It was an ordinary Friday. I made Liam’s favorite hawthorn braised pork. I simmered Julian’s favorite chicken soup. I waited for
them to come home.
But it was all three of them who returned. Ashley and Julian, holding five–year–old Liam’s hands, were laughing and chatting. They
looked like a perfectly happy family of three.
“Mommy, I was very good at kindergarten today. You promised to reward me.”
I froze. When had I made such a promise to Liam? The next second, Ashley’s gentle voice chimed in. “Of course, darling. Mommy already prepared something for you.”
Julian looked up and saw me. My face must have been particularly pale. Otherwise, Julian wouldn’t have bothered to walk over and explain. “A few days ago, Ashley took Liam hiking. While resting at an old temple, the monk there said Liam and Ashley were mot- her and son in a past life.” He tried to sound reassuring. “So I let Liam call her his godmother. Don’t worry, no matter what, the fact
that you’re Liam’s biological mother won’t change.”
I curved my lips in a mocking smile. Such a forced excuse. And besides, ‘godmother‘ to ‘Mommy‘… that was a huge change.
Liam grumbled, displeased. “Mommy, if you don’t like it, I’ll just add names when I call people from now on. You’re Mommy Cassidy. and Godmother is Mommy Ashley.”
Chapter 2
20:37 C
I rose from the sofa. “No need. From now on, you’ll only have one mother.”
Julian’s voice rose. “Liam is only five years old. What could he possibly understand?”
I lowered my eyelids, thinking seriously for a moment. Then, I smiled and humored him. “Yes, he doesn’t understand. I don’t blame
him.” I didn’t want to argue with them. It was useless anyway.
But Ashley just had to seek attention. She tried to persuade me, “This is my fault. Let’s just say I’m not his godmother anymore.
Don’t get upset over such a small thing.”
I stared directly at her. Her face was rosy, her complexion healthy. She looked nothing like a sick person. Yet, Julian and Liam beli-
eved her implicitly. Seeing my silence, she stepped forward again to take my hand. “Cassidy, I don’t have much time left. When I’m
gone, Liam will still call you Mommy.” She paused, her voice choked with emotion. “I have no blessing in this life, I couldn’t marry
Julian. I just want to…” Here, she dissolved into sobs.
Liam, seeing her tears, stepped forward and wiped them away. “Mommy Ashley, don’t cry. Daddy won’t let you die.” She patted
Liam’s head, her expression one of consolation. Then, she looked at me with sorrow. “Don’t let a small matter ruin your mother–son
bond.”
A small matter? The child I had endured hours of agonizing labor to birth was going to call another woman, with no blood relation,
‘Mommy.‘ How utterly laughable.
I forcefully pulled my hand away from Ashley’s grip. She stumbled and fell to the floor. Julian helped her up, his voice cold. “Cassidy
Martin, you are utterly unreasonable.”
Liam went to hold Ashley’s hand. “Hmph, you’re just not as good as Mommy Ashley. You’re not as pretty or gentle. And she doesn’t
have any scars!”
At that moment, my heart felt as if it had been brutally pierced.
