"It's just a spot, do you really need to make such a big deal out of it? The entire Collins family’s fortune will belong to our son in the future. What won't he have? You and your son are both petty and narrow-minded!"
Sean knew that taking the spot was wrong, so he had originally come with a Lego set and a necklace to apologize to the mother and son.
But Sharon always had to compete with Riley and her daughter, which made him feel annoyed.
He had given her both himself and the entire Collins family, and all he asked was for her and their son to occasionally make some concessions to Riley and her daughter. Was that really too much?
Sean didn't bother arguing with her any further and left with a cold face.
Sharon watched him walk away and, unlike in the past years, didn't try to stop him or compromise.
She massaged her temples in exhaustion, closed the door, and lay back on the bed.
But her mind was troubled, and she tossed and turned until dawn before finally dozing off.
Yet she had barely slept when she was startled awake by the sound of a child crying.
"James!"
Sharon snapped awake and ran out barefooted.
In the playroom, Sean was holding Jordan, soothing her affectionately alongside Riley.
Meanwhile, James stood in front of them, his face streaked with tears, a bright red slap mark on his cheek—as if Sean didn't even see it.
Sharon's heart ached. She crouched down and gently wiped his tears.
"Don't cry, sweetheart. Tell Mommy what happened."
Before James could answer, Riley spoke indignantly, "I hit him! Sharon, you're always petty, always jealous of me and Sean, always trying to harm me with your little schemes. I've been magnanimous enough to tolerate you. But your son is only five years old, and you're already teaching him to bully Jordan?"
Sharon's expression darkened. "James would never bully anyone for no reason! You hit him—you must apologize!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Sean's face darkened.
"Sharon, that's enough! It was your son who took Jordan's toy and pushed her first—that's why Riley stepped in!"
"You're too indulgent with him. You've spoiled him. Riley was just trying to help us discipline him!"
James sobbed and shook his head. "Daddy, I didn't take Jordan's toy—she took my stuffed animal!"
Sean hesitated for a moment but still reprimanded him. "You're older than Jordan. What's wrong with letting her have it?"
James whimpered, "But she used scissors to cut my stuffed animal! Grandma sewed that for me herself!"
Sharon had rushed in so quickly that she only now noticed the scattered fabric pieces on the floor.
It was shredded into tiny fragments—impossible to sew back together.
The truth was clear now. She thought Sean would finally realize he had wronged James and at least apologize.
But Riley tugged on his sleeve and pouted her lips. "Jordan is only five. What does she know? She just thought cutting the stuffed animal was part of playing."
Sean hesitated, then nodded. He looked at James and said, "Enough. Be a man—don't be so petty."
Hearing this, Sharon felt hurt, his eyes turned red, and tears nearly fell.
"Sean, how... how can you say something like that? That stuffed animal was made by my mother, with her own hands, before she passed away!"
Jordan immediately burst into tears. "Ms. Milton is so mean, so scary!"
Sean wiped her tears and scolded, "Jordan is crying because of you! She's just a child. She doesn't understand these things—do you really need to make such a big deal out of it? This matter is over. If you keep stirring up trouble, you and James can stop living here!"
He carried Jordan and left with Riley without sparing Sharon or James a second glance.
The anger caused Sharon to find it hard to breathe and her chest heaved up and down.
If it were before, she would have gone to argue with Sean, to make him understand right from wrong.
But now, she had completely given up on him.
Sharon comforted her son, then picked up the shredded pieces of the stuffed animal, trying to fix it.
But after stabbing her fingers multiple times, which drew blood, she ended up with nothing but a pile of fabric scraps.
Looking at her wounded hands, she suddenly remembered what her mother had told her before she passed away, tears in her eyes as she held Sharon's hand. "I'm not afraid of dying... I'm only afraid that after I'm gone, no one will protect you and James."
"Sean is a man of loyalty, but he lacks clarity. That Riley... she's full of schemes. Your husband always sides with her and her daughter. What will happen to you and James in the future?"
Back then, Sharon had firmly reassured her mother, "Don't worry, Mom. Sean is only good to Riley because he's repaying a favor. He loves me—he would never hurt us."
Thinking of how deeply she had once trusted and loved Sean, Sharon only felt an overwhelming sense of irony.
She carefully packed away the remains of the stuffed animal, took James, and checked into the nearest hotel.
She no longer wanted to stay in that "home" where they were constantly mistreated.
But not long after arriving at the hotel, Sean came looking for them.
"Riley said she saw you and James leaving. I thought she was mistaken, but it turns out she was right. Why aren't you staying at home? What are you doing at a hotel?"
James saw him but no longer called him "Daddy" with excitement. Instead, he shrank back, hiding behind Sharon in fear.
Seeing James’s terrified expression made Sharon's heart ache.
"I took the initiative to leave with James. I don’t need you to drive us away."
