Chapter 43.
Chapter 43
Sylvia pulled Zack behind her, and he peeked out timidly, his small head barely visible as he nervously glanced at Byron.
Even though he was scared, being protected by Sylvia felt so good.
“Zack.” Byron paused for a moment, realizing that being forceful wouldn’t work. His tone softened unexpectedly. “Joanna was crying just now because of her. Are you sure you want to stay with her?”
Byron knew that Zack cared more about Joanna than Sylvia. He was certain that mentioning Joanna’s tears would make Zack rush to comfort her.
Zack froze for a moment, then hesitated and whispered, “Dad, that’s not what happened. Joanna cried because…”
Before he could finish, Byron’s expression turned icy, and he interrupted sharply, “Zack, why are you defending her? Have you forgotten how Joanna has cared for you all these years?”
Byron’s gaze shifted to Sylvia, filled with disappointment. She hadn’t been back long, but she’d already managed to sway Zack, even teaching him to talk
back.
Zack’s face turned pale, his small hands clutching Sylvia’s sleeve tightly. He was terrified of Byron, but the thought of leaving Sylvia was unbearable. He looked up at Sylvia, pleading for her help. “Mom…”
Sylvia was taken aback by Zack’s guts to stand up to Byron for her. After a beat of silence, she squatted down to meet his eyes and said firmly, her voice rock–solid, “Zack, if you don’t want to go, nobody can force you.”
Byron’s eyes flashed with irritation. Zack was his son. Sylvia had no right to interfere, let alone try to influence him.
“Chase, bring Zack over here,” Byron ordered, his tone sharp and unyielding.
Chase strode toward Zack, but the boy i
Mom.”
y broke into sobs, his voice trembling as he cried out, “I don’t wanna go back. I wanna stay here with
Chase froze, unsure of how to handle the situation.
Byron’s expression remained cold, but a faint ache stirred in his chest as he watched Zack’s tear–streaked face. He clenched his jaw and waved Chase off.
Fixing Sylvia with a frosty glare, Byron said, “You abandoned Zack før three years. Have you thought about how he felt? Joanna has been the one raising him while you were off living your life. You’ve moved on, Sylvia. Zack deserves to move on too.”
Sylvia’s heart softened as she looked down at Zack, his tiny hand clutching her shirt like it was his last hope.
Once, she might have tried to convince Zack to go back to Byron. But now, Zack was old enough to understand right from wrong and deserved a family that truly cared for him.
She let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Why should I listen to you?”
Byron tugged at his tie in frustration, clearly not expecting Sylvia to be so unyielding. “Sylvia, you never used to act like this!”
Sylvia’s laugh was sharp and bitter. “Oh, you mean the old me? The one who bent over backward, did everything you wanted, just to hear you call me ‘understanding‘? Byron, have you forgotten how you treated me back then?”
Her words hit Byron like a dagger, stirring up memories he had buried long ago. Sylvia had once been so gentle, so compliant, clinging to him like a vine that couldn’t stand on its own.
But he thought she wasn’t good enough. He had even made her hide their relationship, afraid her humble background would tarnish his reputation.
He remembered one particular night. He had been dining with Joanna at an upscale restaurant when a sudden downpour began outside.
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Amid their laughter, he glanced out the window and spotted Sylvia, rushing to hail a cab in the pouring rain.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she froze, clutching a small umbrella tightly. Her slim figure looked so fragile, as if the rain might wash her away.
After a moment of hesitation, she ran into the restaurant, left the umbrella in a corner, and disappeared back into the rain without saying a word.
She had been so considerate, not uttering a single complaint. All she gave him was a fleeting glance.
At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, too engrossed in his conversation with Joanna. But now, that lonely silhouette haunted him, filled with unspoken sorrow and pain.
“If you promise to stay away from Zack for good, I’ll make sure you don’t have to work at Joanna’s company, Byron finally said, his voice heavy with guilt after a long silence.
“Sorry, but I’m not agreeing to any of your terms,” Sylvia replied coldly, her tone sharp and unyielding.
Byron’s patience snapped. “Sylvia, what’s your game here? You left us without a word. Why come back now? You abandoned Zack. Are you feeling guilty all of a sudden?” he roared, his frustration spilling over.
“Dad, it wasn’t her fault. It was mine! I was thoughtless back then!” Zack’s voice cracked as he cried out, his face flushed with urgency.
Byron stared at his son, stunned. Disbelief was written all over his face as he struggled to process Zack’s words.
He wanted to demand what kind of spell Sylvia had cast on Zack to make him act like this.
The sharp click of Joanna’s heels broke the tense silence as she approached. Her eyes flickered with surprise before she quickly masked it with a warm, practiced smile. “Zack, why don’t you listen to your dad?”
She cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness as she reached out to him, “Zack, you always listen to me, don’t you? Come on. Let’s go have some fun, okay?”
1
She expected Zack to react as he usually did, cheerfully running over after a little coaxing. But this time, Zack hesitated, his small hands clenching into fists before he shook his head.
“Joanna, I don’t want to hang out with you anymore. Every time we go out, all you care about is shopping for makeup and clothes.
“I hate those places. I just want to stay with Mom now.” Zack’s voice was steady, and he held his gaze firm.
Byron’s brows furrowed deeply at Zack’s words, his gaze turning complicated as it landed on Joanna.
Joanna’s face stiffened, and she awkwardly tried to explain, “Byron, ever since Sylvia came back, Zack has been acting so different. He’s not as close to me anymore, and now he’s even lying to make excuses.”
Byron’s expression darkened instantly, his tone sharp and commanding. “Zack, get over here! Do you really think staying here means she’ll have time for
you?”
“If Mom is too busy to play with Zack, I can play with him instead!” Ruby suddenly chimed in, her big, sparkling eyes filled with innocent excitement. Her sweet, high–pitched voice carried sincerity..
Zack’s face lit up when Ruby spoke. Her cheerful offer made him even more determined to stay. ‘Here, I’ve got Mom and Ruby. But with Dad, it’s just strict punishments and endless lessons. Joanna only shops. It’s not fun at all,‘ he thought.
Sylvia watched as Zack made his choice, a wave of relief washing over her. ‘It looks like Zack is finally starting to understand what really matters,‘ she thought.
“You have no customers at all. Agree to my terms, and I’ll make sure every hospital here buys your medical patches!” Byron sneered, his gaze sweeping over the deserted booth with a mocking smirk.
The reason Sylvia’s booth was deserted was because of Joanna’s dirty tricks. She had spread rumors everywhere, claiming Sylvia’s medical patches
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Chapter 43
contained harmful steroids, scaring off potential customers.
“Come on, everyone! Don’t miss out! My mom’s medical patches are the best in the world!” Ruby clambered onto the table, her pigtails bouncing as the waved her arms excitedly.
Sylvia let out a wry smile and reached out to pull Ruby down, but before she could, Ruby’s cheerful shout had already turned heads.
At first, no one cared about the medical patches. They were
Dressed in a white dress and red shoes, she looked like a living do
Byron’s face darkened, his plan to corner Sylvia completely
in by Ruby’s irresistible charm.
her cuteness melting hearts.
by this little troublemaker.
Ruby, energized by the growing crowd, raised her voice even louder. “Everyone, my mom’s medical patches are amazing! Don’t believe me? Try them for yourselves!”
Her cheerful call sent a ripple through the crowd, drawing people toward the booth like a magnet.
Byron’s temple throbbed as he finally snapped, “Let’s go.”
”
Joanna followed reluctantly, glancing back repeatedly as if terrified someone might actually buy Sylvia’s medical patches.
A middle–aged man couldn’t hold back his curiosity. Pointing at the medical patches, he asked Sylvia, “Miss, your daughter says these medical patches are amazing. How can you prove they really work?”
