Chapter 6
I managed a bitter smile.
“Shaun, I don’t want any answers from you or anyone else anymore. I only want you all to leave me alone.
“I mean it.”
Shaun’s lips twitched, and his hands shook.
“I’m sorry. I broke my promise. When you suddenly said you wanted a divorce, I agreed out of anger, I thought you’d come back to me soon enough.
“I never thought about how you felt. Quiana, I promise I only see Stella as a sister. I’ve never liked her in that way. Jaxon is just acting out because you’ve always been controlling. He still cares about you.”
Hearing Shaun’s excuses made me feel sick.
I was exhausted and looked at him wearily. “Just go away. I don’t want to hear your excuses.”
“Mom?”
Just then, a Maybach pulled up, and two people got out.
Jaxon was holding Stella’s hand as they walked over.
I suddenly remembered that this bus stop was near Jaxon’s school.
Jaxon pursed his lips. “Mom, I was wrong that day. I shouldn’t have said that and made you angry.”
Stella looked awkward. “Quiana, you’re back! I saw you and Shaun from a distance when I went to pick up Jaxon. I thought I was mistaken.”
She held onto Jaxon’s hand tightly and had no intention of letting go.
Jaxon winced and pulled his hand away from Stella.
“Aunt Stella, you’re hurting me.”
He ran to me and hugged me.
Stella looked upset but did not say anything.
I noticed her reaction.
“Mom, I was acting spoiled before. I missed you a lot.”
“Jazon, you should know something. I’m not your mom anymore. You said on the phone that you didn’t want me to be your mom, and I took that seriously. So now, I’m keeping my distance. Aren’t you happy about that?”
Jaxon was stunned, and tears filled his eyes.
Shaun pulled Jazon to him and asked, “Jaxon, what did you say to your mom on the phone?”
“I–I was just saying things, Mom. I didn’t want you to tell me what to do back then. I now realize that having a mom who cares is a good thing.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 6
He started crying, and Stella quickly hugged him.
Stella shot me a displeased glance. “Quiana, he’s just a kid! Don’t take what he says too seriously.”
“Stella, I want to be honest with you too.” I sighed. “Aren’t you tired of pretending all these years?”
Stella’s face immediately changed. “What are you talking about, Quiana? Why would I be pretending?”
“You’ve been pretending to be nice to me in front of others for years. You must have been disgusted.”
Hearing that, Stella said sadly, “Quiana, why would you doubt me? Shaun, does Quiana think I took you away
from her?”
Shaun said, “Quiana, Stella always tells me how good you are to her. How could she hate you? You’re reading
too much into this.”
Jaxon softly added, “Mom, Aunt Stella missed you too. She said she wanted to take me to Jorath to see you.”
I was tired of Stella’s pretense and the excuses from Shaun and Jaxon.
I had enough of their lies.
I snorted and said, “Stella, you can’t pretend forever. Just remember, I don’t want them anymore. I hope you
three are happy, but please leave me alone.”
Shaun said urgently, “Quiana, don’t read too much into this. I said it was my fault. I broke my promise. Just give me another chance. I promise-”
“Your promises mean nothing to me!” I interrupted him and looked at him wearily.
“Shaun, your promises are worthless!”
In the middle of our argument, Shaun suddenly got a phone call.
Stella said, “Your family’s having a party tonight. Your mom is probably calling to remind you about it. Let’s go. Give Quiana some space.”
Shaun looked at me intently.
“Quiana, I know you’re upset right now. I’ll wait for you to change your mind.”
With that, he looked a bit lost as he left with Jaxon.
“You think too highly of yourself.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
After they were gone, I had dinner and then found a hotel near the hospital to stay for the night.
Shaun kept calling me from a new number.
I had forgotten how annoying he could be.
I turned off my phone and covered my ears with a pillow
Chapter 6
The TV showed the live broadcast of the Harrison family
