Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 10

Carter’s patience wore thin. His voice was cold and clipped. “That’s enough.”

Nate opened his mouth to speak again, but Kelly held him back, giving a small shake of her head.

“That’s enough, Nate. It’s fulliard’s birthday tonight. Let’s go.”

Nate caught the shift in Carter’s expression–dark and unreadable. He shut up and followed them in silence.

+25 BONUS

Inside the private room, Wendy had been planning to call in a few male escorts for the party. But Sharon firmly refused, leaving her no choice but to give up on the idea, albeit with obvious regret.

“The guys here are top–tier,” Wendy said wistfully. “Incredible bodies, killer abs… the kind that make you never want to let go once you’ve touched them. I’m telling you, it’s addictive.”

Sharon remained calm. “I’m planning to divorce Carter. I need to be careful right now. I don’t want to give them anything they can use against me.”

Wendy tapped her fingers on the table, thoughtful. “Makes sense. Wouldn’t want them flipping the script and playing the victim.

She was never the type to sit still for long. Since the models were out of the picture, she resorted to singing karaoke instead.

Time passed, though neither of them paid much attention to the clock. Sharon’s phone vibrated softly on the table. She glanced down. It was John.

She raised a finger at Wendy, mouthing a quick “hold on,” and stepped outside to take the call.

John wanted to talk about setting up his own studio. His contract with the agency was about to expire, and with Sharon considering a return to work, he figured it was the perfect time to start something new.

Sharon didn’t hesitate. She agreed on the spot.

After hanging up, she headed to the restroom. On her way out, she saw Kelly standing by the sink, touching up her makeup in

the mirror.

Their eyes met briefly. Sharon’s gaze was flat, uninterested, and she looked away.

She turned on the faucet, washed her hands, and was about to leave when Kelly called out.

“Sharon.”

turned. “What is

smiled softly, pulling something

do you

worn amulet. The

twitched. Her breath

when he was sick. Said you stayed knelt a whole day and night

exactly are you trying to

a slight shake. “Theo said that after you brought this back, his fever started to break. He got better. So now, he’s giving it to me–hoping it’ll

Chapter 10

+25 BONUS

old when he suddenly became gravely with a high fever. Nothing worked–no medicine, no physical

home.

sister, maybe had quietly suggested cuthanasia, just so Theo wouldn’t

turned to anything that offered hope, even if it

when she returned with that charm, Theo’s fever began to fade. Slowly, steadily, his condition improved. His health had only gotten

once told her, “This is the charm Mommy got for me. I’ll wear it

that one day, this same

emerald bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet shimmered softly, its pale green glow delicate and serene–yet

Sharon’s papils contracted sharply.

was Carter’s family heirloom. It was meant to be passed down to the

her. Not even a little. She never

birth to Theo, Madeline

women. She didn’t think

was said that Carter’s breakup with Kelly had been

on to

Even the household staff treated her with condescension, convinced she’d schemed her way

years after their wedding, Madeline refused to see her. On holidays and family gatherings, she

more and more like Carter, smart and

slowly began to lower

handed the emerald bracelet over–not to Sharon, but to Theo, instructing him to one day pass

wife.

had once asked to

Theo had refused.

for my future wife. If I lose it or break

solemn little face had made her