His Rejected Mommy Never Back

Claire Williams got home late, well past midnight. As she approached the front door, she noticed a faint light spilling out of the living room. At this hour, the kid should be asleep. It had to be Felix Williams, her husband, waiting up for her. Even though they'd had that big argument recently, Felix still loved her. Maybe he was getting ready to apologize. A warm feeling spread through her chest. Then, a high-pitched, feminine voice cut through the silence. "Are you sure she won't show up out of nowhere?" Claire froze. She recognized the voice. It was Julia Quinn, Felix's client—and the heir to the Quinn family. What was she doing here, so late? "Relax, she's still at the hospital. No one in Newford works as hard as my wife," Felix replied. Claire's stomach churned. It didn't sound like a compliment. Sure, Claire had been working extra hours lately, but that was because she was researching a case of diabetes that could change everything for their son, Leo. The case was similar to Leo's condition. If she figured it out, Leo's chance for a cure would increase. Thinking of Leo made Claire's heart ache. Leo had been diagnosed with congenital diabetes right after birth. He would need insulin for the rest of his life. Claire had been pushing herself to the limit, hoping to find a cure. "You've got a really great wife," Julia said in a sugary tone. "What good does that do me?" Felix replied, irritation in his voice. "She's just a regular pediatrician, earning a standard salary, with a basic degree. She'll never cure Leo." Claire's fingers tightened into a fist, her nails digging into her palm. She wanted to cure Leo, but the science just wasn't there yet. Julia casually leaned into Felix's shoulder. "Why don't you divorce Claire already? Let me be Leo's mom. I could get him a kidney on the black market." Felix's voice perked up with interest. "Really? You can fix Leo?" Julia's confidence was evident. "Of course. You don't doubt my family's resources, do you?" Claire could barely contain her disgust. She was hearing it—Felix, the man she'd been married to for years, was actually considering it. Though the offer was quite tempting, she didn't want to believe it. Felix couldn't be that cruel, could he? But then, to her horror, Felix said, "If you can cure Leo, I'll divorce her right away." Julia smiled smugly, draping her arm around Felix's neck. "Good boy..." Felix no longer restrained himself and kissed her without hesitation. A wave of nausea hit Claire. Her heart felt like it had shattered in an instant. The betrayal was suffocating. These two were not only cheating on her but plotting to steal her child. Her son—her precious Leo—how could they even think of taking him? There was no way she would let them! Just as Claire prepared to confront them, she heard footsteps. Leo, her five-year-old son, came out of his room. Leo, with his big, innocent eyes, stood there, pouting, arms crossed over his chest. He clearly wasn't happy. He stared at Felix and demanded, "What were you talking about?" Claire felt a rush of relief. Her baby was standing up for her, just as she hoped. But then Leo turned to Julia, his voice full of innocent curiosity. "Is that true?" Julia smiled sweetly and ruffled his hair. "Of course, I'd never lie to you." Leo clung to Felix's sleeve, his voice whiny. "Daddy, hurry up and divorce Mommy. Marry Julia instead." Julia couldn't hold back a laugh. "You don't like your mom?" Claire saw the look on Leo's face through the c***k in the door. He looked repulsed. "She just gives me shots and medicine. She's always hurting me. She doesn't care about me at all!" Leo's voice rang out. He ran to Julia, wrapping his arms around her legs, exaggerating his voice. "I like you the most! You can get me a new kidney, unlike Mommy. She's useless!" Claire's world went cold. She felt like her entire body had frozen. Her eyes filled with tears of anger and heartbreak. Her son, the one she carried and cared for, was turning against her. "Leo, you really hate me that much?" Claire stepped forward, her voice trembling, but her gaze unwavering. Leo immediately hid behind Julia, guilt written all over his face. "Mommy... how come you're back? Aren't you working late?" Julia quickly defended him. "Why are you being so harsh on Leo? He's just a kid. He only knows who treats him well." Claire's anger flared. "My son's business is none of yours! This is my house, so get out!" Julia raised her chin, clinging to Felix's arm. "But your husband wanted me to stay." Claire turned her ice-cold stare towards Felix. "If you want to keep this family, get her out of here!" To her shock, Felix wrapped his arm around Julia's waist, looking at Claire with a blank expression. "You heard it. If I divorce you, Julia can get Leo a kidney." Claire's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe Felix was being this cold. "We're getting a divorce," Felix said, emotionless. Claire's fury burned inside her. "Leo is my child. I won't let her get him a kidney!" The black market kidney was dangerous. The risks were enormous. It wasn't the right way to treat Leo. Julia let out a cruel laugh. "You're his mom? What have you done for him? Can you cure him? Can you make him live like a normal kid? If I were his mom, I'd have gotten him a kidney by now. He could eat what he wanted, go out whenever he liked." Leo looked up at Julia, admiration in his eyes. He gave her a wide grin. Claire felt like she'd been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. The pain was unbearable. She remained silent for a long time, forcing herself to stay composed before finally speaking, her voice steady but firm. "I'll divorce you, but I will never give up Leo." Letting them go through with the transplant would be a disaster. Felix let out an impatient sigh, his eyes filled with disdain. "And what makes you think you deserve to have Leo? All you do is work late, inject him with insulin, and keep him from living like a normal kid. Have you ever tried to actually cure him? What kind of mother does that make you?" Claire's throat tightened, a lump forming as she struggled to breathe. She was working late—to research treatments that might save Leo. She was giving him insulin—to keep him alive. Every single moment of her life had been dedicated to finding a cure for him. She was silent for a long time, forcing herself to stay calm as she looked at the child she loved more than anything in the world. "Let Leo decide. If he wants to stay with you, I won't stop him. But if he chooses me, you can't stop him." She'd spent years taking care of Leo. She was confident that a stranger's words could outweigh all her love and sacrifice. Felix sneered. "Fine, but don't regret it later." He turned to Leo. "Son, you can choose whoever you want. I won't stop you." Leo looked between Felix and Julia, and then at Claire. Finally, he opened his arms and walked over to Claire. "Leo, I knew you were my baby," Claire whispered, tears streaming down her face as she crouched to embrace him. But moments later, Leo pulled away from her. His smile was gone. "Mommy, I know you're good to me, but Julia can cure my disease. So... you should divorce Daddy. I'm sorry, but I can't choose you." His words—spoken in that innocent, childish voice—shattered Claire's heart completely.