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?”

time. Tells me what I can

me and your

my mommy treated me half as well as you do,

Kelly indulged him, spoiled him, and let him do

manage his condition, she made sure he went to bed on time every night. With his weak digestive system, she never let him touch outside junk

finally became stronger and no longer

process, he’d grown more and more

out the door when Theo’s voice suddenly called

“Mommy.”

Sharon turned around.

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

split second. Then, something

closed her eyes and smiled faintly—without a

to protect Kelly, haven’t you? From now

flicker of confusion passed through Theo’s eyes. He

didn’t explain. She simply turned

…

Cohen’s car was already waiting

the trunk, Wendy looked at her. “Sharon…

small

“And… what about Theo?”

I couldn’t win against Carter.” Sharon gave a bitter smile. “And besides… Theo might not even

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 some homewrecker is better than his

calmly, “That just proves they’re father and son. Even their taste in women

hesitated. “And Carter… does

her head. “He’s probably still

had owned a small apartment of her own. It had been a long time

up the space, Wendy suggested

gone shopping together since you had Theo. Want to hit the streets for

revolved solely around home

used to be. She had