Chapter 4 The second the cops bounced , I got a text from Mom . " Mia , honey , your sister hit us up . She said she's working outta town . Your dad and I are way too old to raise a baby - just treat him like your own . " I shot back right away : " Mom , what are you even saying ? I got a boyfriend now . When we get married we'll have our own kids . No freaking way I'm taking that baby ! " She didn't mention what went down today . So I just played dumb . From that day on ? Never talked to Mom and Dad again . Marcus was seriously good to me . After six months we got engaged . On our wedding day I invited Mom , Dad , and all our people . Right after that we moved to a branch office . Marcus opened his restaurant there too . From then on , except holidays , I never went back home . Even when I did visit ? Quick in and out . Then I had my daughter . Then two years later my son - perfect pair . My son was brilliant from day one . At fifteen ? Got into Harvard's early program . When the news dropped , our whole family went nuts . Marcus went all out . Brought me and the kids back to our hometown for this huge celebration ! All our friends and relatives showed up . Mom and Dad too . My son William was only fifteen but tall as hell . Looked about the same size as my daughter . This made Mom and Dad think he was Sophia's kid . Mom grabbed my son's hand and patted it . " If Sophie knew her boy turned out this successful , she'd be so proud ! " " Mom , why you bringing up Sophie on such a good day ? Did she come back ? " Mom's eyes flickered . " No ! She didn't come back ! " " All these years and she's never visited you two . Something bad probably happened . I heard when people just vanish like that ? They're usually gone for good ! " Over the years I'd heard tons of relatives talking trash about Sophia . With some help from me and the neighbors , everyone knew Sophia had a baby and bailed . Never even came home for holidays . Chapter 4 But I knew Mom and Dad were secretly talking to her this whole time . Hearing me say this , Mom's face went dark . Her shrill voice cut through the whole hall : " Stop talking nonsense ! Sophia's alive and well ! " Suddenly everyone's staring at us . Mom looked embarrassed as hell . I smiled . " Sounds like you and Sophie still talk , Mom . Why doesn't she go find her son ? " " But … Dumping her own kid like that - she's probably not doing great . Whatever , I won't talk about today . " Mom looked relieved but opened her mouth like she wanted to explain . I waited . She stayed quiet . The last bit of hope I had for her ? Dead . In my past life , when that ungrateful brat made it big , Sophia came back . This time was the same - knew she'd show up today . Just wasn't sure when . But I didn't care anymore . ' Cause with my son getting into Harvard . They sent teachers over . Plus reporters . All eyes on our table right now . My son took the stage as today's star . When he stood up there , Mom and Dad didn't even realize he was only 15 . Meanwhile , Sophia's bastard kid - if he was even still alive - would be like eighteen now . They hadn't figured that out yet . Just kept looking at their phones . I smirked and squeezed Marcus's hand . We shared a yok . My son stood on stage : " Getting into Harvard , the person I'm most grateful for is my mom . Without her support ? I definitely wouldn't have made it . " " Mom , come up here ! " My son waved me over . moothed my dress and was about to go up when I heard someone yell : She's not your mother ! She doesn't deserve to be up there ! " ♡ ( 0 )