Xander wanted to get out of bed and throw himself into Anathea’s arms, but when he saw the IV still hooked to the back of his “hand, his head dropped. He could only give her puppy eyes.
Anathea felt a twinge of sympathy, but she didn’t respond to him because, just the other day, he’d sworn he didn’t want her to be his mom. He’d wanted Natalie instead.
Seeing him look so pitiful only made her feel as if he’d turned to her because he hadn’t gotten the attention he wanted from Natalie.
To him, she was nothing but the second–best option.
That thought pricked at her heart like a thorn. She felt a dull ache every time she breathed.
So, she said nothing as she placed the soup on the table before turning to leave.
“Mom, don’t go!” Xander’s chest was congested, and the surge of emotion triggered a fit of coughing
Anathea frowned as she saw his face flush red. He struggled to breathe through the coughing, tears rolling down as his body trembled. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to ignore him.
Letting out a slow breath, she stepped forward and patted his back to help him breathe.
Xander leaned against her immediately, clutching at the hem of her shirt as if he feared that if he let go, she would disappear.
“Mom, I–I missed you so much…” He looked up at Anathea with tear–filled eyes, his voice choking with sobs.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have said those mean things. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He kept apologizing hoarsely.
His classmates had told him that if he did something wrong and made his mom upset, he should apologize sincerely.
But the tutors at the Sinclair residence had always taught him that there was no such thing as right or wrong–only whether the
result worked in his favor.
Now, he suddenly felt as if those tutors had been wrong.
If he hadn’t done anything wrong, why would Anathea leave? Why would she stop wanting him?
Hence, he regretted it.
He regretted saying those hurtful things. He never meant it, but he just couldn’t help himself. It was as though something had taken over him.
Now, he was terrified that Anathea would never want him again.
The more he thought about it, the more upset he got. Tears spilled out again, but he didn’t dare cry out loud–Gregory didn’t like
- it.
Every time he did, Gregory would scold him harshly. Also, Anathea wouldn’t like it either.
Anathea studied him–he was sniffling and hiccupping, trying to hold it all in. He looked so pitiful that she hesitated, then gently placed her hand on his back and patted it.
“It’s okay now,” she said warmly.
Xander’s eyes lit up as he hugged her tightly, “I missed you so, so much, Mom. Please don’t go. Please don’t leave me again, okay?”
Anathea didn’t answer.
Chapter 210
+25 BONUS
She didn’t want to make a promise like that in a moment of weakness because that would only trap her further.
Besides, she hadn’t fully let go of the resentment. Even though the wound in her heart had scabbed over and fallen away, it had still left behind a scar that wouldn’t fade.
So, she just kept patting Xander’s back and softly changed the subject. “Are you hungry? Do you want the soup?”
Xander nodded immediately. “Yes!”
Anathea fed him, but he didn’t have that much appetite. He barely managed to eat half the bowl before he felt full. Outside the window, the sky had begun to darken. The evening breeze rustled the trees, casting swaying shadows.
After settling Xander down to sleep, Anathea got up to leave the room. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Gregory standing by the door.
Thinking he’d come to check on Xander, Anathea stepped aside.
But Gregory reached out and grabbed her wrist, his grip slowly tightening.
