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?”

the time. Tells me what I can and can’t do,

me and your mommy,

you! If my mommy treated me half as well

mother, Kelly indulged him, spoiled him,

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

years of meticulous care before he finally became stronger and no longer fell

he’d grown

door when Theo’s voice suddenly called after

“Mommy.”

Sharon turned around.

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

a split second.

closed her eyes and smiled faintly—without a

you? From now on, you can protect her

of confusion passed through Theo’s

explain. She simply turned and walked out of

…

was already

the trunk, Wendy looked at her. “Sharon…

a small nod. “Mm.

“And… what about Theo?”

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

in disapproval. “You almost 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

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

hesitated. “And Carter… does he know you’re

“He’s probably

married, Sharon had owned a small apartment of her own. It

cleaning up the space,

shopping together since you had

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

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