Chapter 3
566 Words
As the two walked away, Amanda cautiously approached.
"Madam, perhaps I could explain for you—say you weren't feeling well today, so you couldn't tend to Ryan. If you apologize, they will surely forgive you."
I scoffed, lifting my head in irony. "Ryan is eight years old. Is he some giant baby that still needs my care? I've made myself clear. I'm divorcing Andrew. From now on, their lives are no longer my concern."
With that, I went upstairs to pack.
I only took some jewelry my mother had left me and clothes I'd bought myself.
Dragging a single suitcase behind me, I left without a backward glance.
Andrew must have heard quickly. That evening, he called me three times, which was unusual.
I ignored them, just sending him a screenshot of the news article I'd seen the night before, the one that hadn't been taken down yet.
He fell silent immediately.
Five minutes later, Ryan called.
He was still young, and I hadn't planned to expose him to electronics so soon. But this child had inherited Andrew's intelligence and self-control. Even with a phone, he managed his time well.
For safety, Andrew and I had gotten him a custom one.
I still remember how Ryan, the moment he got his phone, saved his number in my contacts. And he made himself my emergency contact. At the time, he took my hand, his small face serious as he declared, "Mom, if you're ever in danger, call me. I'm a man now. I'll protect you when Dad's not around."
Memories flooded my mind. Lost in thought, I accidentally hit answer.
Ryan's voice erupted, furious, shrill. "Jules Wright, you liar! You were eavesdropping! How could you be so vile? You're a liar! I told Dad to go out with Maeve. Take it out on me, not him!"
"What did you call me?" My heart lurched as if struck by a mallet; the pain sent me reeling.
I was disappointed and angry with Ryan. But he was still the child I carried for ten months. The last person left who shared my blood.
Yet I never thought the closest person would cut the deepest.
Ryan, on the other end, seemed startled by my reaction, pausing briefly before letting out a dismissive snort. His tone carried a hint of smug confidence.
"Maeve is just Dad's old classmate. They're nothing more than friends. Maeve would never be this petty. If you still want Dad and me to forgive you, go apologize to Maeve and Dad. I can pretend none of this happened. As far as I'm concerned, you're still my mother."
I laughed, my heart aching fiercely, as if a thousand needles were piercing it, while my limbs went numb with cold.
This was the child I had given birth to, yet every word he spoke was taking an outsider's side.
Digging my nails into my palm, I barely managed to hold myself from teetering on the edge of breakdown.
"Ryan," I said, my voice trembling. "I won't apologize, and I don't want to be your mother anymore. I've made up my mind to divorce your father. From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other."
"Fine! I don't want you as my mom anyway," Ryan retorted, his childish voice full of resolve. "You better mean that!"
With that, he hung up with a sharp click.
- Writer
