Chapter 22
Zack stood by the dining table, his small figure looking painfully alone under the soft light.
Sylvia clearly had no plan to let him stay for dinner. Not even a chair was set out for him.
He bit his lip, trying to hold back tears, but they fell anyway, streaming down his face.
He could’ve just walked out; he didn’t need to stay where he wasn’t wanted.
However, for some reason, his feet wouldn’t move. He stood there, stubborn, rooted in place.
“Mom, why don’t you let him eat with us?” Ruby blinked her big, innocent eyes in confusion.
She looked from Sylvia to the corner and said, “There’s a chair over there. You can grab it and join us!”
Zack didn’t move, like a hurt little animal, his eyes a mix of defiance and pain as he stared at Sylvia.
Sylvia gave Ruby a look. “Ruby, didn’t I say no talking during dinner?”
She handed her daughter a mug of warm milk.
Ruby glanced at Zack, then back at her mom, her little face puzzled. But she listened, sipping her milk quietly.
Sylvia looked at Zack, seeing tears silently rolling down his cheeks.
Without a word, she turned to the oven, grabbed the rest of the cheesy bread. After serving them on the table, she said to Ruby, “I’m full. I’m going upstairs.”
With that, she left the dining room, not giving Zack another look.
“Come join me!” Ruby chirped, her voice cheerful.
With her mom gone, Ruby jumped off her tiny chair and grabbed Zack’s hand.
“I’m not eating!” Zack snapped, his eyes red and swollen.
“You’ve got to eat! If you don’t, I’ll be mad!” Ruby said.
Her voice was soft but firm, hands on her hips.
Zack paused, then gave in with a nod.
“Fine, but only because you asked. Just a bite!” he grumbled, loud enough for the whole house to hear.”
He pulled over a small chair, sat down, and picked up a piece of cheesy bread.
The familiar taste hit him right away, and after one bite, tears welled up again.
When he was little, he ate this bread all the time but didn’t like it. He thought Joanna’s store–bought snacks were way cooler.
But now? This was the best bread ever, because Sylvia made it, even if she didn’t want him here.
He’d planned to take just one bite, but soon he was devouring it, unable to stop.
Sylvia stood just outside the dining room, hidden by the wall, watching. Her face was hard to read, full of mixed emotions.
Her heart wasn’t as tough as she’d thought. Quietly, she slipped upstairs.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, loud and sharp.
Sylvia opened the door to find Byron standing there, his face cold as ice.
“Where’s Zack” he asked
Sylvia pointed toward the dining room. “In there. You can take him”
Byron’s eyes narrowed.
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Chapter 22
Zack was supposed to go straight home after school, but he’d told the driver he was visiting a friend.
So this was where he’d ended up.
He scoffed, “Sylvia, using your daughter to lure Zack here? Don’t you think that’s a bit low?
“Let’s not forget, you gave up custody of Zack three years ago. You’ve got no right to see him.”
Sylvia let out a sharp laugh. “Mr. Blair, you’re overthinking it. Why don’t you ask your precious son if I’ve been trying to kick him out since he got
here?”
That was true. She’d been pushing Zack away.
Byron’s chest tightened.
He’d thought Sylvia came back to town to take Zack from him, but he hadn’t expected this coldness from her.
Just then, Zack shuffled out of the dining room. He stole a glance at Sylvia, quickly wiping a bit of cream from his mouth.
“Zack, what’s going on? Did she trick you into coming here?” Byron asked, his voice hard.
Zack hesitated, sneaking another look at Sylvia.
If he said this awful woman had lured him here, his dad would make her pay.
And he was sure she deserved it for treating him so badly.
“Zack, I’m right here. Tell me the truth. Don’t be scared,” Byron said, his eyes narrowing, a mocking smirk on his lips.
He’d started to think Sylvia could be heartless, but it now seemed to be all an act. She still couldn’t let go of Zack, just like before.
Sylvia glanced at Zack too, but she stayed quiet, letting him choose.
Zack looked up, tears running down his face, and blurted out, “Dad, I’m sorry–I came to see her on my own!”
Crying hard, he ran out the door.
Byron’s face darkened. He stormed after him, his steps quick and angry.
He said as he walked, “Zack! Didn’t I tell you you’re not allowed to see her anymore? She’s abandoned you a long time ago!”
Zack froze, his mind a mess. Slowly, he turned, tears streaming down his cheeks. “But… I miss her!”
Byron’s anger surged, frustration burning inside him. He grabbed Zack’s shirt, lifting him like a toy and setting him in the car.
His sharp face turned cold, ready to give Zack a stern talk.
‘What’s there to miss about that cold–hearted woman?‘ he asked himself, silently.
But then he saw Zack’s red, swollen eyes, and his anger melted. He reached out, gently wiping the tears from his son’s face, his voice softening.
He said gently. “Hey, don’t be sad. How about we watch a movie later? There’s a new cartoon out…”
Zack usually came home to a tutor waiting, with no time for things like movies. That proposal should’ve been exciting, but he shook his head. “Dad, I don’t want to.”
Byron could see the pain weighing on his son. He signaled the driver to go, staying quiet, lost in thought.
Sylvia’s life didn’t change because of Zack’s visit.
To her, this boy, swayed by the Blairs and Joanna, hadn’t cared for her even when she’d given him everything three years ago. There was no hope now either.
Ruby seemed to sense her mom’s mood, though she didn’t quite get it.
Sweetly, she kept her distance, not wanting to upset Sylvia. She curled up with a comic book for a while before climbing into her little bed and falling asleep
The next day at lunch, Ruby sneaked some cheesy bread and bear cookies from home and hurried to Zack’s classroom
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Chapter 22
“My mom wanted me to bring these for you!” Her voice was soft and cheerful.
Truth was, Sylvia didn’t know any of that; Ruby just wanted to make Zack happy again.
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