Chapter 2

2

To make it up to him, I even chose to stay when the System told me I could leave early.

I wanted to be there for him until he grew up healthy and started his own life.

But now…

Watching the father and son hug each other in joy, I realized how pathetic I was.

I had worked so hard to keep this family together, but in their hearts, I was never the real woman of the house.

I took a deep breath, threw the remains of the ice cream into the bin, and headed home alone.

Zane and Xander didn't get back until after six in the evening.

Zane was carrying groceries, a smile on his face.

Behind him, Summer Hayes was holding Xander's hand, laughing and chatting.

The three of them looked so harmonious as they walked through the door.

It made me look like the intruder in my own home.

"Jade, I'm so sorry. We ran into each other nearby, and Zane and Xander insisted I come over. You don't mind, do you?"

Summer spoke with a bit of hesitation, but her eyes were filled with pure provocation.

Before I could answer, my son Xander spoke up.

"Mom, why do you look so grumpy? I invited Aunt Summer. She's going to be my mom soon."

"You're not allowed to kick her out like you did before!"

Zane added, "Summer is part of this family now. Don't walk around with a long face."

Part of the family…

I almost laughed out of pure anger.

"Then what am I? Some rat in the gutter ruining your family's happiness?"

Summer's eyes immediately turned red, her voice trembling.

"Jade, I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd feel that way about me. Since you hate me so much, I should just leave."

Xander panicked and grabbed her hand, yelling at me with a flushed face.

"Mom is so selfish! Mom is a bad person! You always bully Aunt Summer. I don't want you to be my mom! I hate you!"

Hearing those words from the child I carried for nine months hurt more than anything.

My heart throbbed with an uncontrollable pain.

"You shouldn't be making a scene. Summer came over to bake a cake for the kid. You shouldn't ruin her kindness."

Zane gave me a look of deep disappointment before heading into the kitchen.

I stood there, watching them through the kitchen doorway.

Summer wiped some flour onto the tip of his nose, and Xander jumped up, saying he wanted some too.

Soon, both father and son were covered in white powder.

They looked like a perfect family, while I could only watch their happiness from the shadows.

I couldn't help but remember Xander's third birthday.

I had a fever that day and struggled to bake the cake.

They couldn't wait and rushed into the kitchen to check on me, and I accidentally got some flour on their clothes.

Zane's face had darkened instantly. "You can't even do this simple thing right. What are you even good for?"

Xander had puffed out his cheeks and said, "Mom is so clumsy. She's so stupid!"