Chapter 3

Maria hailed a cab at the curb. While she waited, she started searching for flights, planning to go straight to the airport.

At this time, her doctor called.

"Mrs. Shaw, when are you going abroad for your conservative treatment?"

Maria stood under the dim streetlight, her silhouette long and thin on the pavement. She looked at her shadow and said, "Right now. I'm heading to the airport already."

The doctor's voice was urgent. "You can't! You have a brain tumor, so the pressure inside your brain isn't normal. Getting on a plane might cause a lot of problems. You need a pressure test first."

Maria froze. How could this be…? She had already decided to disappear tonight, and now, she couldn't leave after all.

The doctor sounded relieved that he had reached her in time. "Come to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup. I'll assess whether you're fit to fly."

The doctor hung up, and the cab arrived.

The driver rolled down his window. "Miss, are you getting in?"

Maria hesitated, then said, "Yes. Take me to the Blue Moon Hotel."

She made a point of avoiding any hotel linked to Richard. After she checked in, she soaked in a long, hot bath and closed her eyes as she thought about her situation.

If flying was impossible, she could book passage on a ship and leave by sea. It would be slower, but she could see the scenery and get there in three to five days. It wasn't so bad.

Her nose suddenly itched as she thought about it. Fighting off the drowsiness, she looked down and saw little blooms of blood spreading in the tub. She pinched her nose to stop it and sat still for a while, then got up and went to bed.

Her phone was quiet all night.

Maybe Richard had read the letter and was glad she had given the spot to Eleanor.

She lay down on the bed and fell asleep without realizing it.

The next morning, she packed and was about to head to the hospital when her phone rang. The caller ID read "Mrs. Jones."

Maria paused. It was Jonathan's homeroom teacher.

"Hello, Mrs. Jones?" Maria answered.

Mrs. Jones' tone was urgent as she explained to Maria, "Is this Jonathan's mother? Can you come to the school right away? Jonathan got into a fight and scratched another child's forehead. The other parents are here and want to speak with you."

Maria's heart tightened with maternal instinct. "What about Jonathan? Is he hurt?"

"He's not hurt, but he won't apologize. The other parents are really upset," Mrs. Jones said helplessly.

It was a weekday, and Richard would be busy. Maria had always handled school matters.

She told herself she could do this one last thing as Jonathan's mother. She couldn't bear to imagine the boy facing teachers and angry parents alone.

And so, Maria went straight to the school. She got out of the car and hurried to Mrs. Jones's office, picturing Jonathan lonely and scared.

Before she even entered, a clear, sweet voice reached her.

"Jonny didn't start it. He was scolded for not doing his homework. When he got upset, your child kept teasing him for not getting a gold star. That's why they fought. How can the fault be with Jonny, Mr. Cook?"

Maria's heart skipped a beat as she listened. She stepped inside and took in the scene, her breathing turning rapid.

Eleanor stood in a light-colored strapless dress, her hair half tied by a white ribbon, looking impossibly graceful even from the back. Richard stood beside her in a black suit, shoulders broad. Jonathan, the child Maria dedicated her whole life to, was hugging Eleanor's hand, leaning into her.

The three of them looked like a happy family.

The other parent, calmed by Eleanor's words, dropped the complaint.

Eleanor bent and ruffled Jonathan's hair. "Jonny, why don't you apologize to Sam?"

Jonny pouted, but went over and apologized.

Both families reconciled.

The teachers around them sighed in relief and looked at Eleanor with admiration. "Mrs. Shaw, you really have a way with children. Jonathan wouldn't apologize at all before. All you need to say is a few words, and he listens."

Richard's expression tightened with a frown. "She's not…"

Mr. Cook laughed. "Mr. Shaw, you're lucky to have a wife like her. Mine's a real handful! You two are perfect together. I wish you both plenty of happiness."

Richard's face darkened. "She's not his mother."

Eleanor's smile froze and she hugged Jonathan a little closer.

Jonathan blurted, "She may not be my real mom, but she's way better!"

The room became awkward, and Richard shot Jonathan a warning glare.

Maria watched from the doorway, chest tight and light-headed. She gripped the doorframe and watched it all. She felt like she was wilting, a woman dying from her sickness. Everyone she had thought of as family was slipping away, all running toward the blooming Eleanor.

Jonathan suddenly turned and saw her.

"Mom!" he shouted; he broke away from Eleanor and ran out.

When Richard saw Maria, he walked straight over. For a moment, Maria was stunned.

Jonathan yanked at Maria's sleeve, eyes full of anger. "It's all your fault! Why didn't you make me do my homework last night? If you did, I wouldn't have missed the gold star. Sam wouldn't tease me, and I wouldn't have fought with him! It's all your fault!"

He pulled and shoved her. Even a child could apply a lot of force; Maria felt faint and staggered, almost falling. Someone caught her—she found herself in Richard's arms.

He lowered his head and glared at Jonathan. "Apologize to your mother! Who said you can treat her like that? Not making you do your homework? You're old enough to do your homework by yourself!"

At home, Richard had always used strict discipline. Jonathan was afraid of an angry Richard, and he instantly trembled and went quiet. His eyes were red, but he pouted and still refused to apologize.

Maria steadied herself and gently pushed Richard away.

Noticing she wasn't doing alright, he looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

Maria shook her head.

Richard squeezed her hand to reassure her and said sternly, "Jonathan, apologize."

Jonathan shuddered.

Behind Jonathan, Eleanor's eyes narrowed as she looked at the way Richard and Maria's hands clasped. Then she quickly looked away, stepping forward with a smile.

"Richard, don't be so harsh. Jonny just got scolded after a fight, and he's still upset. I'm sure his mom won't hold it against him, right?"

Maria looked up and met Eleanor's eyes. Now that they were close, she could smell a faint citrus scent on Eleanor—the same scent she had noticed on Richard the night before. Her heart shuddered as she reflexively pulled her hand away from Richard.

Eleanor smiled widely and didn't seem to mind Maria not answering her. "Richard, this is my first time meeting Jonathan's mom. Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Richard froze, taken aback.