NovelNext Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I've always been swamped with work, so Mason has taken on most of the responsibilities when it comes to our daughter, Angie.
Still, whenever I had some free time, I made sure to spend it with her. We'd travel together, bake cakes, and I'd spoil her with cute dresses.
Whenever she was sick, I'd drop everything to stay by her side, never letting her feel a lack of motherly love. Over the years, we've always been close.
But recently, Angie had started pulling away, her attitude toward me becoming sharp and cold. I couldn't help but wonder if Miss Taylor had something to do with it.
After some thought, I decided to sit down with Angie for a heart-to-heart. I gently pushed open her bedroom door, only to find her sitting in Mason's lap, video-calling someone.
They didn't notice me enter since their backs were to the door. Angie was holding the phone close to her face, her voice sweet and eager.
"Miss Taylor, when are you moving into our house?"
"I gave that old witch a hard time today. As soon as Daddy agrees to divorce her, I'll make her leave! Then you can be my new mommy!"
On the other end of the call, Miss Taylor's voice was full of delight.
"Angie, you're such a good girl! But remember, once you pick a new mommy, there's no going back. Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Angie tilted her head and huffed.
"Of course not! I can't wait to have a new mommy!"
She grinned, then added, "Miss Taylor, Daddy already said he's going to divorce Mommy. When you move in, can I have all the ice cream I want? And can we get a bunch of puppies too? Please?"
Mason was sitting beside her, smiling gently, saying nothing to correct her.
The atmosphere between them felt so warm, like a little family planning their future.
I stood there, stone-faced, and pulled out my phone, starting to record the whole scene.
Miss Taylor wasn't just crossing the line; she was digging herself a grave.
At one point, Mason glanced at the screen and saw my skirt in the background. His expression froze immediately.
He gently set Angie down and stammered, "Jenna, wait, it's not what you think! We're just trying to make Angie happy—"
Before he could finish, Angie jumped in front of him, fists clenched like a little guard dog.
"Mommy, you're just a mean old witch! Don't you dare bully Daddy!"
My anger flared. I snatched the phone from Angie's hands and addressed Miss Taylor directly.
"Miss Taylor, do you really think it's okay to poison a child's mind against her own mother? Don't you think your tactics are a bit... pathetic?"
Miss Taylor covered her mouth in fake surprise, her eyes gleaming with smugness.
"Oh, Angie's Mom," she said sweetly, "we were just trying to make Angie happy. Why do you have to take everything so seriously?"
She smirked and added, "No wonder Angie keeps telling me you act like a wicked witch. Growing up in such a tense household must be so hard for her."
Then, as if she hadn't insulted me enough, she added with a condescending smile, "And I've heard you're always out wining and dining for work. A woman should know how to carry herself. Unlike me—I'd devote myself completely to my family if I had one."
Her smugness was like a lit match to my fury. I wanted to reach through the screen, grab her by the hair, and drag her off her high horse.
But I wasn't about to stoop to her level.
I straightened my back, keeping my face calm and cold. "Miss Taylor, as a teacher, you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to destroy someone else's family. You're unworthy of your position, and you're unworthy of the trust parents put in you."
I paused for a moment, then delivered my final warning.
"If you don't stop, I'll make sure everyone knows what you're really about."