“Elaine,” a new voice cut in–Rosie.
In my past life, she hadn’t been part of this scheme. But now? She was stepping up to sell me on it.
“You two need someone to take care of you when you’re old Since Stuart likes the kid, why not keep him?”
Her eyes darted away, refusing to meet mine. And just like that, it clicked.
She’d been in on it back then too.
I thought back to how much she’d doted on Peter, how sweet she’d acted toward him. A bitter laugh almost slipped out.
I was the one who pulled Rosie out of that nowhere town, paid for her education, helped her buy her place, got her settled in the city. And for what?
So she could help trap me?
I’d worked myself to the bone for them–my time, my money, my love–until there was nothing left. Then they’d tossed me aside like I was nothing.
Was I really just that stupid?
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My hands curled into fists.
“No,” I said.
Their faces went stiff, like it had never occurred to them that kind, accommodating Elaine might just say no.
I frowned, pretending to be annoyed. “Even if we wanted to adopt, we can’t just take in any kid.
“Didn’t you hear the nurse? The fever might’ve messed him up mentally. What’s the point of raising someone who’ll be useless when he grows up?”
I sighed. “Stuart, Rosie, don’t take this the wrong way, but let’s be real–if anyone’s at fault, it’s his ungrateful parents.
“You’ve already done enough just getting him to the hospital.”
Stuart’s face twisted, but before I could fully enjoy the moment-
Clatter.
A porcelain cup rolled out from behind the curtain.
Then, a woman stepped forward, her expression stiff. She forced a smile as she crouched to pick it up.
It was her.
Peter’s mother. Stuart’s actual love.
The polished, elegant woman I remembered was gone. Now, she wore baggy, worn–out clothes. Her face was gaunt, her posture exhausted.
blinked, playing dumb. “Who’s she?”
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