ter <b>355 </b>


    In Jordyn’s world, there was no room for her, Trevor, and Wynn to coexist.


    She had asked Celeste to go to herpetition without the intention <b>of </b>inviting Wynn, which made it clear that she understood the reality of the situation.


    On a day that mattered to her, Jordyn chose her. But Celeste didn’t feel much joy about that.


    Thepetition was scheduled for next weekend.


    Normally, Celeste was free on weekends. Besides, when a child participated in apetition, that was considered a big deal in any family. As a parent, it’d only be natural to prioritize the child.


    In the past, Celeste would have done just that–put Jordyn first. Everything else would’ve had to take a backseat. But now…


    It wasn’t like she didn’t notice the hope in Jordyn’s eyes. Even so, she replied vaguely, “I’ll see when the time.es. If nothing urgentes up, I’ll attend.”


    In the past six months, Jordyn had made so many calls to Celeste and voiced so many wishes that she had already figured out a pattern.


    Whenever Celeste used uncertain phrases like “when the timees” or “if“, then it almost certainly meant she wasn’t going.


    Hearing this, Jordyn’s nose started to sting, and her eyes turned red. She let go of Celeste’s hand, sniffled softly, and just said “Okay,” without another word.


    Celeste noticed all of it. She wasn’tpletely unaffected of course not. But even so, she didn’t n to change her mind.


    She reached out, intending to ruffle Jordyn’s hair before leaving. But the moment her hand moved closer, Jordyn turned her head away with a pout.


    Celeste paused, retracted her hand, and didn’t try tofort her. She simply turned and walked away.


    Trevor watched the whole thing happen. He didn’t try to stop Celeste, nor did he say anything to persuade her. Jordyn kept her little face turned away from Celeste, refusing to look at her, but she was still listening.


    When she heard the sound of high heels getting farther and farther away, and realized Celeste had really left- without even trying to coax her–she finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.


    She turned and threw her arms around Trevor’s leg, wailing in tears.


    Her fencing coach was stunned.


    Jordyn was a lot more mature and intelligent than most kids her age. She was lively and had her own opinions. Over the past six months, many of the kids at the fencing academy had cried countless times.


    But this was the first time he’d ever seen her cry.


    That morning, Celeste had agreed to every one of Jordyn’s requests, speaking to her so gently and attentively.


    He never expected that, even knowing how hurt and disappointed the child was, Celeste could still walk away without even looking back.


    The feeling he got from Celeste was as if she didn’t want her daughter anymore. That kind of heartlessness really shocked him.


    If it were any other man, he would’ve probably already gotten angry and confronted the ex–wife for treating their daughter like this.


    But Trevor’s face showed none of that–no me, no argument, nothing. He just quietly watched Celeste walk away.


    Then he bent down, picked up Jordyn, and gently wiped her tears with his fingertips. “Feeling that upset?” Jordyn clung to his neck and cried even harder, sobbing, “I’m sad and Mom doesn’t care… She just… just left…” Trevor said softly, “Mm, I saw.”


    Jordyn let out a louder wail and cried even harder. “Mom… Does Mom not love me anymore…?”


    Trevor chuckled, “Of course not.”


    Jordyn looked at him through her tears. “R–Really?”


    Trevor took out a handkerchief and wiped her nose. “I promise.”


    *


    Thatforted her a bit, but when she remembered that Celeste had left withoutforting her at all, she started crying again. “Then why didn’t Mom try to make me feel better…?”


    Trevor pinched her soft, chubby cheek and smiled without answering.


    Jordyn pointed at him angrily. “I–I’m this upset and y–you’re stillughing…”


    Trevor took the backpack her coach handed over.


    He carried her while holding her bag and started walking out. “Then how about I take you out for a meal to make it up to you?”


    “I don’t want that. I just want Mom.”


    “That’s out of my control. You saw it yourself–when ites to your mom, I have


    no say.”


    Jordyn couldn’t say anything.


    Chapter <b>356 </b>