2
"What did I say?"
I tried to argue, yanking my hand from Caelan Corbin's. "Me hitting you back then was between us. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
'As for my son, he can forget about it.'
But Caelan Corbin didn't believe me.
His suspicious gaze roamed over my face, trying to find any clue.
I chuckled dryly and shot him a glare.
'Keep the kid, ditch the dad. He can get lost.'
"Teacher, I know it's normal for children to get into conflicts, but I need a reasonable explanation."
I've seen plenty of kids fight, but parents like Caelan Corbin deserve a heavy penalty.
'How dare he say my son is weak?'
'No wonder he's just like his rotten old man!'
"Mom, don't be angry."
My son, who had probably never seen me so furious, grew a little anxious. "I'm not weaker than Ivy Corbin. It's just that boys shouldn't bully girls. Fists are for fighting bad guys."
Oh?
I looked at the little boy, quite surprised. 'Where did he learn that from?'
'Guess cartoons aren't all bad for kids after all.'
"You're changing the subject."
Caelan Corbin stared intently at me. "Mina Carter, I also need a reasonable..."
"Then ask Ivy Corbin what happened."
I cut him off.
'If he thinks he can question me about my son, he's got another thing coming.'
Caelan Corbin frowned at me, then glanced at the teacher, who, though silent, wore an impatient expression. He went to talk to Ivy Corbin.
The story was simple. The two kids had argued over homework, and then Ivy Corbin had thrown the first punch.
"Getting physical is never the right way to handle things."
Caelan Corbin earnestly lectured Ivy Corbin while I watched from the side, shooting him a cold glare.
'He certainly moves fast.'
Ivy Corbin was in the same class as my son, so they had to be around the same age. That meant he must have found someone new immediately after we broke up.
'Ugh, scumbag!'
My glare must have been too sharp, because he suddenly looked up at me in surprise.
I put on a stony face and impassively looked away.
'What are you looking at?'
'Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out!'
"Teacher, Leo Carter, I know I was wrong."
After just two or three minutes, Ivy Corbin lowered her head and sincerely apologized to my son. "I'm sorry. I'll never hit anyone again."
Caelan Corbin spoke up next. "To show our sincerity, I'm willing to take Leo Carter to the hospital for a check-up."
Seeing the two of them working in concert, the teacher smiled in relief.
But I wasn't happy about it.
I had already let something slip. If I let Caelan Corbin get any closer to my son, what if he tried to fight me for custody?
"That's not necessary. I can take him for a check-up myself."
I refused, but the teacher tried to persuade me tactfully. "Mrs. Carter, the children are so young. It would be better if you both went together."
She even shot me a look, as if she were afraid I was being foolish.
I pressed my forehead. 'It's really not what she thinks.'
"You're Leo, right?"
Just as I was getting frustrated, Caelan Corbin crouched down, trying to get friendly with my precious son with a gentle smile. "Ivy didn't do it on purpose, and she knows she made a mistake. Can you forgive her?"
"Leo, I'm sorry."
Ivy Corbin was very obedient to Caelan Corbin and immediately apologized again.
My son, ever the little gentleman with girls, immediately declared that he had already forgiven Ivy Corbin.
"Then why don't you two shake hands to show you've made up, okay?"
Caelan Corbin patiently coaxed the two children. Kids that young don't hold grudges. They shook hands and were soon laughing and talking together again.
Watching them made my head ache even more.
'Damn him. He's even better at handling kids than I am. It's so unfair.'
