Chapter 24
“What right do you have to hold my son?” Candace raised her hand to block his view of Jamie, her expression full of sorrow.
“When Jamie had a fever when he was one month old, and it was pouring rain, I begged you to take us to the hospital. Did you help us then?
“He needed emergency treatment and money, but you froze all my bank cards. Did you answer when I called you then?”
Shawn was struck speechless by her accusations and looked down as he replied, “I’m sorry, Candy. At the time, I was convinced that Yelena was-”
“Shawn, not everything can be fixed with a mere apology!
Candace’s voice was filled with pain as she added, “I will never forget for the rest of my life. Because of your indifference and cold–heartedness, my Jamie almost became brain–damaged!
“So you have no right to ask me to remarry you. And you certainly don’t get to suddenly show up and act like a loving father!”
Candace turned and walked away, never looking back, no matter how desperately Shawn called out to her. Shawn gripped the wheelchair handles tightly, tears falling drop by drop onto the yellow toy car.
In a haze, he saw a past vision of Jamie in the elevator. He was wrapped in a blue blanket, reaching out his little hand to grab Shawn’s sleeve. Milk dribbled from the baby’s mouth onto the back of his hand.
The little one’s dark eyes looked up at him with pure curiosity. The child was his own flesh and blood–his biological son. He was just a child who had recovered from a dangerous fever.
Yet what had he done? He had coldly shaken off Jamie’s touch and said, “What are you doing? That’s revolting!”
Jamie couldn’t understand those words, but he could sense the disgust with which his father looked at him. His little face crumpled with hurt as he buried himself in Candace’s arms, crying his heart out.
Meanwhile, Shawn had walked away with Yelena’s child, offering no comfort and never looking back at Jamie again. He had personally destroyed his child’s desire to get close to him. It was his indifference that severed any bond between them.
The sound of a child’s bright laughter interrupted Shawn’s train of thought. Following the sound, Shawn saw Zayne holding up the yellow toy car, playing with Jamie. The child giggled and threw himself into Zayne’s arms, planting a kiss on the man’s cheek.
Zayne beamed with joy, holding the child’s arms as he tossed him up in the air. “Do you like playing like this, Jamie?”
Jamie nodded enthusiastically, his chubby face glowing with delight. “Fly! More flying!”
“Alright. Daddy will make you fly!”
“Zayne, hold him tight and don’t drop him.” Candace hurried after them while opening a thermos.
“Here, sweetheart. Drink some of your favorite juice!”
“Mommy, I can fly!” Jamie spread his arms wide, excitedly demonstrating for her.
“Yes, you fly so well!” Candace gave him a thumbs–up in praise.
This scene cut Shawn to the core. He hit his head in regret, all while sobbing uncontrollably.
If only he could go back in time. He would have taken tender care of Candace and never made her cry during her postpartum recovery. He would have learned how to care for Jamie properly and built a real father–son relationship with him.
However, it was all too late! Candace looked through him as if he didn’t exist. She only had eyes for Zayne now.
Shawn’s hand trembled as he pulled a lily–patterned emerald ring from his pocket, his eyes flashing with intensity and desperation.
Jamie was his biological son, someone connected to him by blood. If he put in the effort to win him back, given enough time, Jamie would surely accept him as his father!
Once Jamie accepted him, winning back Candace would become much more possible. That was why he would never give up!
He was going to bring Candace and Jamie home to celebrate the holldays together as one big happy family with Lucia!
Chapter 25
