Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 197

Chapter 197

Matty had always been afraid of water, but his dad had taken him to see many therapists. The fear had eased, bit by bit, until now it was almost gone.

He’d even been thinking, maybe in a little while, he could ask Sharon to teach him how to swim.

Theo stood by the shore, staring at him in a daze. The image flashed in his mind-Matty deliberately falling, deliberately hurting himself-and the way his mother had looked at him then, full of worry and pain.

With a scoff, Theo said, “Hmph. Faking weakness? Anyone can do that. You jump, I’ll jump too.”

Let’s see who Mom ends up taking care of.

Then, without another word, he leapt in after Matty.

He forgot, though. He could swim.

Now he just stood there awkwardly in the water, not sure what to do. The fury that had built up inside him fizzled out like a match drowned in a lake.

At that moment, Matty’s weak voice drew Sharon’s attention back.

“Sharon, I feel awful…”

him, “Hang in there, Matty.

at her sleeve, his grip desperate. “Don’t go,

him. “I won’t. I’ll stay right here with

face finally relaxed. And then-he

shifted instantly, panic flaring

Matty, unconscious

guy was such a faker. Always playing the victim, always trying

But the worst part?

Matty pretending and decided he

If faking it was the game,

Matty could pass

He collapsed.

but he was

and Theo suddenly limp in the water, she was pulled in two

returned just then and took Matty from her

rush over to check on Theo. She found he was mostly fine-just fainted, it seemed-and finally

long after,

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