Chapter 39: Accept It
JULIA
This week was shaping up to be one of the worst weeks of my life.
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First, I got drugged by a lunatic and was saved by my ex–who made me feel like his help was worth a million dollars.
Second, I found out that Heather, my ex’s current girlfriend, was born a day before my son. Not only that, but she invited me to the said party, which was going to be held at the Astor’s mansion.
And third, Mr. Matthews, the professor who used to adore all of my works, called my latest piece ‘mediocre,‘‘ lacking feeling,‘ and ‘should have never been passed.”
He didn’t even take my artwork and told me to pass him andther one by the end of next week!
I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. It was the middle of the week already, and I still hadn’t made my decision regarding Heather’s invitation. I also haven’t been able to restart the artwork as Mr. Matthews has instructed.
Even Sarah was on edge as she watched me, not knowing what to say.
Just then, Andy came
of his room with a wide and excited smile. I sat up straight and gestured for him to come to my lap. He happily skipped to where I was, and it was then that I noticed a rolled piece of paper in his hands. “What is that, bub?” I asked, caressing the paper gently.
He shyly bit his lip and opened it. My eyes widened when I saw a cute drawing of what looked like a…family?
Sarah nosily craned her neck to see it, too.
“Oof,” Sarah muttered. “You clearly didn’t take after your mom with that artwork.”
I clicked my tongue and glared at her as Andy hid the drawing behind him.
Sarah cleared her throat. “I’m joking, Andy!” she exclaimed, “It’s great! It’s the best drawing I’ve seen in my entire life.”
“You’re lying, Aunt Sarah,” he said in a dejected voice, causing Sarah to scratch the back of her neck.
“You’re aunt Sarah doesn’t have good taste, Andy,” I said, kneeling down to his level. “I think that’s obvious from her past boyfriends.”
Andy chuckled while Sarah exclaimed in offense. However, ignored her and focused on my son instead.
“What is this for, bub?” I asked, tucking his hair behind his ears.
“Do you think Daddy will like this? I’m planning on giving to him on my birthday.”
Sarah gasped while I pursed my lips. Well, there it was again. It seemed like I had no choice but to invite that asshole, do 17
“h’s really pretty,” I vaguely said, yet that was enough to make Andy brighten up. Somehow, that made me feel even guiltler because I hadn’t brought up the topic with Evan
“Thanks, Mommy,” he muttered. “I worked really hard on, and I wanted Dad to know that he’s welcome in our family. I hope he loves it”
“Of course,” I said, patting his bark
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Chapter 39 Accept t
“I’m going to color it more,” he giggled. “I’ll be right back, Mommy.”
He ran back to his room while Sarah and I were left in silence.
“I can say it now, right? It’s a bad drawing,” she deadpanned.
“Sarah,” I sighed.
“What? It’s the truth. He’s smart, though, so that makes up for it. Not everyone can be talented in art like you.”
get it,” I said, massaging the bridge of my nose. “Now, what am I going to do? I don’t have Evan’s number. I also can’t just go to Heather and ask, ‘Hey, I’m inviting your boyfriend to my son’s birthday party. He’s actually his son, too. Surprise!‘ That would be ridiculous,” I ranted.
“It is,” Sarah said, placing her fingers under her chin. “Now, weren’t you invited to her party?”
“Heather’s? Yeah,” I sighed. “I still can’t believe she was born a day earlier than Andy. It feels like the universe is playing a joke on me.”
“Why don’t you just go?” she asked, acting like it was a harmless suggestion.
My eyes instantly widened. “Are you insane?” I exclaimed “How can I go to her birthday party? It’s like presenting myself to the enemy’s territory!”
“Well, you have no other choice,” she said. “Either that, or you go up to Heather and ask the exact question you said just a while ago.”
I sighed, already in a dilemma.
“Think about it,” Sarah continued. I pursed my lips, knowing she was on the debate team when we were in high school. Despite not excelling in academics, she was great at arguing, unbelievably so.
“The party is at the Astor residences,” I muttered, pacing back and forth. “Not only will I face Heather, but 1 might just face Evan’s parents too.”
“Even better!” Sarah exclaimed. “Then, you not only get to show off in front of your ex’s current girlfriend, but you can also show your ex’s parents, who were awful to you in the past, that you’re doing much better!”
“That’s the problem, though,” I sighed. “I’m not doing better. Five years have passed, and I’m still financially unstable. I’m living on side jobs. I’m in school. I have a son to feed. I struggle to pay my share of rent!”
“And yet you’re doing great,” Sarah smiled, placing her hands only on my shoulder. “Money should not define someone’s worth. You work hard enough for the money that they have. However, the world does not merely reward money to the hard–working Luck and fate also influence that.”
I pursed my lips, believing in Sarah’s words.
“Now, you can think of all of that,” she continued. “Or you can think about Andy’s happiness when he sees that his dad has finally shown up.”
Her statement struck something in my heart.
“Alright,” I sighed after a while, “I still have a bad feeling about this, though,” I added. “Why is it that she suddenly invited me? We weren’t that close in the past, too, I have a feeling that she has some ulterior motive,”
Sarah smirked “Then, give them a show,” she said.
“I have a banging dress that would make you the star of the night instead of her.”
“Sarah,” I sighed. “That’s rude,”
Chapter 39. Accept it
“Don’t worry,” she said. “It’s simple. But with your beauty, I’m sure you’d blow everyone away.
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