Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 2

Carter’s brows drew tightly together. He said quickly, “I’ll be right there,” then turned and strode off without so much as a glance back at Sharon.

Sharon stood still, expressionless, watching his retreating figure disappear into the darkness.

She’d lost count of how many times, in the middle of the night, he had left like this—rushing to Kelly’s side at the news of another so-called “critical condition.”

…

The next morning, Sharon wheeled out her neatly packed suitcase, ready to leave.

As she passed by Theo’s room, her steps faltered.

After a moment of hesitation, she decided to go in and see him one last time.

He had been born prematurely. Ever since then, Theo had been frail and prone to illness. Because of that, she had always cared for him personally, never trusting anyone else to take her place.

He looked a lot like Carter—right down to the cool, distant temperament.

It was a weekend. Theo wasn’t at school and was seated at his desk, working on his homework.

When she entered, he greeted her out of habit, “Morning, Mommy,” and went right back to writing without looking up.

Sharon gazed at the profile of his face—so much like Carter’s—and finally said, “Theo, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself.”

He responded with a flat “Oh,” eyes still glued to his paper.

Ever since Kelly had appeared in their lives, he had grown more and more distant from her.

She still remembered that video Kelly once posted on social media.

In it, Theo was munching on cotton candy as he mumbled through sticky lips, “I just like being with Kelly. I get to eat all kinds of yummy things.”

Then Kelly said, “Theo, is your mommy not good to you?”

I can and can’t do, won’t let

and your

mommy treated me half as well as you do, I’d be

indulged him, spoiled him, and let him do whatever he

made sure he went to bed on time every night. With his weak digestive system, she never

had taken years of meticulous care before he finally became

process, he’d grown more and

was almost out the door when Theo’s voice

“Mommy.”

Sharon turned around.

“You once said… the people Theo likes, Mommy will like too. I really like

a split second. Then,

her eyes and smiled faintly—without a

to protect Kelly, haven’t you? From now on, you can protect her

passed through Theo’s eyes. He didn’t understand

explain. She simply turned and walked out

…

Cohen’s car was

into the trunk, Wendy looked at her. “Sharon… you’ve really decided to

a small

“And… what about Theo?”

against Carter.” Sharon gave a bitter smile. “And besides… Theo might

died giving birth to him—labored through an entire day and night. You’ve been by his side ever since, doing everything for him. How could he think

“That just proves they’re father and son. Even their taste

does he

shook her head. “He’s probably still

Sharon had owned a small apartment of her own. It had been a long time since she’d lived

up the space, Wendy suggested they go

we haven’t gone shopping together since you had Theo. Want to hit the

solely around home and Theo. She’d lost herself, her time,

was suddenly reminded of who she used to be. She had once been just like her—full