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

softly, pulling something from her

do you

held up a small, worn amulet. The

brow twitched. Her breath caught, just for a

was the charm you prayed for, back when he was sick. Said you stayed knelt a whole day and night just to get

was quiet. “What exactly are you trying to

amulet a slight shake. “Theo said that after you brought this back, his fever started to break. He

Chapter 10

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fever. Nothing worked–no medicine, no physical

home.

younger sister, maybe had quietly suggested

to give up. Desperate, she turned to anything that offered hope, even if it meant placing her faith in the

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

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

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

revealing the emerald bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet shimmered softly, its pale

Sharon’s papils contracted sharply.

family heirloom. It was meant to be passed down to

her. Not even a little.

after she gave birth to Theo,

Madeline favored refined, high–born women. She didn’t think much

breakup with Kelly had been orchestrated

on

had ever truly accepted her. Even the household staff treated her with condescension, convinced she’d schemed her way into a wealthy

Madeline refused to see her. On holidays and family gatherings, she was

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

lower her guard, for

Sharon, but to Theo, instructing him to one

wife.

asked

Theo had refused.

this bracelet is for my future wife. If I

solemn little face had made her laugh