Chapter 19
Jemma didn’t hoish her sentence, but her sneaky look implied Puby was Sylvia’s server kid with the mystery guy
Byron’s mind raced to Ruby’s cute face He’d had doubts before the timing didn’t add up pory nerve been born during his marriage to bylvia, but they’d always used protections
So, he Bgured, bylvia had cheated on him the whole nine
Anger exploded in his chest. He jumped up and stormed over to sylvia, grading her wrist
“Sylvia! Who was that guy?” Byron growled
Sylvia hadn’t expected Byron here she pulled her arm free, glaring “Byron, why do you care?
His lips curled into a cold smirk I don’t care about your life, sylvia, but I want the truth Whose kid is that girl you brought back! That guyor
Joanna slid in, her voice all sweet “Sylvin, even if you stepped our during your marriage, just be honest with Byron Don’t worry, he won’t hold in against you”
Sylvia saw Joanna’s plan–stirring up Byron’s anger to make things worse
Then Sylvia laughed, her eyes sharp as they met Byron’s “What if the kid’s yours?”
Byron froze, his scowl softening
He knew i–sylvia, the stay–at–home mom, wouldn’t cheat on him. His voice softened. “If that’s true, raising a kid alone is tough. Bring her to our place tomorrow My mom can help
ylvia almost laughed What a slick move–send Ruby to the Blairs, and she’d never get her back
Joanna blinked, then chimed in, all smiles “Yeah, Sylvia, let the Blairs take care of her! I’ll help out with Byron’s mom when I cant
Byron, Sylvia’s voice turned ice–cold, “you really think she’s yours? Let me make it dear–that girl has nothing to do with you. The guy I met just now is her dad”
Byron looked stunned “You you really cheated on mer
“Whir Sylvia sneered, her eyes full of mockery, “You get to cozy up with Joanna, but I can’t move on?
Joanna’s face went pale. She stuttered, “Sylvia, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not trying to fight your Cat we all just get along
Sylvia laughed coldly. “Get along?”
Sylvia’s jaw tightened as old wounds reopened. She raised her hand and slapped Joanna hard across the face.
་།
Juantor’s eyes widened, a flash of anger crossing them before she collapsed dramatically th the floor
“Sylvia! How dare you touch her! Wyron yelled, rushing to Jounna’s side. He gently lifted her onto a chair, calling her name with growing panic.
But Joanna stayed limp, eyes closed, not moving an inch.
He spam to Sylvia “You’re a doctor, aren’t you? Do something! If anything happens to Joanna, you’re finished!”
Sylvia looked at Joanna’s fake faint, her lips curling into a scornful smile. What a pathetic act!
“Fine, Fli take care of it,‘ she said, her voice cold
Moments later, bylvia came luck with a pitcher of water and dumped it right over Joanna’s face,
Joanna streamed, shooting upright, frantically wiping the cold water off her face
Byron’s face darkened “bylvia, are you insane?
Joanna realizing her fake faine was ruined, scramdded to recover Byron, don’t blame Sylvia
‘shes wwake. My pre done sylvia grabbed her purse and walked out without looking back.
Justina’s fare twisted with fury, het weakup smeared, her birdelay wrecked the looked like a soaked meza.
178
4:12 PM
Chapter 19
After changing and fixing her makeup, Joanna expected Byron to stay for her birthday. But when she came out of the bathroom, he was gone.
Byron’s run–in with Sylvia had left him too shaken to play the loving boyfriend.
He’d only sent Joanna a quick text: [Don’t forget Zack’s parent–teacher conference this afternoon.]
That afternoon, Sylvia went to Francisco Memorial School, putting the morning’s drama behind her.
She stood outside the Class–Two classroom window, watching Ruby.
Ruby sat quietly at her desk, her eyes fixed on the teacher, her cheeks pink and impossibly adorable,
Ruby, sly as always, waited until the teacher looked away. She slid her little hand under the desk, grabbed a piece of bread, and popped it into her mouth.
She chewed like a happy chipmunk, her eyes squinted with joy.
Sylvia caught the whole thing and shook her head, a warm smile pulling at her lips, her heart full of love.
Seeing Ruby settle so well into kindergarten cased a big worry for Sylvia.
She turned and left the kindergarten wing, but as she passed a nearby classroom building, a boy froze at the stairwell.
It was Zack, his eyes wide, his face shocked as he stared at Sylvia.
Three years had gone by since he’d last seen her.
The moment he knew it was her, he ran toward her without thinking.
“Why’d you come back? Why didn’t you come find me?” he yelled.
Zack stopped in front of Sylvia, looking up. His whole body shook.
He’d promised himself he wouldn’t cry, but his red, teary eyes gave him away.
Sylvia hadn’t expected to see Zack at school. This was her own son, after all.
His words hit hard, stirring guilt in her chest.
*Something you need?” she asked, her voice calm as she remembered how he’d hurt her before, her eyes growing distant.
Zack’s fists clenched, tears falling freely now. His voice broke as he yelled, “You’re the worst mom ever!
“Every kid has their mom at the parent–teacher conference, but not me! You’re so selfish. I hate you!”
“You’ve got Joanna, don’t you? Weren’t you always begging for her to be your new mom?” Sylvia fired back, her tone cold.
Zack cried out, “Yeah, I do like Joanna! She’s way better than you!”
Zack’s words were bold, but his heart hurt. As he’d grown up, he’d realized one thing: he only had one mom in the world.
Selfish or not, she was still his mom.
He was crying his eyes out now, waiting for her to pick him up and comfort him like she used to.
But Sylvia didn’t move. “Then let Joanna come to your parent–teacher conference,” she said flatly
With that, she walked past him coldly, not out of meanness but because he’d broken her heart too many times.
Zack bit his lip hard, telling himself over and over that he hated her. But as she walked away, he couldn’t help it. He rushed forward, wrapping his arms tightly around her leg
“You’re not leaving this time?” he growled.
