Part 3My Son Called His Father’s Mistress “Mom”—Until I Walked Away

“Merry Christmas, Victoria.”

“Merry Christmas, Professor Robert.”

“Victoria, what’s wrong? You don’t sound very happy.”

Professor Robert was quick to notice my low spirits. The sudden, genuine concern made my nose prickle with tears. After my mother passed away, the professor was the first person to truly care about me.

“It’s... it’s nothing, Professor,” I choked out, trying to steady my voice.

“Good girl. If anything is bothering you, you can always tell me. Today is Christmas, and I’ve prepared a gift for you. Come on over, Steve and I are waiting for you.

“The flight I booked happens to be right after Christmas. Talk it over with your family. This project requires absolute confidentiality. Once you enter the research institute, you won’t be able to return for three years.”

“There’s no need to discuss it, Professor,” I replied. “I’ve already made up my mind.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I hung up and drove toward the professor’s house.

Halfway there, my phone suddenly rang.

“Hello, is this David’s mother? David was just in a car accident. He’s currently at the hospital…”

The moment I heard the words car accident, my heart leaped into my throat. My body trembled uncontrollably as sheer terror consumed me.

I sped toward the hospital, my heart pounding violently against my ribs as tears streamed down my face. I desperately prayed to God over and over, begging Him to keep David safe.

I tried calling Edmund repeatedly, but he didn’t answer a single time. My heart sank deeper into an abyss with every missed call.

Yet, when I finally rushed to the door of the hospital room, the sound of bright laughter and joy drifted out from inside.

“David, let’s place a bet,” Avery’s voice echoed from within. “Let’s see how many minutes it takes for your mom to get here.”

“Mom won’t come,” David replied sullenly. “She said she doesn’t care about me anymore.”

“Don’t worry, David. Your mom will definitely show up. After all, she fought a custody battle for you for two whole years, and she didn’t even hesitate to quit her job at the research institute just to take care of you.

“How about this? If your mom comes, you tell your dad that you want me to be your mom. If she doesn’t show up, I’ll buy you that Spider-Man toy you wanted. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Standing outside the door, listening to them use my desperation as a gambling chip, I felt completely frozen.

I violently threw the door open. The moment they saw me, the smiles froze instantly on their faces.

Avery was the first to recover. She immediately wore a slightly provocative smile and said, “Look, David, what did I tell you? Your mom always shows up.”

David’s expression instantly shifted from embarrassment to delight. But before he could speak, I cut him off.

“Why did you lie to me? Who taught you to do this?”

Terrified by my sudden outburst, David looked on the verge of tears as he stared at Avery in distress.

“It wasn’t me…”

“Victoria, stop it. You’re scaring him,” Avery said, instantly rising to shield David behind her. She walked over and tried to grab my hand.

“Victoria, I know you’re sensitive about car accidents. But if I didn’t say that, how else would I get you to come see David?

“He really wanted to see you. I didn’t have a choice.”

I saw the triumphant gleam in her eyes. She had done this on purpose. She knew perfectly well that my mother’s death was the deepest wound in my heart, yet she deliberately ripped the scab open.

Slap!

I struck her across the face with everything I had.

Seeing this, David instantly jumped out of the bed, threw himself in front of me, and began swinging his small fists at me.

“Why did you hit Avery? You bad woman! I don’t want you to visit me anymore! Go away! Get out!”

“If you didn’t want me to visit, why did you lie?”

David looked up at me, his eyes burning with resentment. Avery quickly stepped forward and pulled David into her arms.

“I’m sorry, Victoria, it’s all my fault. I just thought there was some misunderstanding between you and David, and I wanted to get you both together to have a good talk.

“I know you don’t want to see me, and it’s all my fault. Please don’t take your anger out on David. He’s just a child.”

Disgusted by Avery’s hypocritical performance, I spat out a single word.

“Get out!”

Right then, the door to the room swung open again. Edmund walked in, immediately stepping in front of Avery. He frowned at me, his face twisting in anger.

“Victoria, what kind of madness is this now?”