Chapter 19
Vincent looked over.
“Mommy!”
Rowan waved excitedly as Vincent carried him toward Sophia.
Sophia reached out, pressing the back of her hand to his cheek.
His fever hadn’t gone down.
“What happened?” she asked, brow furrowed.
Vincent’s voice was flat. “He had some ice cream last night.”
Rowan shrank a little, fingers fidgeting guiltily.
Before Sophia could scold him, he reached toward her, trying to change the subject.
“Mommy, will you hold me?”
Sophia reflexively moved–but paused.
She was pregnant.
She lowered her hand and instead gently ruffled his hair.
“Mommy’s not feeling well today. Let Daddy hold you, okay?”
Rowan pouted.
This was the first time Sophia had refused to carry him.
Even when he was sick before, she’d always picked him up without hesitation.
Was she mad at him?
His eyes filled with unease.
“Mommy, are you mad at me?” he whispered. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have eaten the ice cream without telling you. I won’t do it again.”
Sophia had always been strict about cold food.
Rowan had asthma and a weak digestive system. His doctors had been very clear–no sweets, no junk food, no ice.
She was about to explain when Vincent interrupted.
“She’s not mad at you.”
His tone was certain. Like it was fact.
Like Sophia wouldn’t–or couldn’t–disagree.
Her lashes fluttered.
She said nothing.
“Really, Mommy?” Rowan looked at her, wide–eyed. “You’re not mad?”
Sophia forced a soft smile.
13:43
Chapter 19
“Of course not, baby.”
“Then….. can you stay with me today?” His voice cracked. “I don’t feel good. I want your soup.”
Sophia hesitated.
“…Okay.”
After seeing the doctor, they returned home with medicine. Rowan had a mild throat infection and was told to rest, stay hydrated, and eat lightly.
Vincent carried him upstairs to his room to nap.
Sophia went into the kitchen.
She made soup from scratch.
Half an hour later, she brought the tray upstairs.
The bedroom door was slightly open. She heard Rowan’s voice inside:
“Don’t worry, Mommy. The doctor said I’ll be fine after I take some medicine… It’s not your fault! I wouldn’t even know ice cream was that yummy if you hadn’t bought it for me!”
Sophia froze at the door.
Rowan’s voice kept going.
“Those cookies, chips, and lollipops were really good too! I’ve never had that much candy in my whole life!”
He laughed.
“Sophia–Mommy won’t be mad. She just feels bad I’m sick. She’s making me soup downstairs right now. But you’re not feeling well, so I won’t come see you. I don’t want you to catch my cold. Don’t worry–Sophia–Mommy will take care of me!”
Sophia’s hand tightened around the tray.
Doris had fed Rowan all that junk?
But worse than that…
In just a few days, their bond had already become so close?
Sophia knew she had no right to feel hurt.
But hearing the boy she’d raised–loved–call another woman “Mommy“… it still made her heart ache.
Blood, after all, runs deep.
No matter how sincerely she loved him… she could never compete with that.
She had always been… just an outsider.
After the call, Rowan suddenly remembered the soup.
He called out, “Mommy?”
No answer.
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Chapter 19
He got out of bed and headed downstairs.
The kitchen was empty.
He walked into the living room and saw the soup–cooling on the table.
“Mommy?”
Still no reply.
Panic rising, he searched the house.
Upstairs. Downstairs. Everywhere.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Nothing.
She was gone.
For the first time ever…
Sophia had left without saying goodbye.
Furious, Rowan stormed into the living room and started throwing things.
The toys Sophia had bought
cars, the robots–scattered across the floor.
Vincent heard the noise and came down from his study.
The room was a mess.
The divorce papers had been knocked off the table, the words DIVORCE AGREEMENT now hidden beneath the couch.
Vincent frowned.
He glanced toward the kitchen “Where’s
“She’s not my mom!”
s your mom?”
Rowan screamed, his voice shaking with rage and confusion.
“What kind of mom leaves without even saying anything when her kid’s sick?! I hate her! I don’t want her as my mom anymore!”
Vincent stood still for a second.
Then he asked, quietly, “She… left?”
13:43
(1)
Quoon’s Vonda.
