Anathea’s outstretched hand grasped at nothing, and her elbow slammed against the hard floor. A sharp pain shot through her arm, forcing a hiss from her lips.
Xander just stood there without any expression. There wasn’t a trace of concern in his eyes.
Anathea had nearly lost her life giving birth to him. Yet now, he watched indifferently as she lay on the ground writhing in pain.
Anathea felt as if an invisible hand was tightening around her heart, making it hard to breathe.
Only now did she realize that, apart from a few of her features, Xander was just like Gregory. They were both cold and indifferent.
Anathea’s eyes burned with a stinging ache before the world around her spun. Then, everything went black. She passed out from the pain.
In the end, it was Jenny who called an ambulance and got Anathea to the hospital.
…
When Anathea woke up, the sharp scent of antiseptic filled her nose.
“Acute gastritis caused by stomach dysfunction.” The doctor delivered the diagnosis and reminded her to watch her diet and avoid overthinking.
Anathea nodded weakly, her face still pale.
“Mrs. Sinclair, should I call Mr. Sinclair and let him know?” Jenny asked cautiously.
Truth be told, Jenny didn’t dare make the call herself, as everyone in the Sinclair family knew Gregory had never cared for Anathea. However, she was still his legally wedded wife.
“No, I just need some rest.” Anathea forced a smile. “You should go home and get some sleep too.”
Jenny felt Anathea was merely putting on a brave front. With a helpless sigh, she turned and left.
With Anathea left alone, the ward fell silent. Just as she was about to lie back down, a small figure appeared in the doorway. It was Xander.
“Xander?”
Anathea hadn’t expected him to show up. The memory of him coldly stepping aside and watching as she collapsed in pain without the slightest reaction left her with mixed feelings.
Xander seemed distant from her and didn’t seem to care about her.
“Mom,” he suddenly called out. His voice was adorable and innocent.
And just like that, whatever bitterness Anathea had in her heart melted away. Smiling, she reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’m okay.”
She reached out, wanting to hug her little boy.
Anathea knew he’d grown up under the Sinclair family’s strict rules. He simply wasn’t good at expressing himself. Deep down, he still loved her.
That was why, no matter how much Gregory resented her, she’d endured it all for Xander. She didn’t want her precious son to suffer once Gregory divorced her and married Natalie.
Anathea knew all too well how ugly power struggles in wealthy families could get. She just wanted to protect Xander. At this thought, her gaze softened with resolve as she looked at Xander.
But just as her hand was about to land on his shoulder, he asked, “Mom, can you divorce Dad?” He continued looking at her seriously.
Anathea’s hand froze in midair.
Could even a child tell that her marriage to Gregory was beyond saving? But he was so young. Why would he even think about divorce?
Anathea gently ruffled his hair and asked softly, “Why would you say that?”
She assumed Xander was just feeling insecure and tried to reassure him. “Don’t worry, Xander. I won’t divorce Dad.”
“But if you don’t divorce Dad, how can Ms. Whitman become my mom?”
Anathea stiffened, her eyes filled with disbelief. “What… did you just say?”
She would rather believe she’d misheard than accept that those words had actually come from his mouth.
But he repeated his words, clear as day, “I want you to divorce Dad so Ms. Whitman can marry him and be my mom.”
A child’s words should’ve been pure and innocent. But right now, they felt like knives slicing into Anathea’s heart.
“If Natalie becomes your mom, then what about me?” she asked, her voice shaking from the effort to keep herself together.
Her own son wanted another woman to take her place. How was she supposed to accept that?
Hearing her question, Xander lowered his head and fiddled with his fingers in silence. He went back to being the quiet, reserved child he’d always been.
Anathea stared at him, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind.
No. This wasn’t like Xander. He wouldn’t say something like that out of the blue.
Anathea grabbed his small shoulders and said, “Tell me, Xander. Did someone make you say that?”
Xander kept his lips sealed. Anathea’s frown deepened. “Xander, who told you to say this? Tell me, please.”
Still, he refused to speak.
As panic rose within her, she raised her voice. “Talk to me—”
Before she could finish, Xander burst into tears, wailing, “You’re so mean! I don’t want you! I want Ms. Whitman! I want Ms. Whitman!”
Anathea’s breath caught.
“What are you doing, Anathea?” A sharp voice cut through the air.
Anathea turned around and saw Gregory standing at the door of her ward. She blinked in confusion. Shouldn’t he be with Natalie at this hour? Why was he here? Did he come for her?
Anathea looked at Gregory with uncertainty.
But before she could say anything, Natalie appeared behind him and asked, “Ms. Jacobson, are you alright?”
The light in Anathea’s eyes immediately dimmed. Of course, she’d been overthinking it. How could she ever be more important than Natalie to Gregory? There was no way he would leave Natalie behind just for her.
Xander, still crying, ran straight to Gregory and tugged on his pant leg. “Dad! Mom is so mean! She’s a bad woman! I don’t want her to be my mom! I want Ms. Whitman instead!”
Each word was like a needle piercing Anathea’s heart over and over again. Even breathing felt painful at that moment.
“Xander.” Gregory frowned. His tone carried an unspoken authority as he said, “How can you shout like this? Where did all your manners go?”
Xander instantly fell silent. His eyes were red and teary as he sniffled, making him look utterly pitiful.
“Greg, he’s just a kid. Don’t be so harsh on him,” Natalie cooed, calling Gregory by his pet name. Then, she stretched out a hand to Xander. “It’s okay, Xander. Come to me.”
“Xander!” Anathea called out, reaching for him too. “Come to me.”
She could give Gregory to Natalie, but Xander was the one person bound to her by blood. There was no way he would choose someone else over her.
Anathea refused to believe it. Her eyes shone with desperate hope as she looked at Xander.
Xander glanced between Anathea and Natalie. Then, he ran straight into Natalie’s arms.
