<b>Chapter </b>214


    After Joshua’s little drama the night before, Xylia felt a lot less stressed.


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    She went back to her design, checked it over, and once she was satisfied, she sent it off to thepetition’s email.


    Then she went to bed.


    Early the next morning, Xylia arrived at the studio carrying the fabric she’d carefully selected in advance. She went straight to the cutting room and got to work.


    Since her wrist couldn’t handle long stretches ofbor, she spent the past two weeks tackling the project bit by bit each day–making sure every detail was perfect.


    At lunchtime, Josie came looking for her.


    Xylia figured Josie was inviting her to grab a bite, so she set her work aside.


    “Let’s go,” Josie said.


    “Not really, someone’s here to see you,” Josie replied.


    ‘Who woulde looking for me at noon?‘ Xylia wondered, a little confused.


    Josie stepped aside, revealing a small figure behind her.


    It was Sonny.


    Xylia instantly lost all interest in lunch.


    Sonny’s vest was all wrinkled, and his soft ck hair stuck out in every direction, like he hadn’t touched ab in days.


    His once chubby cheeks had slimmed down a lot in just a month.


    Anyone could tell Sonny hadn’t been having an easy timetely.


    “Mom,” Sonny called out softly, his voice trembling with tears, like he’d been through the worst.


    Xylia looked at him with a calm, almost indifferent stare. She didn’t show a single emotion in response to his vulnerability.


    Not even a flicker of sympathy crossed her face.


    “I’m not your mom,” she said firmly.


    Sonny’s eyes immediately turned red, tears welling up until they threatened to spill.


    “You’re my mom! You can’t pretend I’m not your kid!” he choked out, his voice wavering from emotion.


    10:09 <b>Sat</b>, Sep 20


    Unable to hold back, he rushed over and clung tightly to Xylia, his whole body shaking.


    In the six months since they’dst met, Sonny had shot up a little.


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    He used to barely reach Xylia’s waist, but now, when he hugged her, he could bury his head in her stomach.


    Xylia nearly toppled over when Sonny crashed into her.


    She was saved by the table behind her, which stopped her from falling.


    Xylia grabbed Sonny’s arms and yanked him off her, not gentle at all.


    She kept her tone strict. “I gave you the chance to choose your mother. You made your choice–don’t regret it now.”


    Xylia suspected that Tessa must have done something to Sonny, but honestly, she couldn’t care less anymore.


    The affection Xylia once held for Sonny hadpletely vanished; in the Ford family, even the shadow of that love was long gone.


    Sonny finally broke down, clutching Xylia’s hand with everything he had, tears spilling from his eyes.


    “Mom, I still want you to be my mom. I don’t want Tessa to be my mom anymore,” he sobbed, his voice cracking with desperation.


    Tessa had totally changedtely. She’d ignore Sonny most of the time, and when she did speak to him, she’dsh out <i>at </i>him with harsh words. If he messed up, she’d make sure he got punished.


    Sonny triedining to his dad, hoping for some backup, but it was pointless.


    Tessa would just cling to Connor’s arm and put on her sweet act, insisting it was all for Sonny’s own good.


    Connor was buried in work these days–the branch office was a mess, and things at the main office weren’t any better.


    He couldn’t care less about Sonny and Tessa’s drama.


    So, most of the time, Connor just took Tessa’s side, telling Sonny to stop being so stubborn and to listen to her.


    Feeling hurt and wronged, Sonny had finally run to Xylia, hoping she’d give him somefort.


    But now even Xylia didn’t want him anymore. Sonny felt like his whole world was falling apart.


    Xylia didn’t bother asking what happened. She wasn’t in the mood to know.


    She grabbed Sonny’s phone and called Connor.


    The phone rang for what felt like forever before Connor finally picked up.


    “Sonny, I’ve told you–if you need anythingtely, go to Tessa. I’m busy.”


    10:09 <b>Sat</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>


    Connor’s voice wasced with a chill.


    Xylia’s brows knit, a hint of impatience shing in her eyes.


    “Sonny’s here,” she said coldly. “Send someone to get him, now.”


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    After a few seconds of silence, Connor’s voice came through, a note of surprise creeping in. “Xylia?”


    “Mom, I don’t want to go back!” Sonny cried out, his voice breaking.


    Xylia didn’t even bother to respond to him. “Just tell me the address and I’ll make sure he gets home.”


    “You’re bringing Sonny here?” Connor asked, his tone a little surprised.


    “I’ll get him a cab,” Xylia replied tly.


    There was another pause, and then Connor’s voice came through, sounding a lot more subdued.


    “I’lle get him,” he said.


    “Hurry up,” Xylia said.


    She hung up the phone and handed it back to Sonny.


    Sonny didn’t grab the phone. Instead, he looked up at Xylia, his eyes shimmering with tears.


    “Mom, do you really not want me anymore?” Sonny asked, his voice barely holding together.


    Xylia just sighed and met his gaze, not softening at all. “You’re the one who pushed me away. This was all your


    choice.”


    She put the phone firmly back in Sonny’s hand and walked straight out of the office without looking back.


    Josie just watched silently the whole time, never once chiming in.


    As soon as she stepped out, her phone rang. It was Joshua.


    <i>“</i>Come down. I’m taking you out for lunch,” he said.


    Hearing Joshua’s voice, Xylia’s expression softened a little.


    But then she remembered her little shadow trailing behind her and felt a bit conflicted.


    Josie saw what was going on and stepped up, giving Sonny a reassuring pat on the shoulder.


    “Go hang out with your boyfriend,” she said to Xylia. “I’ll look after the kid, and when his dad shows up, I’ll


    hand him over.”


    Sonny jerked away from Josie’s touch, backing off like she’d burned him.


    Xylia shed Josie a grateful smile. “Really appreciate it, Josie!”


    After thanking Josie, she headed downstairs.


    :


    Sonny tried to follow Xylia, but Josie grabbed the back of his shirt and stopped him.


    “Where are you going?<b>” </b>she asked.


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    “I don’t need you watching me! I’m going to find my mom!” Sonny snapped, his voice full of frustration.


    Josie scoffed. “Funny, you didn’t care about your mom when you were ganging up with others to mess with her. Now it’s you getting picked on, and suddenly she’s all you want? Wow, what a loyal kid.”


    Sonny’s face flushed with embarrassment at her words.


    But Sonny stubbornly stuck out his chin, refusing to give in. “She’s my mom! Even if <b>I </b>screw up, she’s supposed to forgive me!”


    Josie rolled her eyes hard, thinking that having a brat like Sonny was probably Xylia’s life’s biggest headache.


    “Mom? More like you treat her like your maid!” Josie shot back, totally losing patience. She grabbed him and hauled him straight toward the office.


    “Xylia finally caught a bit of happiness, so if you mess that up for her, don’t me me if <b>I </b>start bullying kids,” she snarked.


    “Let go of me! You’re such a meanie!” Sonny shouted, thrashing around as hard as he could.


    But at the end of the day, he was just a little kid–no way he could overpower an adult like Josie.


    Josie hauled him straight back into the office, showing him absolutely no mercy.


    Xylia practically bounced downstairs, catching sight of Joshua standing outside the shop with his back to her.


    Sunlight poured over his tall, lean frame, making him look every bit like her own guardian angele to rescue her.


    A grin curled at Xylia’s lips <b>as </b>she dashed over, slipping her hand into his before he even had a chance to turn around.


    “Let’s go! So, what’s for lunch?” she chirped, her voice bright and yful.


    Seeing her so happy, Joshua couldn’t help but smile back.


    “Guess,” he said, teasing.


    Whenever they had a meal together, Joshua was always the one who picked the restaurant. It was like opening a blind box every time–yet somehow, he always nailed her favorite spot.


    Xylia thought for a second, then grinned. “Datonese food?”


    Joshua didn’t answer. Instead, he just intertwined his fingers with hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.


    10:09 <b>Sat</b>, Sep 20


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    “You’ll see when we get there,” he said, his voice full of mystery.


    He was being mysterious again.


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    But Xylia didn’t mind at all. She justughed and walked off with him, chatting and joking the whole way.


    Up on the second floor, Sonny stood by Xylia’s office window, watching her and Joshua walk off together. His big, round eyes were filled with amazement, stunned by what he saw.


    ‘When was thest time Mom ever looked that happy?‘ Sonny wondered, a mix of surprise and longing churning in his chest.


    10:09 Sat, <b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>