Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

James might be small, but he sure knows how to make a point.

"Why didn't you come to pick me up with Dad if you're supposed to be my mom?"

Caroline's face fell, clearly displeased but struggling to keep her cool.

She forced a smile, "Well, not before, but James, from now on, I'm going to be your mom."

"Why?" James was confused. "I don't like you. I don't want you to be my mom!"

He stood up, ready to leave.

But Caroline grabbed him, her patience running thin as she stared him down.

"Listen, James! I'm marrying your dad, and that means I'll be your mom!"

James, frightened by her tone, wriggled free, "No! I don't want this!"

And with that, he ran off, bumping straight into Sylvia's arms. Sylvia embraced her little great-grandson, asking, "What's wrong, James?" It was clear the boy was scared.

"James!" Caroline followed, anger written all over her face. Seeing Sylvia, she paused, "Grandma."

"Great-grandma."

James burrowed into Sylvia's embrace, turning his back to Caroline.

message couldn't be

the entire Johnson family knew

"Don't be scared, James."

cooed, feeling sorry for the boy who was born into the Johnson family with a silver spoon yet ended up feeling so

all the hardships and unfairness James had faced, Sylvia wished she could do more to show him

James, with me around, no one's

flared, "Grandma! What are

what I meant... It's just James is still so young, only three. He's grown up without

her face turning from red to

knew well how much the

by the Johnson family because she had once

the

ss, she hadn't expected

to shift so

always be just that in the Johnson

"What's going on here?"

commotion,

"Dad!"

from Sylvia's hold and stood up

I'm sorry!" His voice

glanced at Francis, hoping for

broke Francis'

young, yet already so adept