Chapter 5 Mom nodded instinctively . " I will . " +25 Bonus " That's settled , then ! As long as there's food to eat , I'd be happy to follow ya ! " I threw my arms around her and rubbed against her cold neck . " Mom , don't stay here and let people bully you anymore . My heart aches so much for you . They're so cruel , always bullying you . " Mom suddenly burst into tears , then pulled me tightly into her arms . " Alright , I'll take you away . " Her scorching hot tears ran down my neck as she cried . That night , it was like a new beginning for Mom . I , too , received a new name - Sally Dawson . The next morning at breakfast , the atmosphere at the dining table felt suffocating . Xander demanded that Mom apologize to Serena . Mom raised her head and kept her gaze calm as she looked at Xander at the head of the table and said , " Xander , let's get a divorce . " . The air seemed to instantly freeze , and Xander snapped his head up . " What did you say ? " " I said , let's get a divorce . " Mom didn't speak loudly , but her words were exceptionally clear . Xander sneered . " Jessica , has your thinking been ruined by that kid ? Right now , you're a useless woman who can't even bear children ! " You have no job and no source of income - how will you survive if you leave me and the McNeils ? What , are you going to take that wild brat and starve in the Southern cold ? " He paused , and his tone seemed to soften slightly . " I know . I've done you wrong regarding our child . But what's done is done . What more do you want from me ? Don't you bear any responsibility at all for our daughter's death ? " Jessica , be realistic . I'm the only one still willing to support you and that adopted wild brat of yours , to give you both food to eat . After all , deep down , I still love you . " I straightened up my small frame , pointed at Xander , and fired back , " Stop blabbering on ! What do you love about Mom , huh ? You love her so much that she ends up crying every day ? 1/2 Chapter 5 Ch +25 Bonus " That you make her eat weeds every day , listen to people call her infertile , watch people pour boiling soup on her , and still demand she apologize ? Is that what you call love ? " That's what I call being a bastard . People work jobs and at least get paid by their bosses , but you don't even give her money . " Look at you , strutting around like you're so great , but you're only pulling in a few thousand bucks every day ! And what , you're gonna support us ? Bah ! Without you , Mom would live better ! " Xander's face turned ashen with rage from my words . " Fine ! Alright ! Jessica , you want a divorce ? Alright ! I'll grant you one ! " But think carefully ! Once we're divorced , this wild child's adoption papers will immediately be void ! What right do you , a woman with no job or income , have to adopt a child ? " City Hall won't even stamp your papers ! Let's see how you'll raise her ! " He then signed the divorce papers and slammed them harshly in front of Jessica . The little courage Mom had finally gathered wavered instantly under the threat of the adoption getting canceled , and she didn't dare sign the papers anymore . My gaze was firm as I held her hand . " Mom , don't be afraid ! I'll always be standing behind you . You have to save yourself first . Only then can you save me , and everyone else you want to protect . " She looked at me , nodded firmly , and signed her own name . The divorce process went more smoothly than we expected . Mom and I rented a small place outside , and our very first meal was a pot of stew . But before we could enjoy the happiness for long , she got a call from the orphanage . " I'm sorry , Ms. Dawson . We just received a notice and verified your current situation . Unfortunately , you no longer meet the conditions for adoption . Please return Kiddo as soon as possible Support Share