Chapter 17
Shannon looked at Christopher, who seemed to have grown taller. She couldn’t help but shake her head.
She’d raised him with her own hands, full of patience and love. Yet, he’d hurt her time and again with his words and actions.
Shannon watched Christopher grow from a baby to a toddler learning how to walk, then to a child starting kindergarten, only to see him give away the gold bars she had gifted him yearly.
He always assumed the worst about her, but showered Laura with love and affection.
While Shannon’s love for Christopher was real, so was her disappointment in him.
Perhaps in a child’s world, a simple apology could fix everything. Unfortunately, she was an adult now, and apologies didn’t solve anything in a grown- up’s world.
Shannon looked at Christopher and said seriously, “Apologies are the least effective way to solve things, Christopher. Also, don’t call me ‘Mommy‘ anymore. I stopped being your mother the moment ny agreement expired a year ago.”
Although Christopher couldn’t understand everything, he clearly understood that his mother no longer wanted him. As such, he started bawling by the roadside.
Upon hearing Shannon’s words, Thomas also broke down in tears, unable to say anything.
After some time, he said, “I’m sorry, Shannon. I didn’t know Laura was that kind of person. I’ve regretted it, and I shouldn’t have hurt you repeatedly over Laura. Can we please start anew?”
Shannon laughed bitterly. “There’s no use talking about this now. Everything that happened was real and raw. I can’t just erase my past sufferings or pretend that none of it ever happened.”
Thomas looked at her and was about to say something when Jacob walked out. He took her hand and said, “The dinner is about to start, Shannon. Come back with me.”
When he heard that, Thomas shot Shannon a hopeful look, but she merely smiled at Jacob. “Alright.”
She then ignored the stunned father–and–son duo and left without any
hesitation.
The wedding ended after dinner, but Shannon didn’t book a flight back to Murica.
She had to negotiate a partnership with a domestic company. Her team would provide the content, while the domestic company would handle the promotion and marketing.
On their way back to the hotel, Jacob suddenly looked at Shannon and asked, “Why did you divorce Mr. Ford back then?”
She didn’t deflect the question. Instead, she slowly replied, “Back then, my dad was rushed into the ICU and needed money for treatment. The Fords were the ones who covered the bill. In return, I signed a five–year contract to help Thomas get back on his feet.”
“So, you divorced because the contract expired?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, but not entirely. I divorced because I gradually realized that I no longer looked like myself. I lost my confidence and lived like a cold–blooded machine instead of a human. During those five years, I always put others first. Now, I want to live for myself.” Pain filled Shannon’s eyes as she spoke.
Jacob couldn’t help but feel heartbroken for her. He looked at her and smiled. “Fortunately, you’ve endured past the hard times now. You’ll no longer be tied down by the agreement,”
Shannon smiled through her tears and nodded.
She no longer had to rely on anyone anymore. She finally had the power to make her own choices.
