Chapter 3

3.

I first noticed something was off when my son, who usually hated books, started reading as soon as he got home.

He even asked Silas to buy him a bunch of classic literature.

Every night after dinner, he would sneak into Silas's study.

One day, curiosity got the better of me. I stood outside the door to eavesdrop.

What I heard made my blood run cold. It was Lily's voice.

"How much did Leo read today? Teacher is going to check your progress, you know."

"I'm halfway through! Miss Lily, if I finish, will you really take me to McDonald's again?"

My son's voice was full of excitement.

I frowned, a surge of anger rising in my chest.

Because my parents spoiled him, Leo was already overweight for his age.

The doctor said it could affect his health if he kept gaining weight.

I had been very strict about his diet.

And yet, this Lily woman was using junk food to bribe him!

I was about to push the door open when I heard Silas's voice.

"Miss Lily always keeps her word. She'll definitely take you."

My hand froze on the doorknob.

Silas knew about this?

He was actually encouraging it?

"Then will you come with us, Daddy? I want to see a movie, just the three of us!"

"Well, Mr. Vance, since Leo said so, would you..."

Lily's voice sounded different than it did in the group chat. She sounded like a shy teenager.

I held my breath, hoping Silas would politely decline.

"Then we should all go together."

I was crushed.

Silas had agreed so easily.

My son's next words felt like a dagger to my heart.

"Yay! But don't let Mommy come. She won't let me eat fries. She's so annoying!"

My head spun.

My hands began to shake uncontrollably.

I tried to tell myself he was just a kid and didn't know any better.

I was busy with work, so I didn't spend as much time with him as I wanted.

But he had always been so clingy with me. Every weekend, he would follow me around like a shadow.

And now, he found me annoying.

I stood outside for a long time, forcing myself to calm down.

Leo was too young to come up with this on his own. Someone was coaching him.

Silas wouldn't dare be this bold, so the culprit was obvious.

I didn't storm in.

If I went in now, Silas would just make up some excuse to brush me off.

Even if I confronted them, it wouldn't change anything.

I would wait until they went to the movies and catch them red-handed!

I wanted to see how Silas would lie his way out of that!