<b>Chapter </b><b>9 </b>
After Ryan took over <b>the </b>Pine Ridge mess, he handled it like a pro and brought in new investors.
Grandfather couldn’t shut up about how amazing Ryan was, so he called this big family meeting.
Time to make it official–Ryan was taking over everything from Jake.
Meeting day, all the Ashford bigshots showed up.
Jake sat there looking like death warmed over, like some prisoner waiting for his execution.
Sophia was standing behind him, pale as hell and shaking like a leaf.
Grandfather cleared his throat, about to make his big announcement.
That’s when I stood up.
“Grandpa, before you make this official, I think everyone needs to see something.”
Every single person in that room was staring at me.
Jake red at me like he wanted to murder me: “ra, what kind of bullshit are you trying to pull now?!”
I ignored his ass and handed the sh drive to Margaret.
Soon, the massive TV screen lit up with my room’s video footage.
There was Sophia, spewing her poison at my little boy.
“…she didn’t want you before, she threw you away like garbage…”
“…she hates us, she might put poison in your food…”
“…only Mama Sophia really loves you…”
“…Carson and Jake are going to be mine…”
Every sick word echoed through that huge room<b>, </b>crystal fucking clear.
Everyone in that room went pale as shit.
Carson saw it too, staring at the screen all confused, then looking at Sophia like he didn’t know who she was anymore.
“Mama Sophia… why… why did you lie to me?<b>” </b>
Sophia’s face went from white to green, her legs gave out, and she dropped to her knees.
“No… no, it’s not what it looks like! Grandpa, Jake, let me exin! I just love Carson so much, I was scared someone would take him away!”
She was babbling like a crazy person,
Grandfather’s face was darker than a storm cloud.
<b>Hell </b>Yeah Forgot the Other Woman My Smart House Was Cheating On Me<b>! </b>
<b>12.8</b><b>% </b>
The old man cared about one thing above everything else–how his family’s kids got raised.
Hell, even his own sons had to stay in line.
That’s why he never actually kicked me out, even when he couldn’t stand me.
These people spent ten years testing my character–you think they don’t give a damn about their own standards?
Sophia just crossed a line you don’t cross with him.
I walked right up to Jake and stared him down.
“Still think she’s such a great nanny?”
He looked at me, his mouth opening and closing, but nothing came out.
I turned to face Grandfather and gave him a little bow.
“Look, I know I’m nobody. Just some poor girl who doesn’t fit in here. But even trash like me knows you don’t turn a kid against his
own mom.”
“I did everything you wanted for ten years. Passed your twisted little test. And what’d I get?”
“Lies. You took my son away. This crazy bitch poisoned his mind while you all just watched.”
My voice wasn’t loud, but every single word hit that room like a bomb.
“I’m not here begging anyone for help.”
I looked at Carson–my boy.
“I just need you to know something, baby. Mommy never left you. Ever.”
Then <b>I </b>told him about the fireflies.
“Remember our old ce? Those summer nights when fireflies came inside? You loved them so much. I caught a whole jar for you. Made our room glow like stars.<b>” </b>
That was our story. Just ours.
He was so little then.
Maybe he’d remember. Maybe not.
I looked at him and waited.
Carson–my little boy–just stared at me with those big eyes filling up with tears.
He pulled away from Sophia but didn’t run to me either.
Just stood there<b>, </b>scared and confused.
I got it. Kid’s whole world just got flipped upside down.
The “good mom” he trusted was a liar. <b>The </b><b>“</b>bad mom” he was scared of was telling him she loved him.
<b>13:19 </b>
Hell Yeah, Forget the Other Woman. <b>My </b>Smart House Was Cheating On Mel
<b>13.0</b><b>% </b>
That’s a lot for a little kid to handle.
But I had time now. No rush.