The color drained from his face. “Linda, a joke’s a joke, but this has gone too far. How could you just grab some random kid?”
“This is basically kidnapping! You could go to jail for this, you know? Take him back to his parents right now!”
Fuming, Owen grabbed Tim’s arm, ready to drag him back himself.
I slapped his hand away and pulled Tim into my arms. “What do you think you’re doing?”
The kindergarten teacher saw us and walked over.
“Oh, you must be Tim’s father! We always see his mom, but we’ve never had the pleasure. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Hearing this, Owen stared at me in shock.
“He’s really your son?”
“Of course.” I was about to leave with my son, but he blocked my path.
His gaze fixed on the teacher. “How old is the boy?”
“Tim is three years old.”
Three!
Owen grabbed me with both hands. “Linda, he’s my son, isn’t he? You were pregnant back then—why didn’t you tell me?”
I looked at him coolly. “If I had been pregnant with your child back then, would you really not have married Mia?”
“I…” Owen was at a loss for words. He looked down, his brow furrowed. “Mia would have died if I didn’t marry her.”
I laughed coldly. “Thank God he’s not your son.”
“Linda, I’m taking you and our son home. Right now.”
“My parents have been hoping for a grandchild for years. If you come back with our son, they’ll stop caring that our families aren’t on the same level.”
I nearly rolled my eyes into the back of my head. “Who wants to go back with you? I already told you, he’s not your son. Are you deaf or just stupid?”
“Linda, stop making a scene. There’s no way I’m letting a child of the Mason family grow up out on his own.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? And how could you let our son go to a school like this? How is he supposed to get a good education in a rundown, crowded place like this?”
I glanced at the kindergarten, then back at Owen.
This is one of the top-rated magnet schools in the state, a direct feeder into the best elementary, middle, and high schools. Do you have any idea what that’s worth? It’s leagues beyond those so-called “elite” private schools where kids just coast.
I specifically had Ethan get our son into this program so he wouldn’t pick up the arrogant, entitled attitude of all those trust-fund kids.
I never thought Owen would look down on it like this. It really made me glad I didn’t marry such a short-sighted man.
“Stay away from us. This has nothing to do with you,” I said coldly.
“If he’s not my son, then whose is he?” Owen grabbed the teacher’s arm. “You tell me! Who’s listed as the father on the child’s records?”
Because I hadn’t wanted to reveal our identity, the “father” field on the school forms had always been left blank. The teacher had no idea who Tim’s dad was.
As soon as Owen heard the father’s section was empty, he became even more convinced that Tim was his son.
“Linda, it must have been hard being a single mom all these years. You’ve had your fun being stubborn. Now, come home with me.”
Tim didn’t understand what we were arguing about. He just whispered in my ear, “Mommy, didn’t you say we were getting fries?”
Owen reacted as if he’d heard something outrageous, suddenly flying into a rage.
“Linda, how can you let my son eat that kind of garbage?”
“You always loved that cheap street food, and now you’re feeding that filthy stuff to my son? What if he gets sick?”
“Could you even handle that? He’s the only heir to the Mason family!”
I have our nanny make fries especially for him at home. How is that unhygienic?
I ignored Owen and got into the car, holding my son.
But Owen blocked the car door. “Don’t get in this piece of junk. My son deserves better.”
I’d deliberately chosen an unremarkable car to avoid attracting attention. It wasn’t luxurious, but I had customized the back seat to be as safe and comfortable as possible for Tim.
If Owen had just glanced at the back seat, he would have seen that I had a child and that I took very good care of him.
But he never paid attention to any of the details of my life.
Instead, he just pointed at his Mercedes. “Only I can give you the best in life.”
Just then, Mia Walsh walked up, wearing a formal gown that looked completely out of place on the bustling street.
She tiptoed with a look of disgust, her brow slightly furrowed. “Owen, I thought you were picking up Linda. What are you doing here? After this, you’re supposed to take me to meet the mysterious Chairman Brooks, the one who just took over the Brooks Group.”
Owen’s expression softened the moment he saw her. “I remember, Mia, don’t worry,” he said gently. “I’d never forget something important to you.”
“There’s just a little trouble to sort out with Linda. I’ll take you to see Ethan Brooks in a bit. You’re so beautiful, I’m sure you can win him over and become the next Mrs. Brooks.”
“The Brooks family is the number one family in River Northland, way more powerful than the Masons. You’ll definitely be happy, Mia.”
“I’ll handle this quickly. Just wait for me, okay?”
I froze for a second listening to them. Are they saying what I think they’re saying?
Mia was supporting Owen in getting back with his ex-girlfriend, while Owen was helping Mia find her next husband.
And the crucial part… this Ethan Brooks they were talking about… couldn’t be my husband, could he?
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