Caleb quickly left the hospital, leaving only Hayden to keep watch. Gossip about the two of them had spread throughout their social circle, but he had no time to deal with it.
Since the class reunion ended, some people were calling Gloria his first love, while others labeled her a homewrecker. Still others claimed Gloria was a seductress involved with both Caleb and Hayden.
By the time Nicole returned home, showered, and had dinner, she had already received several private messages from socialites she knew from various events.
They meant no harm and were just being kind, subtly reminding her to protect her marriage. There would be countless women like this in the future, they warned, especially with Hayden being so handsome.
Nicole felt nothing at all. Like a robot, she replied with polite thanks for their concern, when suddenly,
there was commotion outside.
Matthew had somehow come home unexpectedly. He clutched his backpack straps and walked. up to
Nicole in a few quick steps, glaring at her with displeasure.
“Did you do this?”
Nicole was confused by Matthew’s accusation. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Matthew grew even angrier. “Great–aunt Olivia says people are calling Ms. Ashford a homewrecker, and you won’t help explain the truth! She went to the reunion just to have fun, but she ended up getting bullied.
“Was Daddy wrong to stand up for her? Why are you treating her like this?”
He clenched his fists, fierce as a little wolf. The child who used to be sweet and obedient, always calling her “Mommy“, had turned around with murderous eyes, as if he wanted to hurt her.
Nicole looked at Matthew calmly. “I didn’t spread those rumors about her being a homewrecker. Adult matters aren’t for you to manage. Now don’t bother me.”
Matthew grew even more furious and wouldn’t let it go. “Mommy, you should be happy that you got to marry Daddy! If Ms. Ashford hadn’t gone abroad because of her heart condition, she would be Daddy’s wife now. What more could you possibly want?”
Matthew’s voice was very tender, but the words he spoke made Nicole feel sick to her stomach. She looked at this child, at this little life she had brought into the world, who was now confronting her and demanding answers for the sake of another woman.
Nicole thought of all the careful guidance and devotion she had given over the years. She couldn’t understand how her child had become so corrupted. He had completely changed toward her, able to say the most vicious things.
Even Taylor couldn’t stand listening anymore and said carefully, “Don’t… don’t talk like that, Mr. Matthew…
Chapter 33
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Matthew ignored him, lifting his chin and glaring at Nicole with a nasty look. “You need to go explain things to Ms. Ashford right now!”
Nicole walked over and looked down at him closely.
Matthew scowled in displeasure. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nicole raised her hand and slapped him directly across the face. She held back her strength, considering he was a child. Even so, Matthew staggered, and a bright red handprint immediately appeared on his
small face.
Taylor stared in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock, not daring to breathe. Nicole looked at this ungrateful child who acted like she owed him something. Thinking of her limited time left, she smiled coldly and decided she was done holding back.
Her face showed faint mockery. “That slap was for your disrespect just now! From now on, don’t call me Mommy anymore. Every time you do, you’ll get another slap! Go find whoever you want to feel sorry for and get as far away from me as possible!”
Matthew was stunned by her sudden attitude and the slap. Afraid, he stood frozen in place. He looked like he was about to cry, but he held back.
Nicole looked at him and asked coldly, “Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
“I’ll never forgive you! Never!” Matthew burst into tears, shouldering his backpack and running away.
Taylor hurried after him, glancing back at Nicole as he followed. His look was strange, as if he were seeing Nicole for the first time.
Nicole shook her hand, ignoring Taylor’s bewildered stare, and went upstairs to shower. By the time she finished getting ready for bed, half an hour had passed. Her phone showed two missed calls and several text messages.
The calls were from Hayden and Olivia. Nicole didn’t bother checking them. She could easily guess that Matthew had run to both of them to complain.
She didn’t look at Hayden’s messages and simply deleted the entire chat thread.
