Chapter 4
The second the cops bounced, I got a text from Mom.
“Mia, honey, your sister hit us up. She said she’s working outta town. Your dad and I are way too old to raise a baby–just treat him like your own.”
I shot back right away: “Mom, what are you even saying? I got a boyfriend now. When we get married we’ll have our own kids. No freaking way I’m taking that baby!”
She didn’t mention what went down today.
So I just played dumb.
From that day on? Never talked to Mom and Dad again.
Marcus was seriously good to me.
After six months we got engaged.
On our wedding day I invited Mom, Dad, and all our people.
Right after that we moved to a branch office.
Marcus opened his restaurant there too.
From then on, except holidays, I never went back home.
Even when I did visit? Quick in and out.
Then I had my daughter. Then two years later my son–perfect pair.
My son was brilliant from day one.
At fifteen? Got into Harvard’s early program. When the news dropped, our whole family went nuts.
Marcus went all out. Brought me and the kids back to our hometown for this huge celebration!
All our friends and relatives showed up. Mom and Dad too.
My son William was only fifteen but tall as hell. Looked about the same size as my daughter.
This made Mom and Dad think he was Sophia’s kid.
Mom grabbed my son’s hand and patted it. “If Sophie knew her boy turned out this successful, she’d be so proud!”
“Mom, why you bringing up Sophie on such a good day? Did she come back?”
Mom’s eyes flickered. “No! She didn’t come back!”
“All these years and she’s never visited you two. Something bad probably happened. I heard when people just vanish like that? They’re usually gone for good!”
Over the years I’d heard tons of relatives talking trash about Sophia.
With some help from me and the neighbors, everyone knew Sophia had a baby and bailed. Never even came home for holidays.
Chapter 4
But I knew Mom and Dad were secretly talking to her this whole time.
Hearing me say this, Mom’s face went dark.
Her shrill voice cut through the whole hall: “Stop talking nonsense! Sophia’s alive and well!”
Suddenly everyone’s staring at us. Mom looked embarrassed as hell.
I smiled. “Sounds like you and Sophie still talk, Mom. Why doesn’t she go find her son?”
“But… Dumping her own kid like that–she’s probably not doing great. Whatever, I won’t talk about
today.”
Mom looked relieved but opened her mouth like she wanted to explain.
I waited. She stayed quiet.
The last bit of hope I had for her? Dead.
In my past life, when that ungrateful brat made it big, Sophia came back.
This time was the same–knew she’d show up today.
Just wasn’t sure when.
But I didn’t care anymore.
‘Cause with my son getting into Harvard. They sent teachers over. Plus reporters.
All eyes on our table right now.
My son took the stage as today’s star. When he stood up there, Mom and Dad didn’t even realize he was only 15.
Meanwhile, Sophia’s bastard kid–if he was even still alive–would be like eighteen now.
They hadn’t figured that out yet. Just kept looking at their phones. I smirked and squeezed Marcus’s hand. We shared
a
yok.
My son stood on stage: “Getting into Harvard, the person I’m most grateful for is my mom. Without her support? I definitely wouldn’t have made it.”
“Mom, come up here!”
My son waved me over.
moothed my dress and was about to go up when I heard someone yell:
She’s not your mother! She doesn’t deserve to be up there!”
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