Chapter 7 I Don\u2019t Want Mom Anymore\u00a0<\/p>\n
45\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was 1:30 p.m., and Vincent was in the middle of a high-stakes meeting with his company\u2019s executives. When his personal phone rang, he almost hit \u201cdecline\u201d on instinct-he assumed it was Scarlett, calling to pester him again. But when he glanced at the screen, he saw it was labeled \u201cSunshine Kindergarten\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Panic flickered through him. What if something had happened to Vanessa? He cut the meeting short, muttering an apology to his team, and stepped into the hallway to answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this Vanessa Stewart\u2019s parent?\u201d The voice on the other end asked, crisp and professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, this is her father,\u201d Vincent replied, his voice tighter than he intended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hosting a parent-child event today, and Vanessa\u2019s parent hasn\u2019t arrived yet,\u201d the teacher explained. There was a hint of frustration in her tone-like she\u2019d had to make this call one too many times. \u201cI know these events might seem small to adults, but they mean the world to the kids. When we start the group activities, every other child will have a parent there\u2026 except Vanessa. Can you imagine how that\u2019ll make her feel?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent was caught off guard. He\u2019d sent Scarlett a text-he was sure of it. He\u2019d assumed she\u2019d seen it, that she\u2019d show up like she always did, quiet and compliant. But clearly, she hadn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was no time to track Scarlett down now. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. \u201cI\u2019ll be there in 20 minutes. I\u2019m on my way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hung up, told his secretary to reschedule the meeting, and rushed out of the office, his mind. racing. Why hadn\u2019t Scarlett gone? She never missed anything involving Vanessa-even when he\u2019d ignored her for weeks, she\u2019d still shown up to parent-teacher conferences, school plays, doctor\u2019s appointments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By 4:30 p.m., the event was over. Vanessa walked out of the kindergarten with her head down, her lower lip stuck out in a pout.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He opened the back door for her, and she climbed in, still silent. They sat there for a minute before he spoke, his voice softening. \u201cRough day?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
eyes welled up with tears. \u201cWhere was Mom?\u201d she snapped, her voice wobbly. \u201cShe said she\u2019d come! Everyone else had their mom, but I only had you. Sabrina was busy with her concert, so I couldn\u2019t even ask her. It was embarrassing!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent took her hand, squeezing it gently. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, baby. That\u2019s my fault, not yours. I should\u2019ve double-checked with Mom. It won\u2019t happen again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But his apology didn\u2019t cheer her up. She crossed her arms, staring out the window. \u201cThe relay race was supposed to be for moms and kids. I had to run with you, and you\u2019re way taller than\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 71 Don\u2019t Want Mom Anymore\u00a0<\/p>\n
the other parents. We won, but it didn\u2019t feel fair. Everyone was staring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent opened his mouth to comfort her, but his phone rang again. It was Amanda. He hesitated, then answered-he knew she\u2019d blow up his phone if he didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow\u2019s your father\u2019s birthday,\u201d Amanda said, no preamble. \u201cA few relatives are coming over for dinner tonight to celebrate early. Grab Vanessa and meet me at Lexi Mall-I need help picking out a gift.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent blinked. He\u2019d completely forgotten about Richard\u2019s birthday. \u201cGot it. We\u2019ll be there in 15 minutes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hung up and turned to Vanessa, who was still pouting. He brushed a strand of hair off her forehead, his voice warm. \u201cHey, tomorrow\u2019s Grandpa\u2019s birthday. You remember how Mom always cooks a big feast at Stewart Manor? She probably skipped today\u2019s event to get everything ready-she\u2019s probably been in the kitchen since this morning.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa thought for a second, then nodded. That made sense. Mom was always cooking for Grandpa\u2019s birthday-she\u2019d make his favorite sweet potato pie, his go-to braised ribs, even those tiny meatballs he loved. Her mood lifted a little. \u201cOh. Okay. I didn\u2019t think about that. The other kids would\u2019ve laughed at me if I said my mom forgot, anyway.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent chuckled, relieved. \u201cNext time there\u2019s an event, I\u2019ll ask Sabrina to go with that sound?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
you. How\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s face lit up instantly. The pout vanished, replaced by a grin. \u201cReally? Yay! You\u2019re the best dad ever!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He ruffled her hair. \u201cShall we go meet Grandma at the mall, then head to Grandpa\u2019s house?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s smile faded. \u201cIs Mom gonna be at Grandpa\u2019s?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She still remembered the last time she\u2019d seen Scarlett-how Mom had slapped Sabrina, how Mom had made her cry. She didn\u2019t want to hug her or kiss her. Mom smelled like burnt oil and hospitals; Sabrina smelled like vanilla and flowers. Mom\u2019s hands were rough from washing dishes; Sabrina\u2019s hands were soft when she braided Vanessa\u2019s hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent saw the conflict in her eyes. He didn\u2019t want to lie to her. \u201cYeah, she will be. It\u2019s Grandpa\u2019s birthday-she wouldn\u2019t miss it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s lower lip trembled. She looked up at him with big, teary eyes. \u201cCan I ignore her? I\u2019m still mad. I won\u2019t talk to her until she says sorry to Sabrina.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent buckled her seatbelt, his heart softening. \u201cSure, baby. Whatever you want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He drove to Lexi Mall, picked up Amanda, and by 6 p.m., they were pulling into the driveway of Stewart Manor. Amanda chattered on the phone the whole way, gushing to relatives about\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 31\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 71 Don\u2019t Want Mom Anymore\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s \u201camazing cooking\u201d and how the dinner would be \u201cthe best one yet\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when they walked in, the house was dark. The living room was empty\u2014no streamers, no table set for guests, no sound of laughter. The kitchen was even worse-the counters were clean, the stove cold, not a single pot or pan out of place. No sweet smell of pie, no savory aroma of ribs-nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda froze. She rubbed her eyes, like she couldn\u2019t believe what she was seeing. For five years, Scarlett had handled every birthday, every holiday, every family gathering. She\u2019d wake up at dawn to shop, spend hours in the kitchen, and have everything ready by 5 p.m. sharp. Amanda had bragged about her to every friend, every cousin\u2014Scarlett\u2019s such a great daughter- in-law. She knew how to keep a family happy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, it was all gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is wrong with Scarlett?\u201d Amanda snapped, her voice echoing through the empty house. \u201cDoes she need a calendar reminder? Does she think this is a joke?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pulled out her phone, dialing Scarlett\u2019s number so hard her knuckles turned white.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No answer. She called again. Still nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Furious, she threw her phone against the wall. It shattered into pieces, plastic and glass scattering across the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent stepped in front of Vanessa, shielding her from the outburst. He knelt down, whispering, \u201cIt\u2019s okay, baby. Grandma\u2019s just upset. We\u2019ll go out to eat instead\u2014your favorite, okay? The pizza place with the unicorn sprinkles.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda rounded on him, her face red. \u201cWe always have dinner here! I told everyone we\u2019d be hosting! Now what am I supposed to say? That my son\u2019s wife can\u2019t even be bothered to cook for her father-in-law\u2019s birthday? That she doesn\u2019t care about this family?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019d never liked Scarlett-not really. If it hadn\u2019t been for Vincent\u2019s grandmother, who\u2019d insisted on the marriage after Scarlett got pregnant, Amanda would\u2019ve picked someone \u201cbetter\u201d-someone from a wealthy family, someone who knew how to \u201cact like a Stewart\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa clung to Vincent\u2019s neck, scared. He ignored Amanda\u2019s rant, his mind wandering. Scarlett hadn\u2019t answered his calls yesterday. She\u2019d missed Vanessa\u2019s event. She\u2019d forgotten the birthday dinner. This wasn\u2019t like her. Not at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Had something happened to her? Was she sick? But she was a doctor-she\u2019d know how to take care of herself. Had she gotten into an accident? He should\u2019ve checked the hospital records.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy,\u201d Vanessa mumbled into his shoulder, \u201cMom did this on purpose. She didn\u2019t want to come to my event. She didn\u2019t want to cook for Grandpa. She wanted me to be embarrassed. She\u2019s a bad mom. Sabrina would never let me feel this way. I don\u2019t want Mom anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/1\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3 \u2191\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 7 I Don\u2019t Want Mom Anymore\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s heart tightened. He held her closer, not knowing what to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
M\u00a0<\/p>\n
A 46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3 \u2191\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e0a\u0e23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 7 Chapter 7 I Don\u2019t Want Mom Anymore\u00a0 45\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 It was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27371\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}