A Heart Frozen Over

"Mommy, will you play hide and seek with me for a little while?"When the sweet voice of my son, Archie Palmer, hit my ears, my body stiffened instantly.I looked down, and there was five-year-old Archie, lying on my lap and staring up at me with his big, round eyes.The warmth from his little body was strikingly real. This wasn't some deathbed hallucination.I was truly reborn.I returned to the day when Archie tricked me into going to the balcony for a game of hide and seek, then locked me outside to freeze to death.In my previous life, my relationship with Archie was anything but good.He liked his easygoing father, Brandon Palmer, but he couldn't stand me meddling in his business.So whenever I spoke to him, he'd lose it—smashing things, kicking, and hitting me.The worst time was when he picked up an ashtray from the table and threw it at my head with all his strength.I ended up with eight stitches at the hospital.After being discharged, I gave Archie a good beating,

Archie had said, "Daddy and I are the men of the house. Mommy, you're just our servant. You have to take good care of us. Only then will I make money to support you in the future."…When I still didn't respond, Archie started to panic. He was shivering with his little arms wrapped tightly around his body.The snow outside grew heavier, and flakes began sticking to his hair.He dropped to his knees in front of the glass door, and his attitude toward me took a complete turn."I'm sorry, Mommy. I won't play hide and seek anymore. Please let me in."I won't eat junk food again, Mommy. I won't play on my tablet at night either. I don't like Ms. Cole anymore. I won't ask for her to be my mom… Please, let me in…"I'm so cold, Mommy…"See? He understood everything perfectly. He knew exactly what would make me angry, but he did it anyway.I watched as his little face turned purple from the cold. Only then did I slowly unlock the door.It wasn't because I felt sorry for him. I just co

Archie screamed at me, his voice hoarse with rage. But with an IV still in his hand, every violent movement yanked at the tube, causing his blood to backflow.Sure enough, within seconds, the IV line turned red.At that moment, Brandon stepped out of the bathroom. A damp stain marked his pants, and his expression carried a look of deep satisfaction.Before he could fully indulge in whatever happened in there, the chaos in the ward snapped him back to reality.Meanwhile, Ellie clutched her head, her eyes red as she looked at him. "Mr. Palmer—"I cut her off with a tearful plea, "Call the doctor, honey! Archie's blood is backing up!"Brandon hesitated, glancing between Ellie and Archie. In the end, between his lover and his son, he chose the latter.Ellie's expression darkened. With a sharp stomp of her heels, she turned and walked out.The moment Ellie left, Archie threw another tantrum, pounding his fists against me."This is all your fault! Bad mommy! You made Ms. Cole leave!

Kenna's idea of having fun was going to a bar.When she pulled up in front of the bar, I hesitated for a moment, feeling self-conscious about my simple outfit.Kenna sighed. She pulled out some makeup from her bag and began giving me a makeover."Get a grip, Regina Foley! Just because you got married and had a kid doesn't mean you lose yourself. You used to be the belle of our department. When did you ever show hesitation in a place like this back in college? Do you remember the promises you made me before you got married?"Memories flooded back, clear as if it were yesterday.Back then, I pounded my chest and swore to Kenna, "Even if I get married, I, Regina Foley, will still be myself. I only belong to myself! If Brandon ever makes me unhappy or betrays me, I'll kick him to the curb! I won't be trapped by a man, and I won't lose myself in marriage!"My eyes started to well up with tears.Before the tears could fall, Kenna pointed her finger at my nose. "Don't you dare smudge t

The footage from the surveillance cameras showed Ellie being even more promiscuous than she was in the hospital.After finishing what I needed to do, I left straight away.As I was heading downstairs, I bumped into Brandon, who rushed over looking flustered.Brandon, who always looked neat and meticulous, had his suit buttons undone and his tie crooked today. When he saw me, his brows furrowed in frustration."What the hell are you doing here, Regina? Don't you know Archie is sick? He's covered in red spots and is crying at home, looking for his mom!"He never disappointed me. Before I could shove the evidence in his face, he always played the victim. But deep down, he was already rotten to the core.I smiled at him. "I have shares in the company too. If your mistress can come, why can't I? Also, the mom that Archie's looking for isn't me, it's Ellie, your lover!" I said this loudly enough for everyone around to hear.It was working hours, and the entire floor was quiet. My voic