Chapter 22
At the sight of them together, a heavy weight settled in Sharon’s chest, like a stone pressing hard against her lungs.
In five years of marriage, Carter had never once gone with her to drop off their son at preschool. She had asked him before, of course–more than once–but he always waved it off, claiming work kept him too busy.
Now she understood. It wasn’t about work. He just hadn’t wanted to go with her.
Theo, still bleary–eyed and yawning, looked like he hadn’t slept well again. Probably stayed up too late, as usual. But the second he heard Kelly’s words, his eyes flew wide open–and sure enough he spotted Sharon standing not far away.
Kelly leaned down to him, her tone soft and coaxing. “See, Theo? told you. There’s no way your mom could really be mad at you. Look, she came so early just to see you.”
A flicker of smugness lit up Theo’s face.
He turned to Sharon, speaking with exaggerated loftiness, “Don’t think your little tricks will make me cave. If you don’t apologize to Kelly, I’m not forgiving you.”
Kelly smiled and glanced at Carter. “Looks like Nate’s idea is working after all.”
Carter gave a faint “Mm” in response. Then he turned to Sharon and said, flatly, “Kelly hasn’t had much of an appetite lately. Go prepare her some medicinal soup.” 1
Sharon gave him a strange look, and two words left her lips, calm but sharp.
“You’re crazy.” 1
Kelly immediately stepped in like some kind of peacekeeper. “Sharon, don’t be so upset with Carter. If there’s something to talk about, let’s all sit down like adults. You’ve never had a job, and you’ve been used to a life of comfort. After leaving home, I’m sure you’ve had a hard time.”
She said it like she was offering help, but her words dripped with condescension.
“Why not just apologize to Carter?” she added gently. “Theo’s still young. We really shouldn’t involve children in adult matters, don’t you think?”
The implication was clear: Sharon was using Theo to make herself the center of attention.
Carter’s cold gaze settled on Sharon like a frost settling over a quiet field.
“Apologize to Kelly now,” he said. “If you do, I’ll let the past go.”
Even Theo frowned, face twisted with irritation. “Mom, I’m not your tool to fight over attention.”
Sharon looked at the three of them standing together–united in accusation–and almost laughed. It was so ridiculous it hurt. If someone walked by, they’d think she was the villain here, bullying a happy little family.
Kelly looked at her with the sincerity of a best friend. “Sharon, you really should take a step back.”
Sharon’s laugh was low and bitter. “Take a step back? Freezing my accounts and demanding an apology–is that what you mean by taking a step back? If this is the kind of ‘good‘ you’re offering, why don’t you take it, Kelly?”
Kelly opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Just then, Theo suddenly stepped in front of Kelly, arms spread wide like a shield, his face tight with seriousness.
“Don’t bully Kelly anymore!”
Sharon froze.
Sure, Theo had always been affectionate with Kelly, but he’d neverstood against her like this–never so openly.
Chapter 22
+25 BONUS
No, that wasn’t right.
It was just that all the times before, she had swallowed her pride first, given in before it ever came to this. Looking at the open hostility on her son’s face, Sharon’s steps faltered. She nearly lost her balance.
Kelly’s eyes gleamed faintly, and she reached out, as if to steady her
“Sharon, be careful–ah!”
Suddenly, Kelly stumbled sideways like she’d been pushed, pitching toward the edge of the street.
At that very moment, a car came rolling toward them. It all happened in a blink–Carter lunged forward and caught her, pulling her firmly into his arms.
Kelly’s eyes filled with tears almost instantly, her body trembling as she clung to him.
“Carter, I… I almost never saw you again…”
Chapter 23
+25 BONUS
Chapter 23
