Chapter 7 Evelyn’s Condition Worsened
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A week passed, and I had memorized all the work–related tasks and adapted to the workload here.
When I secured a big order for the first time, I felt a long–lost sense of stability and happiness. It was a feeling different from that brought by family. It was the feeling of having control over my future.
Late at night, after finishing my overtime, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. I thought it was one of my clients, but upon answering, I heard Daniel’s voice. “It’s me. Don’t hang up yet. Evelyn’s injury has worsened, and she needs surgery. She’s crying and wants to see you. Can you come?”
“Didn’t she just have a scratch? How could it worsen?”
Daniel’s voice carried guilt. “I’ve been busy taking care of Edith and Andy, so I hired a caregiver for Evelyn. Since I don’t visit often, the caregiver bullied her. The caregiver didn’t change Evelyn’s dressings properly and let her get wet. Over time, it became worse.”
He paused for a moment. “Evelyn has been crying, saying she wants to eat the cream cake you made. Can you…”
“I can’t,” I interrupted him. “I’m not your babysitter. I have no obligation to make her food in the middle of the night.”
“But Eual..
Chapter 7 Evelyn’s Condition Worsened
matters again. Also, since you refuse to sign the divorce
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agreement, I’ve found a lawyer and gathered evidence to file a lawsuit. You should soon receive a court summons. We’ll see
each other in court.”
He wanted to say something else, but I had already hung up the phone.
A few days later, Matthew’s parents went abroad for business and asked me to pick up Matthew after work and tutor him over the weekend.
But before it was time to get off school, Matthew’s teacher suddenly called me, saying Matthew had gotten into a fight at school and asked me to come.
When I arrived at the office, I saw a bruised Matthew and a crying Evelyn.
“Cee.”
“Mom.”
The two children looked at me at the same time.
Evelyn’s eyes instantly brightened. She opened her arms, feeling wronged yet proud, waiting for me to walk over and comfort her gently like before.
Matthew glanced at Evelyn, and then at me, his head hung low
in sadness.
I walked straight to Matthew, hugged him, and softly asked, “What happened? Can you tell me?”
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Matthew looked up at me in disbelief, and tears suddenly streamed down his face. “Cee, I thought you wouldn’t care about me.” He took out the wooden tiger I had given him a few days ago, now broken into two pieces. “I left it on my desk, and Evelyn said I stole it and tried to take it from me. When she couldn’t get it, she broke it. I got angry and fought with her.”
Evelyn shrieked, “This wooden sculpture can only be made by my mom! I love tigers, and I’m having a birthday next week. This is a gift she’s going to give me. You must have stolen it!”
“I didn’t. Cee gave this to me.”
“Uh–this lady, which student’s parent are you?” The teacher looked at me, puzzled.
“She’s my mom.” Evelyn ran over and held my hand.
I shook off Evelyn. “I’m Matthew’s tutor, here on behalf of his parents. As for Evelyn, I am about to divorce her father, and her custody belongs to him. From now on, you deal with Daniel regarding her.”
The teacher walked aside to call Daniel, asking him to come to the school.
I looked down at Evelyn, who was staring in disbelief at the hand that had just been shaken off. “Why? Mom, I’m your daughter.”
“I remember you said with your own mouth that I was just your babysitter and that Edith was your mother. I don’t deserve that title. Also, this wooden tiger sculpture was a gift for Matthew, not for you. Now, you apologize.”
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“I won’t.” Evelyn started crying again. “He took my mom away! The day you encountered the assailant, you only cared for him and not for me. Now you’re helping him. I hate him!”
“Evelyn,” I interrupted her coldly, “it’s p
Som taking me
away. It’s you who severed our mother–daughter relationship first.”
