13
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On the weekend, Ethan, his niece, and I went
to an amusement park. We saw Derek, Sarah,
and Alex. They looked distant, unlike before
my death. When Alex saw me hugging his
cousin, his face tightened. Sarah snapped.
“You brought your child with your boyfriend
to the amusement park? Stay away from my
husband and son!”
Before I could speak, Ethan replied coldly,
“Sarah, watch your words. This is my niece.
Don’t slander Lily.”
Sarah sneered, disbelieving. Alex broke free
from Sarah, going to me. He looked
desperate, begging, kneeling.
“Mom, come back… I’m sorry…” He was
trembling, his eyes red. This drew attention.
Derek approached, anxiously.
“Lily, if you come back, I’ll divorce Sarah.
Let’s start over.”
Sarah screamed. “Derek, what do you mean?
<
You begged me to marry you! You’ll abandon
me for her?!”
“Shut up! If you hadn’t manipulated things,
Derek and I wouldn’t be like this!”
They bickered fiercely. Alex remained
kneeling, looking at me with hope and
pleading. I never received an apology in my
last life. This was too late. The hurt and
betrayal had erased my feelings for them.
I knelt, calmly speaking to Alex. “You don’t
need to do this. My relationship with your
father and you is over. Your life is your own
choice. Don’t use morality to manipulate
anyone.”
I stood, taking my niece’s hand. “Let’s go.
Another amusement park.
While my niece was on the bumper cars,
Ethan and I sat on a bench. He was quiet,
watching me.
“Are you okay?”
I told him about Derek.
“So, Alex is your son with Derek?”
I nodded, sadly. “Yes, but Sarah raised him,
and he hated me. I tried to reconcile, but he
chose her. Now… I don’t need them.”
He hugged me tightly. “Lily, you’re the
strongest woman I know. You deserve better. The past was without me, but the future will
always have me.”
Alex came to the office a few times to
apologize, but I didn’t let him in. The damage
was irreparable. The mother–son bond was
severed.
