Chapter15
Side story 1
After Charles and Evelyn divorce, the atmosphere in the Evans family remain gloomy for quite some time.
That unwelcome woman has finally left, but the anticipated relief
never comes.
Charles has always been a man of few words, and post–divorce, he has become even quieter.
He is busy with work, either on business trips or on his way to them. Even when he returns home, he often collapses into bed without a word.
Aaron, on the other hand, is blissfully unaware, dragging the nanny around, running here and there, and throwing tantrums whenever things don’t go his way.
But one day, he suddenly asks, “Where’s Mommy?”
The nanny doesn’t know how to respond.
Aaron is smart. He crawls under tables, searches through the closet, and looks in the garden, but finds nothing.
Hmm? Where does Mommy go?
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Children tend to forget quickly, but Aaron is clever. He can even vividly recall the last time he saw Evelyn.
That morning, before leaving, Evelyn has bent down with a smile and pats his head, saying, “Aaron, Mommy is leaving.”
“I used to wish you were a good and obedient child, but now I understand you’re different from me. You have the right to be willful.”
“In the days to come, I hope you’ll be happy.”
At that time, Aaron hasn’t taken those words to heart.
He has been annoyed by Evelyn’s lectures and resented her controlling ways.
But in this moment, as he remembers her words and looks around the vast villa, realizing there is no trace of Evelyn in any corner,
he finally begins to feel a twinge of sadness.
That evening, when Charles returns home, Aaron boldly takes hold of his hand.
“Dad, did you and Mommy have a fight?”
Charles stops in his tracks and looks down at him.
Aaron’s innocent face is scrunched up with concern. “Can’t you
apologize to Mommy and make up? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
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“I want to eat the Buffalo Wings Mommy makes! Can we have that tonight?”
Charles watches the self–assured look on Aaron’s face. At first, his expression is blank, but it gradually turns into a sinister smile.
“I didn’t have a fight with her; I divorced her.”
“Do you know what divorce means? It means she doesn’t want you anymore.”
“She won’t see you again. No matter what you want to do, she won’t care about you anymore.”
“She abandoned you, understand?”
It is as if he relishes the fear on Aaron’s face, repeating, “Aaron, she doesn’t want you. She’ll have other kids who are more obedient and cuter than you. In her heart, you no longer weigh anything.”
“You’re lying! Mommy wouldn’t abandon me!” Aaron screams, “You’re the one who’s been abandoned! Mommy said she loves me the most!”
“She lied to you!” Charles laughs, “Aaron, you’ve been fooled! The one who loves you the most? Huh, do you actually believe that?”
“Charles, what nonsense are you saying to a child?” Charles’s father rushes in, scooping up the crying Aaron and soothing him in a low voice. “Aaron, don’t cry; Daddy is just joking.”
“I want Mommy!”
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“Mommy has something to take care of; she just leaves for a few days. and will be back soon, okay?”
“No, no, no! I want to see her now!” Aaron struggles with all his might.
The sight of Aaron’s defiance is what Charles hates the most.
He coldly watches Aaron throw a tantrum, like an outsider with no emotion whatsoever.
Even when Aaron weeps so hard he nearly vomits, Charles merely frowns. He just turns to go upstairs.
Everything in the bedroom remains exactly as it has been before Evelyn left, including the large wedding photo on the wall.
Sometimes, Charles doesn’t even understand what he is thinking.
When he has a falling out with Vanessa, he has blocked her social media and deleted her phone number, tossing away any mementos in one go, determined to erase everything related to her from his life.
But with Evelyn, he hasn’t thrown anything away.
It is as if throwing things out would mean admitting defeat.
He struggles to maintain emotional stability, trying to prove that Evelyn’s departure hasn’t affected him at all.
He thinks, for him, divorcing a woman he doesn’t love is nothing but a relief.
All a year after divorcing Evelyn, Vanessa brings up the idea of marriage.
Charles remains silent for a moment before replying, “Let’s forget it;
Aaron was just asking about Evelyn recently. If I marry you, who knows how he’ll throw a fit.”
Vanessa looks into his eyes and asks, “Are you not marrying me just because of Aaron?”
“Is there any other reason?”
Vanessa smiles with a hint of sarcasm. “Charles, I have to give you a thumbs up. After all, you manage to deceive even yourself.“.
Charles doesn’t understand what he is deceiving himself about.
