Ethan seemed startled by my expression and quickly hid behind Jason.
The smug look on Jason’s face froze instantly.
He probably never imagined that I, who had always treated Ethan as my whole world, would so decisively give up custody.
When he saw me sign the agreement without hesitation, the contempt in his eyes finally turned into shock and fury.
He jumped to his feet, raising his voice,
“Rachel, what the hell are you doing? Just because I didn’t take you to see a Broadway show, you’re acting like this? Is it really worth it?”
“Besides, do you even understand that kind of high art? Bringing you along would be a total waste of a ticket!”
“If you can’t handle Ethan saying a few truths, then you’re way too sensitive! He’s just a kid! What kind of mother bickers with her own child like this?”
After speaking, he drew in a deep breath, forcing down his anger, and turned sharply toward Ethan, his tone harsh,
“Ethan! Go apologize to your mom! Say you’re sorry! Otherwise, she’ll hold this over you forever!”
“Do you still want to see the Broadway show or not?”
Ethan flinched under his father’s roar. His lips trembled, his eyes welling with tears.
Reluctantly, he shuffled toward me.
“Mom… I’m sorry…”
The words carried no sincerity—just the empty compliance of a child being forced.
At that moment, Emily’s voice chimed in from the video call,
“Ethan’s mom, I’m so sorry. This really was my oversight—I didn’t ask carefully beforehand, so I didn’t get your ticket. I never meant to cause such trouble, and I truly apologize.”
“It’s too late to buy one now, but next time, I promise I’ll visit you personally to make it up to you.”
She paused, her voice laced with just the right touch of grievance,
“Ethan is such a sweet, thoughtful boy. I genuinely care about him, so of course I tend to look after him a little more. But I swear I don’t mean anything else… you really don’t need to feel so insecure…”
Jason’s face softened slightly, and he looked at me with an exasperated impatience, as if to say: See how considerate Ms. Emily is?
“You hear that? Ms. Emily already apologized, and Ethan did too. What more do you want? Isn’t that enough?”
Looking at the three of them—playing their parts in perfect harmony—I felt nothing but nausea rising in my stomach.
Ten years of marriage—it all felt like one cruel joke.
The truth was, in the early years after our wedding, when Ethan was still little, we did have warm, happy moments as a family of three.
But when did it all start to change?
Probably when Ethan started kindergarten—and his teacher just so happened to be Jason’s former classmate, Emily Brooks.
From then on, Jason, who had never bothered with school drop-offs or pick-ups, suddenly showed up rain or shine.
When the school organized field trips, he was more enthusiastic than Ethan himself.
And in Ethan’s mouth, Ms. Emily’s name appeared more and more often.
As for me, his real mother—I gradually became the unwanted, embarrassing presence.
Sensing the shift in my husband and son, I once tried to gently ask about it.
But all I got in return was Jason’s impatient scolding,
“Rachel, you’re just a housewife. All you do is overthink! Emily studied abroad, she’s worldly and cultured! Do you think everyone is as narrow-minded as you?”
At the time, I convinced myself that maybe I was imagining things.
Until my birthday—when Ethan accused me of ruining the cupcake meant for Emily. That was when I finally saw the truth of my pathetic situation.
My dear son and my dear husband had spent an afternoon together in the kitchen, making a cake with their own hands.
But who among them remembered that it was also my birthday that day?
Exhaustion swept over me.
I closed my eyes briefly, then said,
“I’m not being difficult. Like you said, children don’t lie. Since he wants another mom so badly, I’ll grant his wish.”
