CHAPTER THREE

Lucy’s POV 

Mom… He just called Blair mom.

In an ideal world, this would have just been some nightmare. 

She had to have been the ‘mom’ that the kids were referring to earlier. 

I was without words. I was confused, but most of all, I was hurt. A storm of emotions I couldn’t weather.. 

I got home. My body was still weak from everything I’d witnessed with Noah and Blair. 

I was so out of it, that I hadn’t even realized I was standing at the threshold of the living room until I heard Tom’s voice.

“Hey, you’re home,” he casually said.

When I looked up, I found Tom lying on the couch, his hands stained, and eyes on the TV.

I wanted to scream, but I held my composure as I asked, “Tom,” my voice low with worry. “Why was Blair…at the school?”

“Huh?” he absentmindedly replied.

“Blair,” I repeated more aggressively than before. “She was there. At the school. To pick up Noah.

His eyes widened, surprised, like he didn’t expect me to find out. 

“Lucy,” he sighed. “I was really busy today. You know I just finished a painting. I just needed a break. And I didn’t want to bother you. I know you’re busy too. Besides, Blair loves Noah.She was happy to.”

I nodded, but something felt off.  This didn’t feel like the first time. Had he been asking Blair to pick up our son behind my back? Without consulting me? 

“You should have called me, Tom. Noah is my son. Not Blair’s. He’s my responsibility. Not hers.” I added, my voice rising despite my efforts. 

I stalked into the kitchen angrily. Tom wasn’t far behind. I went into the fridge and popped open a bottle of water to cool down before he cornered me again.

“Lucy… are you mad?” he asked, his tone soft. 

Who wouldn’t be mad?  I wanted to tell him everything. About how I felt, but I didn’t even know how to begin to verbalize it.

“I’m sorry, honey. I promise I’ll ask you next time.” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “I love you. You know that.” 

I sighed. Every time I got upset, he always knew the right words to say to soften me up.

“By the way...” he added, chuckling.“I made your favorite- blueberry cheesecake.” he grinned.

My stomach fluttered. He knew I couldn’t resist his desserts. I’d been trying to avoid sweets, but Tom never made it easy for me. 

“Tom, you kno—” 

He cut me off. He already knew what I was about to say. 

“Come on, Lucy. You really going to waste this? You’re not fat, okay? You’re sexy in my eyes. Don’t let other people make you feel less.” he smiled. 

As I said; always the right words. I gave in, grabbed a spoon and started eating. 

Then the front door opened. Noah came, his smile bright. But his smile quickly dissipated into disgust when he saw me. Eating. 

 I was heartbroken.

“Eww, Mom! You’re eating again? Look at you. You’re already too fat like a pig...” he sneered. 

I froze, spoon mid-air, mouth partially agape. And fully embarrassed.

“Aunty Blair doesn’t eat so much like you,” he added. 

Double kill. I dropped the spoon. Shame hit me like a slap.  My own son thought I was disgusting. I hated how easily I gave in to Tom’s desserts. I hated how Noah looked at me with nothing but judgment. 

“Noah! That’s not how you treat your mom!” Tom reprimanded. 

Noah rolled his eyes. He wasn’t sorry, but annoyed.. 

“Tom.“ I said quietly, forcing a sad smile. “It-it’s fine,” I lied.

Yes, Noah was still young. But Tom was right that he shouldn't speak to me that way. Still, it was the truth, wasn’t it?

“Apologize to your mom.” Tom said. 

Noah huffed, staring irately at me. Like I was the reason he was in trouble. 

“I’m sorry, Mom.” he said coldly. 

It wasn’t sincere. But I shrugged it off. Telling myself, he was just a child, having a tantrum like children do. 

“It’s okay, Noah.” I smiled gently through the hurt I felt. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” 

“Fine.” his tone, low and sullen as he headed to his room for the night.

The next morning, I left work early to bake cookies for Noah. I was excited. I knew he couldn’t resist my candied, chocolate chip cookies. 

“I’ll go now. I don’t want to be late!” And rushed out of the door. 

I couldn’t stop smiling as I reached his school. I found a good spot where he could see me right away when the kids came out. I even wore a nice dress. I wanted to look presentable. 

Even a fat person can look pretty. Right?

Finally, the bell rang. I stood up eagerly. A few minutes later, I spotted Noah. 

“Noah!” I waved. “Honey! I brought you cookies!” I exclaimed, hoping that him knowing that would sweeten the pot of me picking him up instead of Blair.

He didn’t respond. He didn’t even glance at me. 

Then a boy beside him turned to me with a laugh. 

“You’re Noah’s nanny, right?” 

My chest tightened. Nanny? 

“No, hon.” I said. “I’m Noah’s mom.” 

“What? No, you’re not.” another boy replied, confused. 

I already knew who they meant. And my heart shattered all over again. 

“Yeah,” the first kid said. “Noah’s mom is a pretty lady with long blonde hair.” 

My throat went dry. They were talking about Blair. I ignored them and looked at Noah. He was glaring at me, and before I held his hand, he turned and ran without a word. 

“Noah!” I called, voice cracking.

He didn’t even look back. I stood frozen and humiliated. 

The boys walked away while still laughing. They laughed at him for lying, saying Blair was prettier, while calling me the fat nanny mom. I looked at myself and hated myself more. My efforts were useless. The dress didn’t work. I looked at the cookies and smiled bitterly. 

Fighting tears, I forced myself to head home. I couldn’t find Noah. Maybe he had gone ahead with friends. He’d done it before.  

As I unlocked the gate, my phone buzzed.

“Tom,” I answered, biting my lip. “I just got home. Noah ran off earlier—” 

“Lucy,” his voice cut in, panicked. “Noah’s been rushed to the hospital! He had an asthma attack, some kids teased him about lying. I’m on my way now.” 

I froze. The cookies slipped from my hands. 

This was all my fault.