The day I returned from my exchange at Columbia University, I received an unfamiliar call as soon as I landed. Although the caller used a voice changer, I could still tell it was a very young girl on the other end. She cursed me, calling me a shameless hussy. I tho- ught it was a wrong number and hung up. The phone didn’t ring again.
The next day, Liam was absent from my class. Sarah Thompson sat in the back rows, her face very pale. I thought it was probably just a lovers‘ quarrel and they would be fine in a few days. Sure enough, the day after, they were back to being inseparable.
The turning point came one night. I finished writing a paper, lay in bed, and replied to messages. A new friend request appeared in
my contacts.
[Too old to be this slutty, seducing someone’s boyfriend!]
[If you’re so desperate for a man, just say so. I’ll find you some.]
[How many will satisfy you?]
I assumed it was a case of mistaken identity. I didn’t want to waste my time and energy on such pointless matters, so I ignored it. But then, as if compelled, I clicked into Sarah Thompson’s social media. She had recently posted a photo with Liam. That shouldn’t
have been her. My heart eased slightly.
But soon after, I began receiving disturbing packages. Fabric dolls covered in needles, or dead rats. I chose to report them directly to the police. The police quickly identified the perpetrator. It was Sarah Thompson. The cursing WeChat message was from a new burner account she had registered. I guessed she had misunderstood my relationship with Liam. So, I delicately explained, “Liam and I, it’s not what you think.” I paused, then added, “He… is my sister’s child.” I still didn’t want to admit he was my son.
Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Then you’re his aunt, but why did he never tell me?”
“His mother and I had a falling out years ago, and we cut ties. So he didn’t want you to know.” I saw her tears, and my heart ached. “I’m sorry, Professor Martin.” Sarah wept uncontrollably. Seeing her like that, I ultimately chose to let the matter rest. The police
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“His mother and I had a falling out years ago, and we cut ties. So he didn’t want you to know.” I saw her tears, and my heart ached. *I’m sorry, Professor Martin.” Sarah wept uncontrollably. Seeing her like that, I ultimately chose to let the matter rest. The police officer gave her a verbal reprimand and sent her back to school.
But I never expected that this moment of kindness would plant a ticking time bomb in my life.
