Chapter 6
After having the child, Keith initially loved the baby dearly. But when Lynley was two, he suggested separate bedrooms and began to grow distant from the child. It was as if he had been possessed by someone else; he mocked my questions and my love. He said, “Lesley, we’re just in a marriage of convenience. You’re asking for too much.”
From then on, I saw him clearly and withdrew from his affairs, focusing entirely on the child. If his father didn’t love him, that was fine–I would show him all the love I
had. But it turned out that the father and his son always get a special bond, and the ones they love are the same.
Chapter 6
+ 5 Points
Our marriage was arranged because the Barber Family needed the Mitchell Family. If Keith proposed a divorce, the Barber Family would never agree. For Lynley’s sake, I didn’t want to divorce. But now, all my efforts were in vain. So, I did as Keith wished and filed for divorce.
Before the divorce court hearing, I asked Lynley whom he wanted to stay with. He was being led by Acelynn, looking as innocent as
ever.
“Mom, are you going to divorce Daddy? Can I live with Mummy then?”
Divorce? A five–year–old says something like this?
2/6
Chapter 6
+ 5 Points
I glanced at Acelynn, who was watching me with a smile that was far from genuine.
“Lesley, I don’t want to interfere in your marriage with Kei, but I want my own child.”
I scoffed, “If you want a child, have one yourself. Stealing someone else’s is not an accomplishment.”
The stamp was pressed onto the certificate. The word “DIVORCE” on it was glaringly bright.
Keith took the paper with a visibly softer expression. He bent down and whispered
3/6
Chapter 6
+ 5 Points
to Lynley, “We’ll be able to live with Mummy soon. Are you happy?”
Lynley clapped his hands in delight.
“Yes, Daddy! Will we always live with Mummy?”
Keith nodded.
“And what about Mom?”
I looked at Keith with interest, only to see his face darken as he coldly said, “From now on, you’ll have only Acelynn as your mommy. Lynley, you’re not allowed to call anyone else ‘Mum.”
Lynley scrunched up his little face.
4/6
Chapter 6
+ 5 Points
I frowned. “Keith, I carried him for ten months and gave birth to him. Even if we’re divorced, you can’t stop me from seeing him, and you can’t prevent him from calling me ‘Mum. You don’t have that right.”
I was shocked by how much Keith loathed me, to the point where he wouldn’t even allow the child to call me ‘Mum.’ I had given him the child partly because Lynley chose it himself and partly because I was confident that the Barber Family wouldn’t allow another woman to take my place.
The Barber Family would never let their descendants have a stepmother. It had always been this way. So, even if Keith loved Acelynn, he could never marry her unless he
5/6
Chapter 6
+ 5 Points
left the Barber Family.
Keith smiled faintly, but his words were as cold as ice. “Lesley, Lynley is my son. He will call whoever I decide ‘Mum. Conversely, if I don’t allow it, he cannot.”
It was too much. I instinctively reached out to grab Lynley, but Acelynn was quick to snatch him up.
“Don’t take my child!” she said, bracing herself and hiding behind Keith.
I hadn’t expected Acelynn to treasure Lynley
so much.
