Maverick instantly exploded, slamming the table with a loud thud.
"Enough! Are you done making a scene? My employees are my business. If you came here to fight, then get out, right now!"
"I’ll talk to you at the family dinner tonight. Until then, drop the attitude. Don’t forget who you depend on to survive!"
Lainey quickly added in a soft, fake-concerned voice.
"That’s right, Sister Eliana. Isaac’s been saying he misses you. As a woman, shouldn’t family come first? I’ve already taken care of all the hard work, so you wouldn’t have to run around so much."
I shot her a cold glance and turned to leave.
Once outside, I dialed the business partner’s number.
"Those design drafts, twenty million, does that offer still stand? I can sign today."
The other party sounded thrilled.
"Finally! I’ve been waiting for your call, Miss Wilson. Of course, it still stands! I’ll bring the contract right now!"
"I have one condition."
"Name it. As long as it’s legal, I’ll agree to anything."
…
At exactly 6 p.m., Lainey sent me a message.
[Sister Eliana, I’m truly sorry about today. As an apology, I’ve listed a few of Isaac’s favorites. If it helps bring you two closer, it’ll be worth it.]
Following her list, I ordered every dish from the hotel and packed them all carefully. But there were so many that it cost me four whole hours.
By the time I finally arrived at the old Thomas residence, the family dinner had already started.
The moment my mother-in-law saw me walk in, she slammed her utensils down.
"Look who decided to show up! You’re harder to invite than a goddess. The whole family waited for you, were we supposed to starve until you felt like coming?"
"Maverick, your wife’s really something else. Give her a few more years, and we’ll all be dancing to her tune!"
In the past, Maverick would’ve at least spoken up for me.
But tonight, he didn’t even lift his head, just kept tapping away on his phone, pretending I didn’t exist.
Isaac sat nestled beside Maverick, with Lainey on his other side. They looked every bit the perfect family of three, except I was the one left out.
Thinking of the custody battle looming ahead, I swallowed the ache in my chest and forced a calm voice.
"There was traffic. I brought some food for Isaac. Sorry, I’m late."
I handed the bag to the housekeeper.
As the dishes were laid out, Lainey leaned close, offering Isaac a bite with exaggerated warmth.
"Here, try this. Your mom brought it just for you. If you finish it, you won’t be mad at Mommy anymore, okay?"
I quietly slid into the space between them. I hadn’t seen Isaac in so long, my eyes stung with tears.
Just as I reached out to hold him, he suddenly jerked back and screamed.
"I don’t want Mommy! I don’t want Mommy! I don’t know her!"
"Auntie Lainey, make her go away!"
My arm froze mid-air. In that moment, I wished the floor would open and swallow me whole.
Maverick set his phone down, his expression cold.
"I’ve told you, if you keep skipping out like this, Isaac won’t even remember you’re his mother."
"Who knows what you’re so busy with every day? Lainey’s already doing a better job than you ever did."
His words sliced through me like a blade, each one sharper than the last.
I turned away and sat down in silence.
Suddenly, Isaac cried out. Red rashes spread rapidly across his cheeks.
"Ah... It’s itchy... it hurts!"
Lainey’s face turned ghostly pale.
"Oh no! There was shrimp in the food. Isaac’s allergic to shrimp!"
"Quick, take him to the hospital!"
Panicked, I rushed forward to check on him, but Maverick shoved me away without hesitation.
"You brought food without even checking his allergies? Were you trying to kill him?"
Before I could speak, my mother-in-law’s palm came down hard across my face.
"Useless! You’re good for nothing! You disappear all year, and when you finally show up, you poison my grandson? How did our family end up with someone like you?!"
