Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 196

Chapter 196

Theo had been raised under a strict, elite education from the very beginning.

Swimming-one of the most basic survival skills-was something he had mastered when he was just a few years old. In his kindergarten, swimming was a required course. In certain situations, it could mean the difference between life and death for a child. They even held swimming competitions during final exams.

Matty, on the other hand, hadn’t yet learned how to swim. Last year, he’d accidentally fallen into the ocean, and the trauma had left him with a deep fear of water. Still, he knew it was something he had to overcome. He’d made up his mind to learn before the end of the semester-to face that fear, head-on.

Sharon had encouraged him when she heard.

Theo froze, his breath suddenly uneven.

Right. He had forgotten. He could swim.

Just moments ago, he had followed them-shadowed their steps-only to be caught by Matty.

“Theo,” Matty had said. “You really followed us all the way here? After trailing behind us this whole time… what’s it feel like?”

Theo had already been seething, watching the way Matty and Sharon interacted, so naturally close. It drove him mad.

No matter how nice she is to you, you’ll never take my place. I can call her Mom. You can only call her Sharon. That’s the difference between us. She’s ignoring me right now because she’s mad. That’s all. You? You’re just a substitute. You want to

Matty’s eyes narrowed.

provoke Theo, and sometimes succeeded in getting Sharon to side with him. But deep down, he knew-Theo still held a bigger

Still, he wasn’t worried.

he had enough time-if he was good enough to her-eventually, he would become the one she cared

emotions like adults could. Knowing something in your head was one thing. Hearing it out loud-those harsh, cruel

go running back to Sharon and threw a few sweet words her way…she might just come back

couldn’t let that happen.

wouldn’t let her be taken

the lake nearby. Suddenly, an idea sparked.

stairs to frame

that video, Sharon would’ve been blamed. By both Theo

idea clicked

you,

blinked, caught off guard. “A secret?

the lake.