Chapter 139
Please, tell them—we’re family! I just want to take the child home with me. I wasn’t trying to kidnap him”
“You want to take him home?” I asked, my voice icy. “Then why didn’t you call me first?”
I glared at her. “Since I divorced Dexter, when have you ever said anything about wanting to see Juno? Even when we lived together, you didn’t care for him. As his grandmother, how dare you suddenly claim you want to take him home?
Kimberly was momentarily speechless before she started crying in desperation. “I really miss my grandson… I didn’t mean any harm, I swear.
“Who was that man with you?” I demanded. “Is he one of your creditors? Or are you planning to use Juno to blackmail me into paying your debts?”
My voice grew sharper, and Kimberly froze, her eyes wide with panic. It was clear I had hit the nail on the head. She was definitely trying to use Juno for money,
Wiping away the tears on my face, I took a deep breath and turned to the police. “I don’t know this wornan.
“She’s just my ex–husband’s mother, and she’s never had much of a relationship with Juno. The idea of a grandmother missing her grandson is just absurd in this case”
I paused, then spoke more clearly, “She’s addicted to gambling and buried in debt. Her son, my ex–husband, once asked me for money, but I refused. Now I have reason to believe she’s trying to kidnap my son to force me into paying her debts.
“Even if it’s not exactly trafficking, it’s still kidnapping
Kimberly started to panic: “Sylvia, how can you be so heartless? You used to call me ‘Mom? You could get me out of this with just one word!”
“I did call you “Mom,” 1 snapped. “But don’t forget, I’m still Juno’s mother!” I raised my voice. “I won’t let this go!”
Kidnapping a
za child li
I like this, especially in public, was a serious crime.
I took Juno, Martha, and Clara back home. The shock from the night’s events kept us all on edge, unable to relax
exhausted. Every time he tried to sleep, he would wake up startled, and
I bathed Juno and held him close, trying to soothe him. The poor thing was e my heart broke with every little tremor.
I thought. At least my child is safe. At least… he is unharmed.
Even though everything that had happened at home left me shaken, I still had to force myself to deal with work.
I set up my office at home, staying by Juno’s side every moment. I even arranged for the best child psychologist through a friend to help Juno recover as soon as possible.
my door.
But just as I was trying to find my footing again, Dexter showed up at my
Seven days after the incident, I went to the office to drop off the materials for Neva. I never procrastinated and I never showed up
As I was heading into the building, Dexter blocked my way. “So, you finally showed up. Why won’t you sign the settlement? Why won’t y Kimberly?”
The sight of him made my anger flare. I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
you release
“Dexter, do you even have any shame?” I shouted. “Your mother tried to use your son to blackmail me over her gambling debts, and now you’re acting like she’s the victim‘
“If I had known you were such a mom’s boy, why the hell would I have married you or had a child with you?”
A flash of discomfort crossed Dexter’s face, and he mumbled, Juno’s fine, right? Why can’t you just let it go?
“What’s it going to do for you or Juno if my mom gets in trouble? This is just a family matter, Sylvia. You don’t need to air our dirty laundry.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. Without warning. I slapped him hard across the face.
Dexter stood there, stunned, like he didn’t even know what hit him.
