Chapter 8
After Colton left, I tossed and turned all night, sleep nowhere in sight. By dawn, I dragged myself to work–only to be blindsided.
A staffer from the Joint Training Center Ridgeview Personnel Office pulled me aside, his voice heavy.
“General Hayes is heading a military exchange in East Asia. They need a translator, and I recommended you. When it’s over, you can hitch a ride back home on a C–130 to visit family.”
A dozen thoughts shot through me at onc
“I’ll handle it,” I said.
but I kept my face cool.
The exchange itself went smoothly. Colton was exactly what I remembered–professional, flawless, untouchable.
When it wrapped, he found me.
“Maddie, work’s done. Come home with me, see Ethan? He misses you.”
“Misses me?” I gave a dry laugh, the old sting flaring. “He never liked me. It’s been six years—if anything, he probably hates me now.
“He’s got his heart set on Vanessa as his mom,” I snapped. “If you’re so eager to fulfill your brother’s dying wish, marry her. Neat and tidy.”
That afternoon, Colton, the delegation, and I boarded a military charter home. The seating chart wedged us together, just an armrest
apart.
Exhausted, I turned away, refusing to meet his eyes. Not long after, a blanket settled over me–his touch careful, almost tentative. I didn’t acknowledge it. He’d once been everything to me… and also my cage. The divorce had cut that cord clean.
We landed, and in the waiting area I spotted Ethan, hand in Margaret Hayes‘ grasp. At nine, he’d shot up a few inches, his eyes red and
swollen.
The second he saw me, he blurted, “Mom!”
The delegation glanced at one another, uneasy. I put on a polite smile.
“Looks like someone’s confused me with his mom.”
Colton’s face hardened instantly–he’d heard every word.
Ethan tried to run to me, but Margaret held him back, her gaze sharp with unspoken intent. I knew she’d never give us a genuine moment; whatever game she was playing, I wasn’t interested.
Colton pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Do you have to talk like that, Maddie?”
I met his eyes, cold. “Don’t like it? Then we don’t have to talk.”
I grabbed my bags and walked straight past him. The Hayes family home wasn’t mine anymore.
Later, I met up with Chloe. She grabbed my hands, spinning me once before grinning wide.
“This is the Maddie I remember! Six years, and you’re finally you again. I’m so damn happy.”
We were still laughing when my phone rang–unknown number.
A woman’s voice came through. “This is Ethan’s teacher. He got into a fight at school, and his father told me to call you.”
Chloe’s face darkened. She snatched the phone and hung up. “What the hell is Colton thinking?”
It rang again. The teacher sounded urgent.
*The other kid’s parents insist you pick him up and take him to the hospital.”
With no choice, Chloe and I drove straight to Maple Grove Elementary.
Chapter 8
3
MoboReels–Short Dramas&Movies
Every twist in the series is suprising
4.7 FREE
Google Play
INSTALL
In the teacher’s office, every other kid had a parent beside them–except Ethan, standing alone.
The injured boy’s parent jabbed a finger at him. “Didn’t your mom teach you not to hit people?”
A boy nearby snickered. “Ethan doesn’t have a mom! She ditched him!”
Ethan’s eyes flared. He lunged like a cornered pup, only to be shoved back by the parent and hit the floor.
When he saw me in the doorway, his eyes went glassy. He bit down hard, turned away, and scrambled up without wiping his face.
I ignored the act and stepped forward. “I’m Madeline Carter–his biological mother. We’re divorced. I don’t have custody. If you want compensation, talk to his father–General Colton Hayes.”
Ethan’s head snapped up, shock flashing across his face. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him swiping quickly at his eyes, hoping
no one saw.
Why the tears now? This was the same boy who once begged me to leave his dad.
K
The other parent’s bluster faltered. “Divorced or not, you still owe us an explanation, don’t
I looked straight at Ethan. “Why’d you fight?”
He jutted his chin out, silent. My patience wore thin.
“Not talking? Fine. Wait for your dad. I’ve got better things to do.”
His voice broke into a roar. “They said I don’t have a mom! You happy now? It’s your fault Dad won’t marry Vanessa! She actually cares about me -unlike you! I hate you!”
I let him finish before arching a brow. “When your dad and I were still married, you wanted her as your mom. Fine. We’re divorced now -pick whoever you want,‘
Gasps rippled through the room.
“No wonder she doesn’t have custody, “someone muttered. “A kid that young, already meddling in their parents‘ marriage?”
Another whispered, “I thought Vanessa was Mrs. Hayes—turns out she’s just the girlfriend?”
Ethan flinched at the words, bolting for the door–but he stopped short, retreating as Colton strode in with his aide. His expression was cold enough to silence the room.
“What happened?” he asked, voice low and sharp.
No one spoke. Even Ethan ducked his head, suddenly small.
I met Colton’s gaze coolly. “You’re here. Handle it–you’re the guardian. I’m leaving.
“Maddie-”
“Mom
Their voices trailed after ine, but I didn’t look back.
In the car, Chloe exploded. “That ungrateful kid doesn’t deserve you! After you left, he threw tantrums demanding Vanessa as his new mom. Colton smacked him for it, and he ran off–nearly got kidnapped. Guess who saved him? Vanessa. Perfect little bond they’ve got there.”
Chapter 8
>
MoboReels–Short Dramas&Movies 4.7 FREE
Google Play
INSTALL
Every twist in the series is suprising
80.00%
