But the expected suffocation didn’t come. A strong hand grabbed my arm from behind and pulled me up.
“What are you doing? Today is Sister Lydia’s special day, and you’re pulling this stunt?”
I turned around to see my stepson, Jasper, panting heavily, his bright eyes aflame with
anger.
He was one of my targets in this world and later became the most fervent antagonist in the story.
He would become obsessed with the heroine, turn against his family, and ultimately become someone everyone shunned.
When I became Nolan’s second wife, Jasper was just six years old.
His birth mother had passed away, and his father was always busy with work. As a child, he caused trouble in the streets, seeking attention but often ending up bullied.
I brought him home, cleaned him up, and planned his future.
Jasper wasn’t interested in studying, so I encouraged him, saying a man could achieve great things in business.
For the first time, young Jasper had a dream. His eyes reddened, and he asked, “Can I
you Mom? They all laugh at me for not having a Mom, saying I’m a wild child…”
call
With my permission, he hugged me gently.
“Mom, when I grow up and make a lot of money, the first thing I’ll do is buy you a big house and give you a good life.”
But when he actually achieved his dream, his first request was to make Lydia his new
mom.
He stopped calling me Mom. He even hated me because Lydia said it was my fault she got kidnapped by bad people and couldn’t come back to see him.
The handsome your
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21:16 Sat, Feb 8
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དཎྜཱ ༤ ࿐. 40%
The handsome young man in front of me overlapped with the child who used to call me Mom, but his eyes were now filled with coldness.
“Stop pretending. You’re just trying to get our attention, right? If you really wanted to die, why choose the road where I’d be coming home from work, perfectly timed?”
I was speechless. I just wanted to find a not–too–ugly way to leave, in a place with a nice view. I never expected to run into Jasper.
Seeing that I didn’t reply, Jasper mocked, “If you really want to die, find a place further away. Sister Lydia loves this river. She takes walks here when the weather’s nice, so don’t…”
He suddenly stopped.
I quickly dashed to the other end of the broken bridge and jumped off.
Lydia likes this river, right?
Then I hope she never comes here again. Every time she does, I hate it more.
2
My body grew heavier, and in a daze, I heard the instruments ticking in the hospital room.
Dad, Mom, wait for me!
Your daughter will be home soon!
Just when I thought I would succeed, a powerful force dragged me back to the shore.
Jasper was soaked, his eyes misty with tears or water, I couldn’t tell.
Looking at Jasper, I jokingly teased him, “You don’t want me dead, huh?”
Jasper’s face twisted awkwardly, “You’re overthinking it. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. Even if you want to die, wouldn’t stop you, but not today! I don’t want Sister Lydia thinking of you and being unhappy on her anniversary!”
Of course, it was for Lydia.
21:16 Sat, Feb 8 Au
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2
Seeing I didn’t respond, Jasper dragged me home.
“Let’s go back. Today, you can’t die. If you really want to, find a place further away, at
least where I won’t see you!”
Jasper was strong, and I couldn’t break free. When we reached the Nolan Family’s door, we ran into my biological son, Declan, in this world.
He wore a neat suit, looking incredibly handsome.
He had rushed back from school, and upon seeing Jasper and me drenched, he gave me a quick glance but greeted Jasper, “Big Brother.”
Jasper nodded in response.
Declan then remarked, “Why are your clothes wet? Be careful not to catch a cold. Big Brother, change your clothes quickly. Sister Lydia and Dad’s wedding is about to start.”
Throughout, he didn’t look at me once, as if I wasn’t his real mom but a stranger on the
street.
In the original story, Declan was lost by the original character at birth and grew up in an orphanage, developing an extremely gloomy personality. The heroine would be the only light in his life.
But now that I’m here, I gave birth to him myself, and I have high hopes for him.
In my vision, he and I were connected by blood, not merely characters in a story.
He didn’t need me to “strategize” him, he would naturally be on my side.
I cherished Declan like my own eyes, afraid he might get lost like in the book. I did everything myself to ensure his safe upbringing
Declan indeed grew up to be a cultured gentleman, unlike the delinquent in the book.
He was humble, respectful to his parents, cared for his brothers, and even became a
school leader.
21:16 Sat, Feb 8
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I never doubted I could handle my own son.
But once Lydia appeared, my always considerate Declan turned into a different person.
He began doing all the things I disapproved of to show his dissatisfaction and rebellion
against me.
“Why does Mom always have to go against Sister Lydia? Clearly, Mom is in the wrong!”
I never expected that after reading so many books with Declan, all those principles would
become weapons he used against me.
“Mom is jealous of Sister Lydia, so she let her be kidnapped by bad people, showing no
kindness. How can you be my Mom?”
At the time, I stood there holding the nourishing soup I had gotten up early to make for
him, feeling like I didn’t recognize the son I raised.
He knocked the soup from my hands, saying he’d never eat anything I made again.
My heart ached beyond words, and I slapped him. His eyes turned on me with hatred.
Since then, we haven’t spoken a word to each other.
Hearing Declan’s question, Jasper looked uncomfortable. “Just now… she really jumped.”
Declan’s handsome brow furrowed slightly, his cold voice devoid of emotion. “Big Brother,
don’t be fooled by her. With you there, how could she die? She’s just using women’s tricks, seeking death because Sister Lydia is entering the family. Do you think she could really give
up the wealth and prosperity here…”
Before Declan finished, I slammed my head against the doorpost.
I sighed inwardly, hoping to die with some dignity, but these two boys were too noisy.
Hot blood ran down my cheek, and the world went black.
Before my consciousness completely faded, seemed to hear someone scream “Mom” in
agony.
