I stepped back, clutching my son tightly, and shot him a cold look.
“Don’t scare my son.”
He paused, clearly confused, glancing at me and the child. “Our son?”
Before I could answer, he broke into a wide smile, his joy unmistakable. “This is wonderful. We have a daughter, too!”
Maybe it hadn’t registered with him yet, but during all those months I was bedridden after giving birth and recovering overseas, he hadn’t once been there for me.
And worse, he hadn’t even noticed the subtle change in Felix’s expression.
never
Shirley’s daughter, her eyes like big grapes, scowled at me and shoved me hard. She had seen me before, but her hostility was obvious. It was clear that Shirley had filled her head with all kinds of nasty stories about me.
Then, to make things worse, Shirley’s son started crying, pointing at me and shouting, “Dad, let’s go home and find Mommy! This woman is a bad person!”
Tristan immediately scooped him up, trying to calm him.
His voice was gentle but tinged with frustration as he turned to me. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t understand.”
I gave a faint smile, my words biting. “Like mother, like daughter. They’re both strong fighters. If I couldn’t win against their mother, I sure as hell can’t win against these little ones.”
I shook my head, pretending to be deeply wronged, and started walking away, holding my child. Tristan, clearly panicking, grabbed my arm. “Lauren, don’t leave. I know I’ve made you suffer in the past. I’ll make it up to you.”
I forced out a tear, the emotion barely visible. “How are you going to make it up to me? Forget it, I don’t want to make it hard for you. I’m doing just fine with our son.”
I pretended to walk away, but he nervously blocked my path, his eyes full of desperation.
His son was still crying, and Tristan, as usual, helpless, turned to me.
“Daddy, stop talking to that bad woman! If you do, I’ll tell Mommy!”
Then, as if it wasn’t enough, his daughter started hitting me, pushing me with both hands and
feet.
I stumbled on purpose and fell to the ground, still clutching my son.
At that moment, my son cried out loudly. Right then, I held him close, murmuring comforting words with aching tenderness.
Felix rushed over, his concern written all over his face.
He helped me up, his tone stern as he turned to Tristan.
“Shirley’s kid is bullying Lauren, and you can’t even protect her? What right do you have to ask her to come back with you?”
Tristan’s eyes locked onto Felix’s hand, still holding my arm.
2/2 50.0%
Tristan’s eyes looked onto Felix’s hand, still holding my arm.
That little movement, that small gesture, seemed to set him off.
Without any warning, Tristan yanked me to his side.
“This is a family matter. It has nothing to do with Atty. Armstrong!” he snapped, his voice laced with anger.
The tension in the air was thick, like a fuse ready to blow.
I calmly pulled my arm out of his grip, giving him a cold, dismissive look.
“Felix is right. If even children can bully me, what would I go back for?”
Shirley’s daughter, now furious beyond belief, pushed and slapped me again, screaming, “Bitch! Bad woman, don’t try to take my daddy away. I’ll kill you! I’ll protect Mommy no matter what!” Finally, Tristan appeared to decide.
He pulled his daughter aside and, without hesitation, delivered a few firm slaps to her backside, scolding her harshly.
5:13 pm
