Chapter 39
Chapter 39
“No,” Ernest replied. “You’ve already taken two days off this week.”
Irene felt a bit uneasy. Both times, she had taken those days off just to hang out with Sylvia.
She regretted it a little, thinking she should have skipped one of those outings and saved the day for the parent-child event, going with Sylvia instead to avoid Stella’s company.
Frustrated, Irene pouted. “Can Ms. Jansen come along for the event?”
Even if Sylvia couldn’t take part in the games, just having her there would make Irene feel a lot better about going to the parent-child day with Stella.
“Ask her yourself,” Ernest said, shrugging.
“Alright, I’ll call her right now,” Irene said, bouncing up. She quickly grabbed her smartwatch and called Sylvia. After getting her consent, Irene called Stella right away.
“Alright,” Stella replied in her usual calm tone. “I’ll be there.”
“And don’t forget the cookies…” Irene started. But before she could finish, Stella hung up the phone.
Stella was buried in work, and with Lumière Group being her creation, she knew better than anyone how hard it was to get hired. Honestly, she had zero patience left for Irene’s fickle little moods.
She didn’t have the time or the slightest interest in baking cookies or cakes for Irene.
In fact, just showing up for the parent-child event was already her way of fulfilling her duty as a mother. Otherwise, Stella wouldn’t waste a whole day on it.
Irene’s voice trembled with disappointment as she said, “Dad, Mom hung up on me again.”
“She’s probably just busy,” Ernest replied, gently ruffling her hair.
“But,” Irene sniffled, the urge to cry bubbling up inside. “She’s hung up on me so many times lately.
“And Mom hasn’t even said anything about making those cookies or cakes I wanted. She used to be so nice to me. What’s she so busy with?”
Irene’s sniffling protest didn’t really get much of a reaction from Ernest. He said, not sounding too interested, “Once your mom finishes with her work, she’ll probably be back to normal.”
“Really?” Irene looked up at him hopefully. She missed the way her mom used to take care of her, especially compared to
now.
Irene knew deep down that Stella cared, but when it was constant, she’d just taken it for granted. Now that Stella was pulling back, Irene longed for that attention again. She missed feeling cherished.
But Irene had also been the one pushing Stella away, always saying how much she hated Stella and didn’t want to be around her.
“Alright,” Ernest said, shifting the topic. “School’s parent-child event is coming up in two days, isn’t it? Didn’t you say Sylvia’s going to be there too? Maybe it’s time you start getting things ready.”
“Right,” Irene’s mood lifted immediately.
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When it came to choosing between her mom and Sylvia, there was no doubt-Sylvia was always her choice. “I’m going to ask Betty to help me prepare lots of treats. It’s fine if Mom won’t make me cookies-I’ll just bring them for Sylvia.” For original chapters go to ͟.net
She huffed angrily. “And if Mom wants some, she can forget it-everything’s for Sylvia.”
At the school event, Stella met Ernest and the others at the school gate. Irene proudly flaunted her treats. “I’m not giving you any, Mom. They’re all for Ms. Jansen.”
Stella just shrugged, barely glancing up. “I’m good, really. Not hungry at all.”
Stella wasn’t expecting Sylvia to appear, but when she did, Stella’s reaction was just a cool nod. If anything, she treated Sylvia like she was just another face in the crowd-not like the woman who’d stolen her husband and daughter.
Sylvia was taken aback by the lack of reaction, while Ernest barely raised an eyebrow before turning his attention elsewhere.
It was no surprise, really. After seven years, Stella was used to being ignored by Ernest. Whether she was happy or upset, he never paid attention to her.
Stella had already decided to leave, no matter how much it hurt. She had given him seven years of her life, but now she was determined to sever all ties with him and everything connected to the past.
So even though Sylvia was the one who came between them, Stella didn’t care anymore. Whether Sylvia won Ernest’s favor or Irene’s affection, it no longer mattered to her. Today, Stella was just there as Irene’s mother, nothing more.
Irene, not understanding her mother’s thoughts, frowned when she didn’t get the reaction she wanted. “Mom, I’m not giving you any of these treats.”
‘I told you, I’m not hungry,” Stella said coolly. “You go ahead.”
Irene puffed up, refusing to back down. “I’m not eating them. These are all for Ms. Jansen-just for her.”
“That’s good,” Stella replied, her tone still flat and unmoved.
Irene was caught off guard. It seemed like she was being praised, but she didn’t feel any joy at all.
In her mind, Stella should have been upset that Irene was giving the treats to Sylvia, maybe even try to stop her or ask for
some.
Then Irene could have made a deal with Stella to promise to come back, take care of her, and stop being so harsh on Sylvia.
But now, seeing Stella walk away without waiting for her or Ernest, Irene felt a sharp pang of disappointment. Her excitement about seeing Sylvia was quickly fading. Now, all she felt was hurt..
Dad,” Irene pouted, her voice small. “Why is Mom like this now?”
Ernest ruffled her hair gently. “Alright, the event’s about to start. Let’s go join in.”
Sylvia picked Irene up in her arms, smiling. “Come on, Irene! We’ve got games to play, so don’t be upset. I know you’re the best kid ever.”
“Okay! I’ll do whatever you say, Ms. Jansen.” Irene grinned, wriggling in her arms, feeling much better now.
The difference between Stella’s years of care, which Irene ignored, and Sylvia’s few words of encouragement was almost comical. It was clear who Irene turned to for comfort.
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Up ahead, Stella shook her head with a small smile before turning and walking away.
In the school gym, Linda Lee, Irene’s teacher, had been waiting for a while. When she saw Stella walk in, she quickly went over to greet her, but then noticed another woman standing next to her-someone she vaguely recognized.
Linda remembered seeing Sylvia pick Irene up after school a few times. “Who’s this?” Linda asked Stella, but her gaze was fixed on Sylvia.
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