Chapter 2 — Not Your Concern

Renee's POV

It was like a knife had plunged itself deep into my chest. I knew I wasn't the perfect wife or mother, but I thought I at least deserved some basic respect and courtesy.

I just couldn't believe that I was being robbed of being there for my child and celebrating his new milestone of entering a new grade because I was fat. It was like the work, dedication, loyalty, and love I poured into this family over the years meant nothing.

Everything I did for them, everything I gave them, everything I sacrificed…

It meant nothing because of how I looked.

I could take the punches of my appearance; it's not like I hadn't heard it before.

But to be told I wasn't wanted and that I was worthless by those I loved…?

I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone.

I watched as Julian walked with his classmates out towards the courtyard. It ached to see him so carefree of our earlier encounter; like he didn't care how much his words had hurt me.

"You said that was your nanny?" One of them asked. "If she does all the work in the house, why is she still fat?"

"Because she's lazy." Julian shrugged his shoulders. "All she does is boss me around, and not do anything herself. She wants to make me do all the work!"

I furrowed my eyebrows at his words. Boss him around…? Make HIM do all the work…?! I wanted to teach him responsibility so that he didn't have to rely on others because I knew he was capable! 

"I wish I could live in a big mansion like that and not do anything!" The other classmate pouted. "She sounds lucky!"

"She's not lucky! She's just a fat, lazy loser!" Julian scoffed. "I don't want her here! I just wish she would go away!"

Another classmate had walked up at that point. "Hey… Be nice…" She seemed a little shy. "Your mommy said that your nanny came to make sure you wouldn't be alone… Why are you being so mean?"

A small sense of relief washed over me at the little girl's kind gesture. It seemed like she was the only one with some sense! Were all the other parents like this? Teaching their children nonsense about looking down on other people based on their looks?

A pang of hurt pinched my chest at hearing Julian say such ugly things… 

I could maybe tolerate it from Gregory… Maybe. Despite how he treated me, a part of me somehow loved and cared for him.

But for those words to come from Julian's mouth? From a child? Where was the sweet little bean that used to run up to me with love in his voice when he'd call me mommy?

I looked up and saw Julian's face get flustered at getting called out by the little girl. Even the other classmates that had joined in seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Julian shook his head. "W-whatever… I'm gonna go get my water bottle…"

I watched as Julian stomped past me and back to his classroom. Instinctively, I followed him. I just wanted to know why…

"Julian." I called for him, not trying to sound like I was breaking on the inside. "We need to talk, please."

Julian spun around. His eyes were wide and for a moment, there was a bit of fear in them. Although, it seemed less of being genuinely scared of me, and more like being scared to be seen with me.

"W-what are you doing here, mom?"

So now I was 'mom' to him?

I took a deep breath before finally responding to him. "Julian, what happened out there? Why did you tell those people I was your nanny? What was that all about?"

"You need to l-leave..." Julian stammered, avoiding my question. "The teacher said you're not allowed to be here."

"Julian." I said his name a little bit more firmly, but there was a tinge of hurt in my voice. "I know I raised you to understand that words hurt just as much as physically hitting someone. What you said was completely out of line and disrespectful."

"It's the truth!" Julian stomped his feet as he still walked backwards. "You're not as good as Auntie Camille, and I don't want people to see you here with me!"

His words hit my chest like I'd been punched. "J-Julian..."

"Leave me alone! I only want Auntie Camille! Not a fat cow like you. And you'll never be my real mommy while she's here! Go—"

Julian hadn't been paying attention to where he was going and bumped into the shelf behind him. Before he could react, a box from the top shelf had fallen and was hurtling towards him.

"NO!" I didn't even think twice as I pushed Julian out of the way and took the brunt of the impact. A searing pain shot up my spine as tears blurred my vision. My body hit the floor so hard that it knocked the wind out of me.

I rolled on my side and tried to gain my bearings. My vision stabilized just enough for me to be able to see Julian backed against the wall.

The color drained from his face and he looked horrified, but other than that, it looked like nothing hit him.

He was safe and wasn't hurt.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but the burning sensation engulfed my lungs when I did so. This pain was something else, but it would've paled in comparison had Julian gotten hit. Who knows how much worse his injuries would've been then!

But now I had to try and pull my focus into getting help myself… The fire that shot up my body was starting to become unbearable. "Hnnng…" I felt my vision fading. "H-help... someone..."

"Oh my goodness!" Someone exclaimed. "What happened? Ma'am are you okay?"

It felt like lava had shot through my limbs as the person tried to sit me up. "B-box... f-fell..."

When I opened my eyes, I saw a woman in blue scrubs and a cap. A school nurse, probably. But when I looked around and saw that Julian was nowhere in sight, it broke off another piece of my heart.

Her eyebrows knitted into a concerned expression. "Let's go ahead and get you checked out, okay? A heavy box like that can do serious damage. Let's get you back—"

Before the nurse could finish, Gregory stormed into the room. For a moment, I thought maybe he was here for me. Had Julian gone to tell him? Maybe I'd overreacted earlier…

But that illusion was shattered once I finally noticed Camille cradled in his arms like she was some fragile doll.

"Nurse, please!" Gregory began to plead with a pained expression on his face. "My wife, she needs help! Please help Camille first!"