Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Sylvia drove to Francisco Memorial School just as school was letting out. Kids were waiting outside for their rides.
Ruby stood on her tiptoes, her small head scanning the crowd for Sylvia.
“Zack, Mom isn’t here yet,” she said to the boy beside her.
Zack, who had also just finished classes, was standing right there..
Ruby tugged on Zack’s hand. “Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?”
Zack’s eyes lit up for a second before dimming. “My dad won’t let me. He’s picking me up himself tonight.”
As the two kids were talking, Sylvia pulled up to the curb. She got out and spotted Ruby immediately.
“Ruby, time to go home,” Sylvia called out warmly.
Ruby ran over happily and threw herself into Sylvia’s arms.
Zack hesitated for a moment, then slowly followed.
Sylvia glanced at her watch, frowning slightly. She looked at Zack. “Where’s your dad? Hasn’t he picked you up yet?“,
Zack shook his head, then looked up hopefully. “Mom, can you call Dad and ask if I can go to your place tonight?”
Sylvia’s heart softened. She gently stroked Zack’s hair. “Your dad wouldn’t agree to that. But soon, Mom will bring you back to my side.” Her determination to get full custody of Zack solidified.
Zack nodded firmly. “Okay!”
Seeing Zack being so understanding made Sylvia smile warmly. She didn’t‘ leave immediately with Ruby but waited patiently with Zack.
A black Lincoln sedan pulled up silently. Byron unfolded his long legs from the back seat, exuding his usual cool, imposing aura. When he saw Zack standing next to Sylvia, his expression tightened. He strode over and pulled Zack to his side.
“Sylvia, what do you think you’re doing? Stay away from Zack!” He assumed Sylvia was trying to snatch Zack, the muscle in his jaw ticked.
“I don’t have time for this nonsense,” Sylvia retorted coolly. “Next time you pick up your son, try not to be late.”
Not wanting to waste another word on him, Sylvia picked up Ruby, got into her car without a backward glance, and drove off.
Byron stood there, his face livid, brows knitted tightly. He demanded sharply of Zack, “Where was she trying to take you?”
Zack blinked his wide eyes. “Dad, you misunderstood Mom. She just saw you weren’t here yet and waited with me so I wouldn’t get lost.”
Byron pressed his lips together, saying nothing. He led Zack to the car and signaled the driver to go.
Lately, Sylvia had been driving him crazy. And the woman was getting bolder, telling him she didn’t have time for his nonsense! ‘His nonsense?‘ Did he
even want to talk to her?
“Dad, you were wrong just now,” Zack said quietly. “You should apologize to Mom.”
Byron’s face darkened. “Apologize to her? Dream on!”
Byron tugged irritably at his tie, annoyance flashing across his stern features. He didn’t know when it started, but it seemed like everyone thought Sylvia was right and he was wrong.
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Chapter 58
He wasn’t sure what possessed him, but he picked up his phone and, for the first time ever, sent Sylvia a text message: “Maybe I misunderstood earlier. But I still want you to drop the custody fight for Zack.”
His son made him send it,‘ he told himself. ‘It wasn’t his idea!
After sending the text, he put his phone away, expecting an immediate reply. But the entire ride home, his phone remained silent. He couldn’t help checking it repeatedly, his expression growing darker.
Finally, he typed out another message: “Sylvia, don’t push your luck! I expect you to seriously consider what I said.”
He hit send, only for a red exclamation mark to pop
next
to it.
She blocked him!
Byron’s handsome face turned stormy, a tight knot forming in his chest. He shot a glare at Zack beside him. If it weren’t for this brat, would he have faced
such humiliation?
When they got home, Byron found Joanna already there, busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.
“Byron! Zack! Come try my cooking tonight! Dinner will be ready soon,” Joanna peeked out from the kitchen, beaming at the father and son. She expected them to be thrilled to see her, but they both seemed to ignore her completely.
Byron went upstairs to his study without
a
“Liana, what’s wrong with them?” Joanna ask
47ack marched off to his room with his backpack to do homework, also silent.
Liana, who was sitting on the sofa, looking puzzled.
“It’s nothing, don’t worry about them.” Liana put down her newspaper and stood up to help Joanna in the kitchen. Truthfully, she was baffled too. Who could possibly upset both father and son at the same time?
‘No one in Silverton should have that kind of power, right?‘ Suddenly, a name popped into her head. ‘Could it be… Sylvia?‘
Meanwhile, Sylvia had just finished cooking dinner. She came out of the kitchen to get Ruby but didn’t see her playing in the living room. She called upstairs, “Ruby, dinner’s ready!”
“Okay, Mommy! Coming!” Ruby called back sweetly. She clumsily climbed off her bed, grabbed her phone, and said into it, “Zack, I have to eat dinner with Mommy now. Do you want to see what we’re having?”
She had been on a video call with Zack ever since she got home.
“Yeah! Show me the yummy food! Are there any teddy bear cookies?” Zack’s cheerful voice came through the phone.
Ruby carried the phone downstairs, breathing a little heavily, her chubby little hand tapped the screen to switch the camera view.
Zack, watching the video feed, saw Sylvia entering the dining room and grinned. He wished he could eat with Mom and Ruby too! Feeling thirsty, he took his small water bottle downstairs to refill it.
Just then, Byron opened the door to Zack’s room. He intended to call Zack down for dinner but found the room empty. However, a phone screen was lit up on the desk.
He casually picked it up and glanced at the screen. His expression immediately became complicated. ‘The little brat was video calling Sylvia’s daughter.
Ruby was holding the phone up, the camera aimed at Sylvia.
Sylvia placed the dishes on the table. She looked up and said, “Ruby, wash your hands, time to eat! And tell Zack not to eat at school tomorrow lunch, Mommy will pick you both up and bring you here.”
“Okay, Mommy!” Ruby agreed softly. She took a bite of a large apple, wiped the juice from her mouth with the back of her hand, and looked at the phone:
screen.
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Then she paused. The person on the video wasn’t Zack ahymore; it was Zack’s dad.
Ruby giggled. She waved her little hand, about to greet Byron, but Byron dodged out of the camera’s view as if he’d been caught red–handed. His eyes narrowed–trying to lure his son over for lunch tomorrow!
