Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
CH 58
Natalie really wanted to nod her head and give Liam this promise of happiness to come, but she suddenly thought Bryce was not really related to them, and could she really make promises like that on his behalf? She was suddenly sure that Bryce would eventually abandon them when the situation suited him. She put Liam on the ground and squatted down in front of him. Then she said,
“Liam, listen to what I tell you. Daddy is very busy, so he can’t come to pick you up as often as you’d like. But I promise you that no matter how busy I am, I will come to pick you up from school, okay?”
Hearing that about Bryce brought a hint of disappointment to Liam’s eyes, but he nodded firmly and looked at his mother.
“Okay, I got it. Don’t worry, Mommy.”
Natalie beamed,
“You’re the best boy,”
and kissed Liam’s cheek. But he was still a child after all, and he started whining that he wanted to go home. Almost all the other kids had already gone. Natalie took Liam’s hand, preparing to leave. But as she took a few steps, she bumped into a woman blocking her path to the car.
“Oh,”
thought Natalie,
“it’s my day for bumping into people, that’s for sure.”
Natalie apologized, then looked up and saw the woman’s face. At the same time, the woman looked at Natalie’s face. Both women were stunned when they recognized each other. Natalie knew this other woman. She was Nick Barnard’s sister, Pam. And there was Natalie’s stepsister, Cheryl, too, standing just behind Pam. Cheryl had an expression on her face that suggested she was anticipating some good entertainment.
Natalie frowned, not wanting to get involved with those people. After all, Liam was still there, and she was afraid that he would be upset. Just as Natalie was about to walk away, Pam shouted,
“Hey, don’t you know you should apologize after crashing into someone? How rude are you?”
Natalie stung, said,
“How many times do I have to say it? I’ve already apologized, and you heard me.”
She was about to drag Liam away, but the other two women were standing their ground.
Pam said,
“So what if you apologized? It’s useless if I don’t accept it. Natalie, you’re shameless. You’re worse than all the kids who’ve just left the school.”
Pam and Cheryl looked at each other and smirked. Natalie walked up to them and stared at them coldly, snapping,
“Just mind your own business.”
In response, Pam looked directly at Liam, who was standing beside Natalie. Pam said archly,
“So, Natalie, this is your child. He’s energetic, isn’t he? It’s funny, though he doesn’t look much like you. Does he? Who is the father of this child? I wonder why don’t you tell us?”
She deliberately raised her voice for the last couple of phrases, causing the remaining parents in the car park to look in Natalie’s direction.
Cheryl saw this and smiled, saying sarcastically to Pam,
“Now, now, Pam, don’t talk about my sister like that. She probably doesn’t know who the child’s father is, considering how she behaved that year. What do you think?”
Seeing the two women acting out this charade together, anger started to rise in Natalie’s heart. She glanced coldly at Cheryl and said,
“So you didn’t get enough of a lesson last time. I corrected you, huh? Do you want me to teach you another lesson now?”
Cheryl’s eyes filled with hatred when Natalie mentioned that previous incident between them. Pam saw that her friend was being bullied, so she said about changing the conversation’s focus. She looked directly at Natalie.
“Natalie, get real here. Everyone knows that you are tainted. Your child’s origins are obscure, and it’s perfectly plain that you’re no good. You’re destined never to be able to hold your head up high for the rest of your life.”
Pam felt proud as she saw Natalie’s face go pale. Unfortunately, this little guy is in a sad situation. He is following in his bad mother’s footsteps as an illegitimate child.”
She deliberately emphasized the words
“illegitimate child”
by raising her voice. When the surrounding people heard these words, they looked at each other and muttered disapprovingly. One by one, they coaxed their children up beside them and said,
“From now on, you’re not allowed to play with this little boy, okay?”
The kids didn’t really understand what the problem was, but they didn’t dare resist their parents’ instructions.
From now on, they would have to distance themselves from Liam. Liam, meanwhile, had been looking on, mute and stunned. How could a small child suffer such humiliation and hostility? Liam’s eyes reddened, and he started to cry, sniveling and saying,
“Don’t meddle in other people’s business, okay?”