Chapter 4
I figured Morton was just being cautious. After all, he had some savings from a lifetime of work, but I wasn’t too invested in it.
“Okay, I get it. But I have some important things to take care of right now. Can we touch base later?” I replied.
The caller sounded surprised. “Are you sure you don’t want to take a look at what your grandfather left you in the will?”
“Maybe later,” I said, maintaining my calm demeanor.
To me, with Morton gone, whatever he left behind felt like just stuff–material possessions that didn’t hold much value.
I had recently entered a prestigious design competition, using a sketch that Rebecca hadn’t submitted yet. Just a while ago, she’d mentioned she would be competing too.
Before long, I checked the website and discovered I had made it
to the finals, alongside Rebecca’s name on the list.
We were required to submit a new design piece.
As I opened my laptop to get to work, the doorbell rang.
Jackson walked in, holding Barry’s hand.
Barry rushed into my arms. “Mommy!”
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His sudden hug caught me off guard, a wave of warmth washing
over me.
Jackson followed closely behind, holding a tiramisu from my favorite bakery.
“The owner isn’t there anymore, but I tracked her down and had her make this just for you,” he said, lingering in the doorway, clearly waiting for an invitation.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked, noticing I wasn’t budging.
Barry tugged on Jackson’s hand, pulling him inside.
Jackson stood tall, his tone shifting to something more serious. “Just drop out of the competition. I can support you and our son now.”
I was taken aback by his audacity.
Jackson spoke as if he were doing me a favor, looking down on me like I was beneath him.
“Jackson, are you really asking me to quit because you’re worried I’ll steal Rebecca’s thunder? Support me? What does that even mean? Am I your mistress now?”
“Rebecca and I are not legally married,” he replied, and I felt a flicker of confusion.
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“Then that makes it even worse! You’re stringing along two women. without any commitment!” I shot back, disgusted.
“Rebecca is just a placeholder. She’s willing to sacrifice for Barry, but why won’t you?” Jackson argued, trying to turn the tables.
“Ha! So now Rebecca’s a saint? Good luck with that! You two deserve each other. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave!”
I tried to usher him out, but he wouldn’t budge. “Emilia, being strong–willed doesn’t get you anywhere. Rebecca is just my nominal wife, but we’re still us!”
I mused, “So, he wants Rebecca to be his public wife while I remain his real one?”
The absurdity of it all was laughable.
Barry suddenly appeared out of nowhere, his demeanor shifting from friendly to petulant as he insisted Jackson take him away. He said, “I don’t like it here! Dad, let’s go!”
His hands were clenched around something, and when our eyes met, Barry quickly looked away, clearly guilty.
Jackson’s cold gaze fixed on me. It felt like a warning. “Emilia, just drop out of the competition. It’s for the best. Do those empty accolades really matter more than what we have?”
I didn’t respond; there was no need for words.
Chapter 4
Jackson was the one who understood the stakes better than anyone. else, yet here he was, asking me again.
If I cared about those empty accolades, I would have been the most renowned designer three years ago.
Back then, I willingly sacrificed my career to support Jackson when he was just starting out. I had even gone to prison at the peak of my success for him.
And now, he had the audacity to question my priorities!
Barry, who had been quiet, suddenly said, “Daddy, don’t waste the cake!”
I walked over, grabbed the tiramisu, and placed it on Barry’s head. “There! Now it’s not wasted.”
“Emilia, he’s your son! How can you treat him like that?” Jackson protested.
“Oh? Well, if I can treat him this way, then I guess he’s not my son anymore. Please have your lawyer draft up a termination of parental rights. Goodbye!”
With that, I slammed the door shut, sealing off whatever fragile connection we had left.
