Chapter 4
As luck would have it, the school organized a sports day today with mandatory parent attendance. Predictably, Tessa arrived extra early.]
While the kids were busy with activities, I invited her into the empty teachers‘ lounge.
“Aiden is your child with Nathan, isn’t he?” I cut straight to the point, addressing the secret we both knew.[]
She clutched her designer bag, crossing her arms with a cold laugh. “So what if he is? I deliberately had Nathan sign those forms that day. I wanted you to see it.“]
“Nathan adores our Aiden–treats him like precious gold. After all, Aiden’s his only child.“[]
“Unlike with you. Married to Nathan all these years and you couldn’t even get pregnant. Is your biological clock completely dead or what?”
Her insults didn’t actually bother me, but I pretended to be hurt.
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t have kids. As long as I’m not divorced from Nathan, you’ll always be the mistress, and your son will always be illegitimate.“]]
I watched her reaction eagerly, knowing I’d struck a nerve.[]
Sure enough, her expression changed instantly. Her previously calm face flooded with anger.[]
“Claire Moore, enjoy it while it lasts because it won’t forever.“]
“You think marrying Nathan means you won me? I was there for him when he was heartbroken. I’m the one who gave him a child. He loves ME, not YOU!“]
Tessa was getting more and more worked up.
“Go ahead and gloat for now. Eventually, I’ll replace you.”[]
I pushed further: “Come talk to me when you actually have a marriage certificate with Nathan’s name on it.“]]
Tessa’s face turned almost purple with rage. She pointed her finger at my face, about to unleash a torrent of insults. But she was interrupted by a sharp cry from downstairs.[]
“Miss Moore! Mrs. Reed! Aiden fell down!” It was one of the teachers supervising the activities.[]
Hearing her son was hurt, Tessa immediately forgot about
our
argument.
I feit anxious too–an injured student was my responsibility. I followed behind Tessa as we rushed downstairs.[]
Pushing through the crowd that had gathered, we found Aiden sitting on the ground crying, his knee a bloody mess.
.0
“Baby, Mommy’s here. Don’t be scared,” Tessa said tearfully, pulling him into her arms.
“How could he get hurt this badly? Didn’t anyone call 911? We pay a fortune in tuition, and this is how you teachers handle things?” she snapped.
The teacher who had called us quickly apologized: “Please don’t worry, Mrs. Reed. We called for an ambulance right away. They should be here any minute.” Finally able to get a word in, I asked, “What exactly happened?”
“They were playing soccer,” explained a parent who had witnessed everything. “The kids got excited, running around, and he accidentally tripped.“[]
Aiden was crying his heart out, and I couldn’t help feeling terrible for him.]
Tessa, who had seemed so arrogant and aggressive earlier, now looked like nothing more than a vulnerable, lonely figure.[]
I grabbed the first aid kit from my office and did some basic wound care while we waited for the paramedics to arrive.
When the ambulance pulled up, as Aiders teacher. I had every reason to go to the hospital with them to help out.
But Tessa had regained her prideful demeanor.[]
“We don’t need you to come,” she said
“I can handle this alone.”
She said it quietly, and 1 wasn’t sure if she was talking to me or reassuring herself.
Chapter 4
When I got home after work, Nathan wasn’t there at his usual time.
I knew exactly where he’d gone.]]
I was about to hop in the shower and call it a day when I suddenly realized–this might be my opportunity!]]
