Chapter 18
Joanna didn’t finish her sentence, but her sneaky look implied Ruby was Sylvia’s secret kid with the mystery guy.
Byron’s mind raced to Ruby’s cute face. He’d had doubts before–the timing didn’t add up. Ruby must’ve been born during his marriage to vis, but they’d always been careful….
So, Sylvia had cheated on him the whole time.
Anger exploded in his chest. He jumped up and stormed over to Sylvia, grabbing her wrist.
“Sylvial Who was that guy?” Byron growled.
Sylvia hadn’t expected Byron here. She pulled her arms free, glaring. “Byron, why do you care!”
His lips curled into a cold smirk. “I don’t care about your life, Sylvia, but I want the truth. Whose kid is that girl you brought back? That guy’s?”
Joanna slid in, her voice all sweet. “Sylvia, even if you stepped out during your marriage, just be honest with Byron. Don’t worry, he won’t hold it against
you
Sylvia saw Joanna’s plan–stirring up Byron’s anger to make things worse.
Then Sylvia laughed, her eyes sharp as they met Byron’s. “What if the kid’s yours?”
Byron froze, his scowl softening
He knew it–Sylvia, the stay–at–home mom, wouldn’t do that. His voice softened. “If that’s true, raising a kid alone is tough. Bring her to our place tomorrow. My mom can help.”
Sylvia almost laughed. What a slick move–send Ruby to the Blairs, and she’d never
er get her back.
Joanna blinked, then chimed in, all smiles. “Yeah, Sylvia, let the Blairs take care of her I’ll help out with Byron’s mom when I can!”
“Byron,” Sylvia’s voice turned ice–cold, “you really think she’s yours? Let me make it clear that girl has nothing to do with you. She’s that man’s.”
Byron looked stunned. “You… you really did that?”
“What?” 5
Sylvia sneered, h
1.her reyes full of mockery. “You get to cozy up with Joanna, but I can’t move on?”
Joanna’s face went pale. She stuttered, “Sylvia, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not trying to fight you! Can’t we all just get along?”
Sylvia laughed coldly, “Get along?”
Sylvia’s jaw tightened as old wounds reopened. She raised her hand and slapped Joanna hard across the face.
Joanna’s eyes
widened, a flash of anger crossing them before she collapsed dramatically to the floor.
ne with growing panic.
*Sylvia! How dare you touch her!” Byron yelled, rushing to Joanga’s side. He gently lifted her onto a chair, calling her name
But Joanna stayed limp, eyes closed, not moving an inch.
He spun to Sylvia. “You’re a doctor, aren’t you? Do something! if anything happens to Joanna, you’re finished:”
Sylvia looked at Joanna’s take faint, her lips curling into a scornful smile. What a pathetic act
“Fine, I’ll take care of it,” she said, her voice cold.
Moments later, Sylvia came back with a pitcher of water and dumped it right over Joanna’s face.
Chapter 18
„banta screamed, shooting upright, frantically wiping the cold water dit her face.
Byron’s face darkened. “Sylvia, are you insane?”
Joanna, realizing her fake faint was ruined, scrambled to recover. “Byron, don’t blamin Sylvia…….
“She’s awake. My joh’s done.” Sylvia grabbed her purse and walked out without looking back,
Joanna’s face twisted with fury, her makeup smeared, her birthday wrecked. She looked like a soaked mess,
After changing and fixing her makeup, Joanna expected Byron to stay for her birthday. But when she came out of the bathroom, he was gone
Byron’s run–in with Sylvia had left him too shaken to play the loving boyfriend.
He’d only sent Joanna a quick text: [Don’t forget Zack’s p
parent teacher conference this afternoon.
That afternoon, Sylvia went to Francisco Memorial Preschool, putting the morning’s drama behind her.
She stood outside the second–grade classroom window, watching Ruby.
Ruby sat quietly at her desk, her eyes fixed on the teacher, her cheeks pink and impossibly adorable.
Ruby, sly as always, waited until the teacher looked away. She slid her little hand under the desk, grabbed a place of bread, and popped it into her
mouth.
She chewed like a happy chipmunk, her eyes squinted with joy.
Sylvia caught the whole thing and shook her head, a warm smile pulling at her lips, her heart full of love.
Seeing
Ruby settle so
He so well
Il into preschool eased a big worry for Sylvia
She turned and left the kindergarten wing, but as she
e passed a nearby classroom building, a small figure froze at the stairwell.
It was Zack, his eyes wide, his face shocked as he stared at Sylvia.
Three years had gone by since he’d last seen her.
The moment he knew it was her, he ran toward her without thinking.
“Why’d you come
back? Why d
didn’t you come find me?” he yelled,
Zack stopped in front of Sylvia, looking up with tears streaming down his face. His whole body shook.
He’d promised himself he wouldn’t cry, but his red, teary eyes gave him away.
Sylvia hadn’t expected to see Zack at school. This was her own son, and his words hit hard, stirring guilt in her chest.
“Something you need?” she asked, her voice calm as she remembered how he’d hurt her before, her eyes growing distant. Zack’s fists clenched, tears falling freely now. His voice broke as he yelled, “You’re the worst mom ever!
“Every kid has their mom at the parent teacher conference, but not me! You’re so selfish, I hate you!”
“You’ve got Joanna, don’t you? Weren’t you always begging for her to be your new mom?” Sylvia fired back, her tone cold.
Zack cried out, “Yeah, I do like Joanna! She’s way
better than you!”
Zack’s words were bold, but his heart hurt. As he’d grown up, he’d realized one thing: he only had one mom in the world.
12:02
Jun
Chapter 18
Selfish or not, the was still his mom
He was sobbing now, waiting for her to pick him up and comfort him like she used to
But Sylvia didn’t move.
“Then let Joanna come to your parent–teacher conference,” she said flatly
With that, she walked past him, not out of meanness but because he’d broken her heart too many times.
Zack bit his lip hard, telling himself over and over that he hated her. But as she walked away, he couldn’t help it. He rushed forward, wrapping his arms tightly around her leg
“You’re not leaving this time!” he growled.
