Shining with My Ex–husband’s Enenty
Chapter 21 A Mother’s Worth
Fi
Amélia frowned, looking at Hannah with disbelief. “Are you trying to say it was you? Mrs. Ford, don’t vain. You’re just a housewife with no income–how could you possibly influence the company’s foundation? Even if you say it, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Hannah’s expression darkened. “A full–time wife may not earn a paycheck, but that doesn’t mean her isn’t valuable. Do you know the salaries of professional nannies, tutors, home organizers, therapists, emotional support coaches, and chefs? A full–time wife does all of that for her family, yet her husband refuses to compensate her accordingly. That’s not the wife’s failure–it’s the husband’s incompetence. Amelia, you’re blaming the wrong person. Instead of criticizing full–time wives, why don’t you hold incapable husbands accountable for their hypocrisy?”
With that, she grabbed Ethan’s hand and turned to leave. But after a few steps, she paused and glanced back.
“Amelia, you were only able to leave the village because of financial aid. You, of all people, should understand the power of women. You can pretend not to understand the foundation’s purpose, but let give you a piece of advice–don’t limit your vision. If you do, you’ll never grow beyond where you are
now.”
She held Ethan’s hand and walked down the hill. A gentle breeze rolled in, and the setting sun stretched her shadow long against the ground.
Amelia stood there, trembling.
She didn’t even understand why those few words had ignited a long–forgotten fire in her heart.
Chester, still crying, asked, “Madam Amelia, why didn’t you stop my mom?”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it struck Amelia like thunder,
When she was a child, her small mountain village had once bought a beautiful woman. That woman had been beaten half to death, but she never gave in. In the end, she had used sheer willpower to escape.
Amelia had admired her deeply. In her heart, she had prayed for that woman to find a better future.
But her father, along with the village elders, had been furious.
“Why didn’t you catch her?”
“Find her! If she’s caught, kill her! She can’t be allowed to escape!”
She had watched those men’s twisted, vicious faces and had nightmares for weeks.
That was when she vowed to escape that village.
And now, that same monstrous demand echoed in Cheter’s voice.
She stared at him in shock.
“Why should I stop her? Whether she wants to separate or divorce, that’s her choice.”
Chester instartly became agitated, pounding on her ba
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Chapter 21 A Mother’s Worth
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“No! She’s my mom! She’s supposed to stay home and take care of me! She’s supposed to love only me! I don’t care–I want my mom! I want her back!“:
His high–pitched screams rang through the air. Amelia’s temples throbbed from the noise.
Just then, Christian’s call came through.
“Where did you take Chester?”
Amelia glanced at Chester, who had finally stopped crying, and lowered her voice. “He was upset, so took him out for a walk.
“Alright, bring him home soon. Thanks for watching him–I’ll be back by nine.”
Amelia hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Mr. Ford, on the 20th, there’s an event for the foundation. They need you to attend the ribbon–cutting ceremony.”
“That’s a small matter. Just go in my place.”
“But one of the attendees is Kelly–the woman you once sponsored.”
Her grip tightened around the phone.
Years ago, Kelly had written a letter to thank her benefactor, and he had even written back. That was how she had learned that Christian was the one who had funded her education. To this day, Kelly still kept in touch with her benefactor through email.
So when Amelia brought it up, she knew Christian, despite his reluctance, would at least acknowledge it.
Her heart clenched with unease.
If Hannah really was the true founder of this foundation, she wouldn’t even know how to face herself anymore.
Christian’s silence felt endless, making her more and more nervous.
“That day is Chester’s kindergarten open house. I’ve already cleared my schedule.”
He actually explained himself.
Amelia breathed a sigh of relief.
Christian was a family man, ambitious in his career, and personally involved in his child’s education. A man like that, who cared so much about his own child, would naturally be kind enough to help others.
Hannah must have been trying to provoke her with these words earlier.
She needed to expose Hannah’s façade.
As if sensing that she was on the phone with Christian Chester finally stopped crying, Amelia bent down and picked him up.
Mr. Chester let’s endiame
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Chapter 21 A Mother’s Worth
After hearing Christian’s explanation, she even felt a little guilty toward Chester.
After all, he was just a five–year–old child. How could I compare him to the cruel men
from my old will
Chester pouted. “Why didn’t you tell dad what happened? If dad says something, Mom will have to apologize to me!”
Amelia was caught off guard. “Huh?”
Finis
“Mom was talking back to you the whole time. Doesn’t that make you mad? She’s always scolding me too it’s so annoying!”
Just moments ago, he had been crying for his mom. Now, he was complaining about her.
Amelia couldn’t understand the logic of a child’s mind.
After a moment, she said, “It’s fine. She just has too much pride and doesn’t want me to look down on her so she said those things,”
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Shining with My Ex–husband’s Enenty
Chapter 22 A Bond Unbreakable
