Chapter 9: Don't Leave, Mommy

Was Mommy going to divorce Daddy? What would happen to Little Yu?

His tears fell onto the paper. He reached to wipe them away, then worried he’d smudge the writing and carefully blotted them with his sleeve instead.

Should he tell Daddy? Daddy would be so sad. He loved Mommy so much…

The thought consumed him. By the time he returned to the gym, he looked utterly wilted.

Jingwan assumed the equipment didn’t interest him. “Do you want to go paint?”

Little Yu pressed his lips together, fighting tears. He looked up at her with watery eyes. “…Mommy.”

The word stirred her concern. She stepped off the treadmill, wiped away her sweat, and crouched in front of him. “What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to cry.”

“Mommy, don’t you want me anymore?”

Jingwan had no idea what was going through his head. He’d been fine before he went to put away her ring. “What?”

He hadn’t heard the answer he wanted. His mouth drooped, and he threw his arms around her. “Mommy, please keep me. And don’t leave Daddy either… okay?”

She stiffened. Hopeless at comforting children, she patted his back. “…I’ll call your dad.”

She would ask Congli for help. But as soon as she stood, Little Yu clung to her leg, crying, “Don’t leave, Mommy!”

The gym door was open. Hearing the commotion, Xiao Wei rushed in. She saw the boy crying against Jingwan’s leg and scooped him up, glaring at her. “Did you pinch or hit him? If you keep treating the young master like this, Madam Huo won’t let you get away with it!”

Jingwan recognized her as the maid who had come from the old residence, where she’d served Congli’s mother.

Her eyes narrowed and her lips curved. “What gives you the right to speak to me like that?”

Little Yu struggled in the maid’s arms, reaching for Jingwan. Xiao Wei pulled his hand back. “Don’t be afraid, young master. I’m here!”

“I want Mommy!” He wriggled free and ran straight back to Jingwan.

She moved him behind her and looked coldly at the maid. “Pack your things and get out. Now.”

Even Congli wouldn’t speak to her in that tone. Who was a maid to lecture her?

Xiao Wei despised her lofty manner. With the elder Mrs. Huo behind her, she dared say more. “Do you really think you’re the mistress of this family? You know exactly how you got here. Mr. Huo indulges you while you keep a pretty boy outside. How could a woman like you truly care about the child?”

Jingwan covered Little Yu’s ears. He shouldn’t hear such things.

“How I became Mrs. Huo is none of your concern,” she said bluntly. “We’re both women. Why so much malice? You’re simply resentful. Would you dare repeat those words in front of Huo Congli?”

Of course Xiao Wei wouldn’t. She knew how much he cherished Jingwan. If he heard about this, he would send her away too.

She clenched her fists. “I’ll explain to him myself when he gets back. I work for the elder Mrs. Huo. You have no right to dismiss me.”

Jingwan laughed as though she’d heard a fine joke. “All right. Let’s see.”

The housekeeper arrived out of breath. He respectfully greeted Jingwan, then noticed Little Yu’s red eyes. “Why is the young master crying?”

Little Yu pointed at Xiao Wei. “She tried to take me away from Mommy and kept saying bad things about her. She looked very mean.”

“I only came because I heard him crying,” Xiao Wei protested. “I was afraid he’d be hurt.” She turned to the housekeeper as though she, rather than Jingwan, were the child’s mother. “I was worried someone was bullying him.”

The housekeeper frowned. “Who would bully him here at home?”

“Su Jingwan, of course. How could a fickle woman like her genuinely care for a child? The elder Mrs. Huo sent me to protect the young master!”

“Shut your mouth!” he snapped. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

Xiao Wei shrank back, still feeling wronged.

Jingwan regarded her without a flicker of emotion. “Uncle Tang, send her away.”

“Yes, Madam. Please don’t be angry. I’ll take care of it.”

When Madam was angry, life became difficult for Mr. Huo, and the whole house grew oppressive—not an atmosphere fit for a child.

“What?” Xiao Wei stared in disbelief. “Didn’t you hear me? The elder Mrs. Huo sent me!”

Jingwan had no interest in listening. She picked up Little Yu and left.

Xiao Wei tried to follow, but Uncle Tang stopped her. “Where are you going? Madam has spoken. Pack your things and leave the estate.”

“I work for the elder Mrs. Huo. You can’t just throw me out.” Now she was truly frightened.

Uncle Tang stood straight. “The master and mistress own this estate. It isn’t wise for the elder Mrs. Huo to reach too far; Mr. Huo won’t be pleased.”

Seeing her aggrieved expression, he added, “Leave before he returns and you can still go with dignity. Pack your things. You’ll receive your wages.”

* * *

Congli left work early. He had called Jingwan twice without an answer. Knowing she’d been upset, he came straight home.

Pink and purple sunset filled the sky. Jingwan lay in a hanging chair in the sunroom, a fashion magazine over her face. Her pale blue skirt swayed with the chair, and her bare toes idly touched the floor.

His gaze lingered on her small, pale feet. A bottle of soft pink nail polish stood on the table, half-used. She’d painted only two toes before losing interest.

He approached, knelt before her, and lifted her foot onto his knee. Jingwan shifted; she was clearly awake but didn’t want to look at him.

He tried to finish painting her nails, but she planted her foot on his wrist to stop him.

Congli lowered his eyes and kissed her exposed calf, seeking forgiveness. “I’m sorry, Wanwan. She’s been sent away. It won’t happen again.”

Jingwan removed the magazine. “Your mother sent Xiao Wei to watch me. Did you know?”

She studied his deep-set eyes, which always seemed to hold nothing but affection for her. “Did you allow it? Do you also think I’d hurt Little Yu?”