Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 122

Chapter 122

Theo’s gaze flickered, refusing to meet Sharon’s eyes.

“I… I didn’t know there were nuts in the cake.”

Sharon pressed on. “Even if you didn’t know about the nuts, don’t you know you’re lactose intolerant? You shouldn’t be eating

cake at all.”

Theo’s face twisted into a frown. “It was just one little bite.”

“That one little bite nearly cost you your life,” Sharon said quietly.

The warmth Theo had felt earlier toward his mother began to twist into irritation, frustration simmering beneath his skin.

“You and Matty get to eat whatever you want. Why can’t I? It’s only because you’re always telling me what I can’t eat, what I shouldn’t touch, that I get curious. That’s why I want to eat those things even more!”

Sharon’s brow furrowed. “I’m only thinking of your health-”

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her off sharply. “No, you’re just using that as an excuse. Pretending it’s out of love so you can control me! Every day it’s ‘I’m doing this

to

Theo’s breath caught.

had told him: everyone deserves freedom and respect. That it didn’t matter if someone was older, or even

his mom never

no. Said it was for his own

boy.” Someone who’d listen

“That’s how I feel. It’s

had poured cold water over

the guilt, the stubborn tenderness Sharon had clung to through the long night vanished in

him and asked, quietly, “Then tell me,

Words poured out

like a little kid anymore. And just because you gave birth to me doesn’t mean you get to use that

he

distant, as still as water. Nothing

His voice grew smaller. Suddenly, he

“And

for now,” he

nodded slowly. “I can do what

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