- 9.
Ryan wasn’t happy about giving me that much of the marital assets, and Annie Jo was even less thrilled.
Let’s be real–Annie wasn’t with Ryan for “true love.” She was in it for the money. So, of course, she came up with a plan: give me full custody of James. She figured that if Ryan handed me the kid, I might let go of the financial fight.
Her earlier attempts to charm James weren’t because she genuinely wanted to be his stepmom. She just wanted to play the role of the sweet, nurturing woman in front of Ryan, a perfect contrast to the “bitter old wife” I was supposed to be.
Now, if giving James to me meant protecting the Harris family fortune, Annie was all in. She’d practically won the lottery.
Ryan, of course, hesitated. James was his eldest son, the Harris family’s first grandson. He did have some feelings for his child, but after weighing his options, he decided this was probably the most “cost–effective” solution. So, he came to me with the offer.
The funny thing was, it didn’t even cross his mind that I might refuse. In Ryan’s mind, James was my whole world. He probably thought everything I’d asked for–houses, cash- was just a roundabout way of ensuring I got custody.
The old me would’ve agreed without a second thought. But now?
Only a fool wouldn’t know the obvious choice between a burdensome kid and a fortune.
“James’s last name is Harris,” I said coldly. “Not Shaw.”
Ryan looked at me like I’d just slapped him. “Nicole, he’s your son. Can you live with yourself, abandoning him like this?”
“Don’t try to guilt–trip me with the whole ‘motherly love‘ act. I’ve done more than enough for him. It’s James who should think about whether he’s lived up to being my son,” I said
calmly.
ved that relationships are a two–way street.
21:16 Wed, Mar 12
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The funny thing was, it didn’t even cross his mind that I might refuse. In Ryan’s mind, James was my whole world. He probably thought everything I’d asked for–houses, cash- was just a roundabout way of ensuring I got custody.
The old me would’ve agreed without a second thought. But now?
Only a fool wouldn’t know the obvious choice between a burdensome kid and a fortune.
“James’s last name is Harris,” I said coldly. “Not Shaw.”
Ryan looked at me like I’d just slapped him. “Nicole, he’s your son. Can you live with yourself, abandoning him like this?”
“Don’t try to guilt–trip me with the whole ‘motherly love‘ act. I’ve done more than enough for him. It’s James who should think about whether he’s lived up to being my son,” I said
calmly.
I’ve always believed that relationships are a two–way street.
James stabbed me in the back. Did he really think I would keep treating him like he’s my
precious baby?
“Nicole, you’ve lost your mind!” Ryan snapped before storming out.
It didn’t take long before James picked up on the tension at home. One day, he
approached me with his big, innocent eyes and said, “Mom, are you and Dad getting a divorce? Please don’t. I don’t want you to!”
If this had been a few months ago, I might’ve been moved to tears. But now, I just found
it laughable.
I looked at him with a faint smile. “Didn’t you always say you wanted Miss Jo to be your stepmom? Well, congratulations–your wish is about to come true.”
James froze. His face turned pale, and his lips trembled like he was about to cry. “Mom… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean it…”
“It’s okay,” I said lightly. “You’ll have a new mom soon, and I can always have another child. That seems fair, doesn’t it?”
21:16 Wed, Mar 12 22.
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80%
“Another child?” His voice cracked as he clung to me. “No! I don’t want a little brother or sister! You always said I was the one you loved the most!”
In the past, hearing James say things like this would’ve melted my heart. I would’ve thought, Oh, he really loves me. But now? All I felt was disgust.
He wasn’t saying these things because he cared about me. He was saying them because he didn’t want to lose his position as the center of attention. Typical selfishness from a spoiled kid.
I don’t doubt that James genuinely doesn’t want me to leave.
But it’s not because he loves me. Just like his father, James is a textbook self–serving pragmatist. He’s finally realized that keeping me around benefits him more than trading me in for a new stepmom.
Unfortunately for him, I’m done playing the part of the “selfless, devoted mother.”
