Chapter 3

3

"Didn't you learn that in school?"

I clutched my stomach, looked at my son's bright smile, and ate the peppers without another word.

Soren looked like he wanted to stop me, but I just smiled. "It's okay."

What did it matter? I was leaving. Making my son happy one last time was the least I could do as a mother.

But I overestimated my stomach. Almost as soon as I left the table, the pain doubled me over.

Years of skipping meals for work had left me with chronic issues. To Wyatt, it just looked like I was faking it.

"Mom, if you didn't want to eat, you shouldn't have. Now you're pretending you can't stand up just to make Auntie Tessa feel bad? Forget it. No one believes you."

Even Soren looked at me with disapproval.

"Jada, enough with the drama. Get up."

Nobody helped me. They gathered the dishes and went into the kitchen.

I could hear the three of them laughing, talking about their day.

Meanwhile, I was curled up on the floor, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Was I sad? Of course. But I felt a strange sense of relief, too.

It proved that after I left, Wyatt wouldn't be miserable.

Soren would be taken care of.

Once the thought settled, I forced myself up to swallow some medicine.

The warm water helped my stomach settle enough for me to sit on the couch.

The trio finished in the kitchen. Wyatt was splashing water at Tessa, giggling. "No! I want Auntie Tessa to tuck me in tonight. I don't want the old witch."

"But..."

Tessa hesitated. She wasn't the wife here, after all.

Soren wiped the water off his face and picked Wyatt up. His voice was indifferent.

"Stay. It's Jada's own fault the kid doesn't like her. Don't feel pressured."

With one sentence, he sentenced my motherhood to death.

Wyatt was thrilled. He kissed Soren on the cheek and reached out for Tessa to carry him.

The scene was so warm, so perfect. My fingers felt stiff. I wanted to run away.

But Soren walked toward me, his face twisted in a mock.

"When did you even get back? I thought you forgot you had a home and a son. No wonder Wyatt isn't close to you."

"Soren..."

I wanted to say the word "divorce," but when I looked into his eyes, I went numb.

"Jada, I'm not in the mood to fight. If the kid hates you, look in the mirror."

"I know."

That was my only response.

But what else was I supposed to do?

When Wyatt was born, I gave up my career to be with him every second.

I didn't go back to work until he started talking.

But Soren was never satisfied. Or maybe he just wasn't satisfied with me.

I always knew Tessa was his first love. She lived next door because of him. She took care of Wyatt because of him.

Their love story was epic and moving. Even I was moved by it.

So, I decided to let them have it.

Late at night, I heard Tessa's gentle voice reading a story in Wyatt's room. She was so animated, and Wyatt sounded so mesmerized.

"Auntie Tessa, you're the best. I wish you could stay here and take care of me forever."

His voice drifted off as he got sleepy, but I heard every word.

Good. I would go protect the country, and Wyatt would get his wish.