Chapter 8
I jerked my hand out of Harris’s grasp, feeling a surge of anger and hurt. “Don’t worry about me,” I said, my voice cold and detached. “I’m used to being insulted by your family.”
Harris’s face fell, and he took a step back, looking guilty. “Darcy, I—“}
But I didn’t let him finish. I turned and walked away, leaving him and his little family behind. I couldn’t bear to stay there any longer, watching Harris fawn over his mistress and her daughter.
As I walked away, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was glad to be free of Harris and his toxic family. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of hurt and betrayal. Harris had moved on with his life, and he had found a new family to love. But what about me? What about our son, Ethan?”
I quickened my pace, my heart racing with emotions. I needed to get out of there, to get away from the painful memories and the hurtful encounters.
As I walked, I felt a small hand slip into mine. I looked down to see Ethan looking up at me with big, curious eyes.}
“Mommy, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
I forced a smile onto my face, not wanting to worry him. “Nothing, baby,” I said. “Are you done playing with your friends?”
“Yes, Mommy,” he replied.”
“And the return gifts?” I asked,
“Given to everybody. They all liked it, Mommy. I also made a new friend today. He needs goggles. When we come here a second time, please buy goggles for him, Mommy.”
I nodded my head in agreement with a smile before adding,”Mommy’s just a little tired. Let’s go home, okay?“}
Ethan nodded while saying, “Okay.“}
We walked hand in hand, leaving the painful encounter behind us.
But as we reached the main entrance, we bumped into Harris, Cindy and Layla. Cindy smirked looking at me and deliberately wrapped her hands around Harris’s Arms, as if I cared. But, the little devil couldn’t hold herself watching me and whispered to Harris, “Da Da, look at that evil lady. She couldn’t take you from me. So, she is taking an orphan boy with her.“}
My hands clenched into fists. How dare she call my son an ‘orphan‘? I didn’t teach my son to use this word for an orphan as well. He always calls them ‘friend‘ or ‘buddy‘. But, like a mother, like a daughter. It seemed like she wasn’t taught well.
I was more worried about Ethan talking back to her because I knew my son. Though being only three years old, he never takes someone’s shit. But, to my surprise, he remained silent on this, only staring at her with a pair of bone–melting gaze. However, the girl didn’t stop here and immediately freed her hands from her father’s grip before she rushed up to Ethan, saying, “Where were you, orphan boy? I didn’t donate to you or take a selfie to post.”
“This is what you teach your daughter, to insult somebody like that and help others just to show off?” I snapped at Cindy. She gave me a sinister glance before she welled up tears in her eyes and turned to Harris, saying, “Harris, is it my fault that I had been in depression for the last three years and couldn’t teach her well? Layla is just a child who has been followed by the media everywhere because of her controversial background. Does she deserve to be called out like that?”
Harris‘ expression softened as he caressed Cindy’s hair, saying, “It’s not your fault, Cindy. Besides, Layla is just a kid. She will learn after growing up.“}
He then turned to me, his expressions losing the earlier softness and his tone not so gentle as he said, “You shouldn’t blame Cindy for Layla’s childish talk. Layla is just a child. How can you lecture Cindy on raising kids when you aren’t a mother yet?“>
Harris’s words passed chills down my spine. How could he even pass such a derogatory comment on me, assuming how I lost my child because of his mistake??
I clenched my fists in anger as I said angrily, “Yes, I’m not a mother, Harris. But whose fault is that? Do you remember?”
Harris bits his lips in realization. He seemed to realize only now what he just said to me. I saw a mixture of guilt and regret in his eyes as he whispered in a hoarse voice, “Darcy…”
“I’m not an orphan, you arrogant girl. You can keep your charity to yourself, I don’t need any.” Suddenly, Ethan’s cold voice echoed, making us turn to look at Ethan and Layla.”
Cindy immediately walked up to Layla and pulled her in her embrace before shooting a cold glance at Harris, saying arrogantly, “You bastard, how dare you scare my daughter like that?“}
