Chapter 3

“Mommy, what are we having for lunch? Can I have chicken nuggets?” Will’s voice rang high with excitement as they left the kindergarten.

Macy smiled fondly at her son, holding his hand. “Okay, but you’re getting carrots sticks and fruit with them.”

His expression brightened. “Fruit snacks?”

“No, baby. Real fruit. Like apples or grapes.” She corrected gently.

Will’s little face scrunched up at that news. “Okay.” He said with a long suffering sigh. “I guess I can eat those.”

Amused, Macy drew his bag higher on her shoulder. Her son was the most dramatic five year old she had ever met. He was also so kind and considerate, and incredibly intelligent for his age. Just looking at him made her heart swell with pride. She still couldn’t believe that she had given birth to such a perfect child.

It hadn’t been easy, juggling school and work as well as a baby, but somehow she has done it. Not once had she regretted giving birth to him. From the moment he had been handed over to her, she had cherished him entirely.

It was still difficult at times. Money was still tight, and she had to work long hours to put food on the table, but she was doing her best. She was content with her life in a way that she hadn’t been five years ago.

“Mommy, look! A butterfly!” Will squealed, letting go of her hand and running forward. Macy smiled watching him chase the butterfly all the way across the street. She didn’t call him to her since there was no reason to, the road was free of cars.

She beckoned him back to her and he returned, beaming. Just as he reached her side of the street, a sleek car drove by. It seemed like the driver didn’t have control over the car since the car swerved and skidded in their direction. Before Macy could react, it hit her and her Will, knocking them both down.

She scrambled up with a low groan, ignoring her scrapped hands and knees. The impact hadn’t been too hard on her, but on Will… he was just a baby.

She rushed to his little form anxiously. “Will? Are you okay?” her eyes widened when she saw the blood gushing from his arm. “You’re bleeding!”

“It hurts, mommy.” He sobbed, holding his injured arm close to himself.

The driver of the car, a well dressed woman in her middle twenties stepped out of it, a thunderous scowl on her face. “Watch where you’re going next time. It could have been worse.”

“Are you being for real? You fucking hit us! My son is bleeding. He needs to go to a hospital.” Macy yelled incredulously.

“That sounds like your problem, not mine.” She returned haughtily. “And he crossed the street at the last minute. If anything, you’re the one at fault for not watching your kid.”

Macy wanted to argue with the woman, but then Will whimpered next to her. Ripping her a new one would have to wait. He needed to be treated, quickly.

Memorizing the plate number of the car, she rose to her feet with Will beside her. “Give me your phone number.”

“Why would I give you my–” The woman began but Macy cut her off.

“Give it to me, or I’ll fucking call the police. There’s a street cam, it caught everything.” Macy growled.

The woman hesitated, before reaching into her pocket and handing her a business card. Then, as Macy was calling a taxi, she got in her car and drove off.

“Bitch.” She muttered under her breath, entering the taxi with her son. “Take us to the closest hospital, fast.” She said to the driver. “My son is injured.”

“Make sure not to get blood on my seats.” He grunted, driving away.

“We won’t.” Macy replied succinctly, glaring holes at the back of his head until he muttered an apology.

Mercifully, there was no traffic and they got there within ten minutes. As they rushed in, they were met by a nurse who assisted them immediately.

After exchanging necessary information, Will was treated, his injured arm bandaged. Thankfully, he hadn’t broken anything. Since he had lost a bit of blood, he needed to get a blood transfusion after getting his blood drawn, among other medications.

“He’ll need to stay overnight.” The nurse that had assisted them earlier informed. “You can go to the counter and make payments for his bills while he receives the transfusion.”

“Okay.” Macy agreed. “Thank you for your help.” Looking down at Will, she smiled. “How are we feeling, champ?”

“Tired. And funny.” He yawned. “No more pain.”

“The nice nurse gave you something to make it go away.” Macy informed.

“She did? I'll have to say thank you later.” His voice was slow, sluggish. “What about my chicken nuggets and carrots. And apples? I’m hungry.”

“I’ll get them for you soon.” She promised.

After making sure that Will was okay, she went to the counter and asked for the bill. The amount made her head swim. A look at her account balance made her heart sink. She didn’t have the money to pay the bills.

What was she going to do?

Biting her lip, she returned to her the area where Will was. Macy called the number on the card, fidgeting on the spot as the number rang.

“Hello?” The same woman replied.

“You need to send me money for the bills. Now.”

“You must think I’m an idiot.” She hissed. “I’m not paying shit.”

“Yes you are.” Macy’s voice rose with each word she said. “My son is injured because you ran him over. You need to pay his bills, since you caused it.”

“You didn’t watch your son, it’s not my fault you’re a bad mother.” The line went dead in her ear.

“Hello? Hello?! Damn it!” Macy cursed, loud enough that some people looked in her direction. She ignored them, running a hand through her hair at frustration brimmed in her. How as she supposed to come up with the money?

She glanced at Will’s bed momentarily, then did a double take, alarm running down her spine.

His bed was empty.

***

“I wish you would marry Annette soon.”

Graeme resisted the urge to roll his eyes, mainly out of respect for his mother. He was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. They were on their way to his mother’s hospital appointment and yet she was still going on about him getting married. It was exasperating.

“I just want a grandchild, Graeme. Just one. Is that too much to ask?”

“If you want a child so badly then I’ll get you one.” He replied, growing irritated.

She sighed beside him as they walked down the hallway with bodyguards behind them. “I don’t want a child. I want your child.”

He made no reply to that. He had no interest in having children.

People whispered as they walked past them, but Graeme was used to it. Being a filthy rich tycoon, gossip came with the territory. It didn’t disturbing him in the slightest. Let them talk.

After all, it was true that he one of the wealthiest people on the planet. He had inherited his father’s company after his death, building it from the modest company it was now to the large conglomerate it was now, building his own investment company alongside it. He was worth hundreds of billions, and was the youngest richest man under thirty, as he was twenty-nine years old.

On top of that, he was undoubtedly blessed with good looks, which only increased his appeal. Women and men wanted him, tried to throw themselves at him every time for a chance to date him.

Unfortunately, his mother was desperate for him to procreate. Even now, she sighed beside him as people stared in envy and awe at them while they moved past.

“They say you’re rich. What good is all that money, when there is no child to spend it on? It will become waste paper in the end!” She lamented loudly.

Graeme shot her a sharp look. “Mom.”

“Why won’t you marry Annette? You’ve been dating for years. Marry her and have a grandson, that’s all I ask.” She pleaded.

“Mom.” He repeated, but she ignored him.

“Plus she’s from a good family, is beautiful and lovely.” His mother continued, going on and on about it.

“Annette and I ended things.” He disclosed curly, tired of listening to her grating words.

She came to a halt, looking at him with surprised brown eyes, the same shade as his own. “Why? What did you do?”

“Why did you assume I did something?” He asked, mildly offended.

“Because you’re you, Graeme.” She said dryly.

“I’m me?” He echoed, growing increasingly incredulous.

“Arrogant and short-tempered. Domineering. You got that from your father.” She waved it aside. “But what happened? Why did you two break up.”

“Well, I didn’t do anything. We just realized we don’t love each other and we decided it end it. It was mutual.”

She scowled at him. He could tell she was getting angry. “Who cares if you don’t love her? Did I love your father when I married him? Why would you break up with her!”

“I care. I care a lot.” He had seen exactly what a loveless marriage turned into, witnessed it all his life before his father passed. “Besides, you were forced into your marriage with dad. Look at how that turned out. Would you want the same for me? For me to be unhappy in my home?”

Her slight frame deflated, the sudden anger evaporating. “No. I’m sorry. I just…” She sighed again as they resumed their steps. “I just want a grandchild, Graeme. I don’t care if you get married. I just want a grandchild.”