Chapter 96 Rotten
Finished
Shawn stepped out of his office. Maybe tonight’s dinner was important–he was dressed in a crisp white shirt, a sleek watch on his left wrist. When he saw me standing in the hallway, he walked over to speak with me. I caught a glimpse of a glint on his ring finger.
For a second, I thought I was imagining things.
But no–I looked again, and it was real. The diamond wedding band he once tossed into the bookshelf drawer had found its way back onto his hand.
People say a man in a white shirt with a ring on his finger gives off husband vibes.
So what exactly was Shaton trying to show by doing this?
Maybe once he got in the car, he’d slip the ring back into his packet. Who knows?
“Why are you still here? I had William take Yuna home already,” he said, glancing at his watch. “On your way back, pick her up a little something to make her smile”
“That’s not happening,” I said as I turned towards the elevator. “The house is already overflowing with her
toys
He didn’t push it and said no more.
Just as I stepped inside the elevator, Queena came over to talk to him. They stood side by side–oddly fitting, in a way I couldn’t quite explain.
That’s when it hit me. Even though I spent so much effort putting myself together every day, Queena exuded a kind of ambition and hunger that matched Shawn’s energy perfectly. They just looked like a match with each other.
Whatever. I wasn’t going to make myself upset over it. Maybe they looked compatible because they were sharing a bed. People who sleep together–of course their energy starts to sync up.
When I got home, Yuna was out in the backyard, feeding her miniature pony. It had been freshly washed by the maid, its tiny coat shining under the evening sun As soon as she saw my car pulling in, she shouted, “Mommy, come feed the pony with me!”
I walked over. Yuna pointed at the pony’s belly and said “Look! I gave it so much hay; its tummy is all round and full.”
I nodded and urged, “Don’t give him too much, sweetie You don’t want him to get sick.”
Yuna pouted and argued, “If he dies from eating too much, it’s okay. We’ll just get another one.”
“What did you say?” I blinked, unsure if I’d heard her right. But that’s precisely what came out of her mouth.
“Nothing,” she mumbled quickly, realizing it probably wasn’t the right thing to say. Her big eyes widened as she stared at me. “Mommy, why have you been so grampy lately? You’re kind of scary when you get
mad.”
“Yuna, at school … don’t your teachers talk to you about being a good person?” I sat down on the garden
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Chapter 98 Rotten
- m. Finished
They do she said with a little shrug. “But I already know everything they teach. I consistently finish my homework first. She beamed, proud. “They say I’m really smart, I told them that my dad’s really smart
too.
It was true–Yuna was gifted with learning. But intelligence doesn’t equal character. In another life, Yuna had grown up to be a picture–perfect egoist. Maybe it was her time studying abroad–soaking in all that freedom, individuality, and equality belief–that made her drift away from the values I once tried to raise
her with
I remembered when my mother passed. Yuma had stood there, emotionless, not shedding a single tear. That moment shattered something inside me.
“Mom, what are you thinking about again?” Yuna asked suddenly. “I’m going to grab my race cars from upstairs. Let’s play racing, okay?” She didn’t feel like feeling the pony anymore. A moment later, she came back with a little cart filled with toy race cars.
She sorted them carefully, then handed me a remote. Let’s race! Whoever loses has to listen to the winner.
1 looked at her, my heart a tangled mess. I couldn’t completely detach myself from her, not yet. She was still young. Watching her tiny figure dart around, I would always feel a flicker of hesitation.
“Come on, Mom! Let’s play. Whoever loses has to listen to the other person, no questions asked!” Yuna pouted and begged..
That got my attention. “Really? You lose; you do what I say?”
Yuna nodded eagerly. “Promise! No take–backs!”
Her expression fired up something in me–an unexpected urge to win.
No matter how clever Yuna was, she was still
a kid. I used to let her win deliberately in every game we played. I wanted her to feel confident, taste victory, and build self–worth.
“Mom, you’re going too fast! Slow down!” She cried out, assuming I’d go easy on her again. But this time, I didn’t hold back. My car zoomed past hers, leaving her in the dust. She stomped her feet in frustration.
“Again! I’m definitely going to beat you this time!” Her competitive streak flared up as she spoke.
“Bring it on,” I said coolly.
Second round. Third round. I won them all. Yuna plopped down on the grass, legs folded, eyes welling up with tears. She threw her controller onto the ground and cried out, “No fair! You’re a grown–up–you’re obviously faster than me! This is so unfair!”
