Chapter 64
He didn’t know why, but every time Theo looked at Matty, an overwhelming sense of irritation rose in him.
He glared at Matty, voice sharp and accusing. “That’s because my mom is always bullying Kelly!”
“I don’t believe that!” Matty shot back, louder than before. “Sharon is gentle and kind. She’d never bully anyone! You’re all the ones bullying her!”
One sentence after another tumbled out of his mouth. “Just like earlier-she obviously fell on her own, but you still said Sharon pushed her! Sharon is the best mom in the world!”
Theo’s eyes turned red with frustration. He watched Sharon-who usually hovered over him with soft concern-now turning instead to comfort another child. It felt like someone had stolen his favorite toy.
“She’s my mom! Not yours!”
“She’s not your mom,” Matty countered, firm and unflinching. “You never treated her like a mom. You only ever saw her as a
nanny.”
Then, as if bracing himself, he stepped directly in front of Sharon.
“From today on, I won’t let you bully her anymore.”
Even a child could see it-the cruel irony that her own son seemed more affectionate toward another woman. There might not be a deeper wound than that.
Theo opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Carter’s expression darkened as he watched the boys argue. A flicker of irritation crossed his face. Coldly, he asked, “Who is this kid?”
“My son,” Xavier replied with an easy smile. “I heard Sharon’s card was frozen. No source of income, right? I’ve been too busy to look after him myself, so I asked her to help me with the childcare.”
Carter’s lips tightened, voice turning harsh. “Sharon, you’d rather look after someone else’s kid than care for your own? Do you even remember the last time you came home?”
Theo, too, couldn’t hold back a look of wounded confusion.
Yeah. Why had she stopped caring about him?
Xavier smiled faintly. “Maybe it’s because watching someone else’s kid earns her both money and affection. But raising her own child? That gets her no respect-only makes her a nanny.”
His gaze swept across both father and son.
&
“If you never treated her as a wife or a mother-never fulfilled your roles as husband or son-what right do you have to demand she act like a perfect wife or mother?”
Sharon’s eyes burned with heat.
The words struck something deep in her chest. That small, buried ache of being constantly blamed and judged whenever Kelly was involved. No matter what, the only things she ever received from Carter and Theo were criticisms and expectations.
But Xavier’s words… they made her want to cry.
When Carter saw the grateful look she gave Xavier, something in his gaze darkened.
“This is a family matter. You’re an outsider. You have no right to interfere.”
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Xavier lifted his brows, mock surprise in his tone. “A family matter, huh? Outsiders can’t speak… then why is Kelly allowed to interfere? Or is she family too?” (1)
Carter’s face turned a shade darker, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned to Sharon.
“You’re coming home with me. Theo still needs you.”
Her voice was quiet but steady. “I already told you-I’m not going back.”
She took Matty’s hand. “Your wound still needs to be disinfected. Let’s go.”
“Okay,” Matty nodded obediently.
But just as they turned to leave, Theo stood in their way. His face was drawn tight with emotion. (1
“You’re not allowed to go!”
Sharon looked down at the child she had raised with her own hands. There were times she wondered whether she had failed. If all the care she gave was just misguided-what she thought was good, wasn’t what he wanted at all.
Was that why he clung so easily to another woman?
But why-of all people-did it have to be Kelly?
Her gaze was calm. “Are you planning to apologize to Matty for pushing him earlier?”
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