Chapter 37
The moment Lillian saw who was standing there–especially the look of displeasure on Brad’s face—she instinctively stepped back and hid behind Sally, a flicker of anxiety in her eyes.
Sensing the little girl’s fear, Sally didn’t answer the man right away. Instead, she bent slightly, gently comforting the child clinging to her side. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Nick’s brows furrowed as he watched Sally stroke the girl’s head with such tenderness. His mom had never treated any other kid like that before!
A wave of jealousy surged up inside him. He raised his voice, calling out, “Mom! Dad’s talking to you! Why aren’t you answering him?”
Sally’s gaze shifted back to the man, her tone calm as she replied to her son, but she didn’t let go of Lillian’s hand. “I didn’t quite catch what you said -come again?”
“Dad’s asking who that girl is,” Nick said, clearly annoyed. “Why are you holding her hand like that? Why are you being so nice to her?”
Just as Sally was about to speak, the man across from her cut in coldly. “So this is why you’re in such a hurry to divorce me? You’ve already found someone new?”
A chill swept over Sally’s face. Seemed that Brad had jumped to conclusions because of Lillian.
“Brad, don’t get ahead of yourself,” said Lena, tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s hear what Mrs. Zale has to say first.”
Lena’s voice was sweet, but Sally caught the flicker of smug satisfaction in the eyes. She turned a cold, steady gaze on Brad. “Who told you I found someone new?”
“If you didn’t, then where’d this kid come from?” Brad snapped. “What–she dropped out of the sky?”
Sally’s eyes narrowed. “If you’re incapable of talking properly, then just keep your mouth shut,” she snapped. “Dropped out of the sky‘? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Sally, it’s only been three years since you got out of prison. When did you turn into this?” Brad’s face twisted with anger. “You used to be gentle- respectful. You were sweet to me, to everyone in my family. Now look at you–sharp–tongued, hostile. What happened to you?”
Sally let out a cold laugh. So even now, he still had no clue what had changed her? She thought to herself.
“Maybe it’s because I finally came to my senses after losing everything,” she said flatly. “Or maybe it’s because the part of me that used to care got eaten by devils. Take your pick.”
Lena stepped in, fake sympathy oozing from her voice. “Mrs. Zale, there’s no need to speak to Brad like that. Even as an outsider, I can’t help but feel hurt hearing it.”
Sally didn’t even spare her a glance. She simply turned, about to lead Lillian back into the classroom, when Brad’s voice rang out behind her.
“Sally, you’re not going anywhere until you give me an explanation.”
Sally froze in her tracks. Brad’s loud voice startled Lillian, who immediately clung to Sally again, red–eyed and trembling.
Even at her age, Lillian could more or less grasp what was happening. She knew the man shouting at Sally was her husband.
*Explain what, exactly?” Sally said, turning back. “I’ve already filed for divorce. The papers are in your hands. What else do you want from me?”
She shifted to shield Lillian behind her. Her voice was tight with frustration, her eyes starting to redden with anger.
“But we’re not divorced yet, Brad barked. “I haven’t signed anything! And here you are, parading around with another man’s kid. If this gets out, it’s not just my face you’ll make a joke of–it’s the entire Zale family!”
Brad was practically shaking with rage. Before Sally could say a word, he pressed on.
“And that kid? She’s obviously not normal. Starts crying at the slightest thing. You’d abandon your own son just to take care of some mentally unstable child? What, did prison rot your brain?”
That was the last straw. Sally could take being insulted herself–but insulting the child? Especially right in front of her? That was just too much.
“She’s not mentally unstable,” she said coldly. “She’s just sensitive. So watch your mouth, Mr. Zale. If you say something that actually does damage your reputation or your family’s–don’t blame me when people start talking.”
“Mom, why are you saying that to Dad?” Nick stepped forward, pouting. “That girl is weird! Daddy’s not wrong!”
It was the first time Lillian had seen so many people turn against Sally. She looked terrified, wanting to help but too afraid to speak up.
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Chapter 37
Just then, she caught sight of someone familiar. A tall man was passing nearby. She knew his face–she had seen him somewhere.
She blinked, then tugged on Sally’s hand–and suddenly shouted, “Daddy!”
Her voice echoed across the playground, drawing everyone’s attention–including Jaxon’s. Frowning, he turned just in time to see Sally holding Lillian’s hand.
Sally was stunned too. She looked down at Lillian in disbelief, then up at Jaxon walking toward them.
Wait… did Lillian know Jaxon? She started to feel confused.
A memory flashed in her mind–Jaxon had once visited Sienna in the prison. And that day, Abigail had come to visit Sally too.
Jaxon hadn’t seen Lillian, but she’d seen him through the glass partition. If Sienna knew Jaxon… then of course Lillian would recognize him.
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