorce?”
“It seems your hearing isn’t too good,” she replied. “I said already-I’ve agreed to walk away with nothing.”
His lips curled. “Then what’s your condition this time? Trying to use my mother’s medication to squeeze more leverage out of me? Or maybe you want custody of Theo? Or is there something else I haven’t thought of yet?”
Chapter 205
Her eyes met his-clear, sharp, unwavering. She smiled too, just as slowly.
“If you’re willing to give me custody of Theo, I wouldn’t mind. After all, you’re so busy you can’t even keep an eye on your five- year-old.”
“As for your mother…” she added, “anyone who’d report a mother for kidnapping her own child isn’t exactly a genius. This kind of family is hardly able to provide an ideal environment to raise a child.”
Then her voice shifted, softer but just as firm. “Of course, if you’re not willing to hand over custody, that’s fine too. As long as you show up with me at the courthouse tomorrow to finalize the divorce-I’ll ask for nothing.”
She looked him straight in the eye. “Carter. Will you show up?”
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