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.

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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.”

“What is

softly, pulling something from

you recognize

small, worn amulet. The design was

breath caught, just for a

back when he was sick. Said

was quiet. “What exactly are you trying to say,

back, his fever started to break. He got better. So now, he’s giving it to me–hoping it’ll

Chapter 10

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he suddenly became gravely with a high fever. Nothing worked–no medicine, no physical cooling. The doctors had exhausted every method. They even told the

home.

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

she turned to anything that offered hope, even if it meant placing her faith in

one could explain what happened. Whether it was coincidence or fate, when she returned with that charm, Theo’s fever began to fade. Slowly, steadily, his condition improved. His

on her for everything, he once told her, “This is the charm

imagined that one day, this same charm would end up in Kelly’s

to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing the emerald bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet shimmered softly, its pale green

Sharon’s papils contracted sharply.

was meant to be

Not even a little. She never even considered

gave birth to Theo, Madeline remained cold and

women.

was said that Carter’s breakup with Kelly had been orchestrated

go on to

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

years after their wedding, Madeline refused to see her. On holidays and family gatherings, she was forbidden from stepping foot

grow up–looking more and more like Carter, smart and charming–that

lower her guard,

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

wife.

once asked

Theo had refused.

said seriously, “Grandma said this bracelet is for my future wife. If I lose it or break

face had made her