Chapter 8：The truth
1112 Words
Agnes's call came in immediately.
"Why did you come back so quietly? Didn't you say you'd wait another two months? Why didn't you let me pick you up? Is Alex with you? Are you going back? Where are you? I'll come to find you after work for dinner!" As soon as the call connected, Agnes rattled off a string of questions.
The volume wasn't low, and Able naturally heard a lot. Alison didn't have the energy to avoid him now. She held the phone and replied, "Something came up, so I came back early. Please help me list my apartment for sale. I want to sell it as soon as possible. A reasonable price will do."
Agnes worked in the education sector and knew parents from various industries. Her network was much broader than Alison's now.
Agnes assumed Alison had started a new life and didn't want to live in the old apartment anymore, so she agreed without hesitation.
Alison was afraid that saying too much might make Agnes suspicious. Alex visibly relaxed when he saw Alison. He ran to his mother, and Alison squatted down to pick him up. Seeing Alex's improved condition, she finally felt at ease.
"Mama, where did you go?" Alex hugged Alison's neck, looking pitiful.
"I went to where I used to live."
Alex said, "Then when I get better, can you take me there too?" He whispered into Alison's ear, "I don't want to stay here."
Able, standing nearby, heard everything but did not respond.
Alison calmly placed Alex on the sofa. She tried to minimize physical contact to help them both adjust: "Isn't this place nice? It has a big room, so many toys, and the auntie makes delicious food for you."
Alex pouted, "But I don't see you here. I want to be with you."
"If you live here too, then I will stay here," Alex said seriously, looking at Alison.
In the garden, Able asked, "When do you plan to tell the child the truth?"
He wanted Alison to be the "bad guy."
Alison replied, "He's still sick. It's not the right time now."
Able said, "As I mentioned before, stay and take care of him for a while. Have you considered that?"
Alison said, "I’ve thought about it. Once he's better and goes to kindergarten, he'll spend less time at home. With new friends, he should adapt more easily to not seeing me. Half a month should be enough."
In half a month, she could sort out her emotions, find a job, and handle the apartment. Alex should have adapted to his new environment and family by then.
Able nodded in agreement. "I'll pay you during this period. The two million I gave you before still stands."
Alison shook her head. "I know that money is insignificant to you, but from the moment I started raising him, I never intended to take his parents' money."
Able looked at Alison.
Afraid he might misunderstand, Alison quickly explained, "Don't get me wrong. I'm not expecting him to support me in old age. Once I leave, I won't come back to see him. But he has a strong personality, so an occasional phone call would be fine."
Able was satisfied with this answer.
Alison added, "His household registration is still with me. When he's better, I'll go back to Ali, clear out my things, and transfer it to you."
Able's expression indicated this was only natural.
The previous two million hadn't persuaded Alison, and he had thought it might be challenging. But now it seemed this woman was quite sensible.
That night, Alex insisted on sleeping next to Alison. Since he wasn't fully recovered, Alison, worried about him, agreed.
They whispered under the covers.
Since being separated in Ali, this was the first time they were truly alone.
Alex nestled in Alison's arms. "Mama, is he really my daddy?"
Alison had planned to discuss Able a few days later, but since Alex asked now, she saw it as a good opportunity to explain.
Alison said, "Yes, he is your daddy."
Alex asked, "Then why did you separate, and why does he want me back now?"
Alex thought his parents had only divorced, as the ladies downstairs used to say.
Alison said, "Alex, do you remember the kitten we found before?"
Alex didn't understand why his mother brought up the kitten now but replied, "Yes, the white one."
Alison said, "We fed it for five days, and then the lady from the next street came to take it back."
Alex remembered, "The granny said it was hers, and the kitten had run away and couldn't find its way home."
Alison said, "Yes, you made a little nest for it out of your old clothes, but when the granny came, you were reluctant but still gave it back."
Alex still felt sad thinking about the cute milk cat: "Because it was granny's, and she was its family."
Alison said, "Yes, and the granny accidentally lost it and had been anxiously looking for it for days."
Alison held Alex's shoulders, looking seriously into his eyes until he met her gaze.
"Alex, listen carefully. When you were little, your daddy accidentally lost you, and I found you. Now that he has found you, I have to give you back to him. Do you understand?"
Alex struggled to digest this long explanation, though he sensed from his mother's tone and expression that it wasn't a happy matter.
Tears welled up in Alex's eyes as he choked out, "I don't understand..."
Knowing the truth would hurt the child, no matter their age.
Alex was more mature than his peers, so Alison decided not to give him more time to adjust emotionally.
"Look at me. You weren't born from me. I picked you up. I selfishly kept you because I couldn't have children. I'm a fake mother, and he's your real father. He didn't ignore you; I hid you from him."
Alison painfully said, "I'm the bad person."
She couldn't cry in front of her child. She had to appear resolute.
Alex cried, "You're lying. You are my mama! You gave birth to me!"
Alison quickly wiped her tears, determined to play the bad guy till the end. "I've spent almost all my money raising you for four years. I can't continue to support you. Your father will take care of you now. He will give you everything you want."
Alex, visibly hurt and angry, tried to reach for his mother, but Alison held him off, making him cry louder, "No, no! Mama, don't go. Let daddy support you!"
Able, in his loungewear, pushed open the door and heard this last sentence.
- Writer
